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Technical SEO Checklist

A comprehensive guide covering crawlability, indexing, site speed, mobile optimization, schema markup, and more. Ensure your website is technically optimized for search engines and users alike.

Technical SEO Checklist
SEO Strategy

Why Technical SEO Matters

The content strategy section highlights the significance of content in the rebuild process. It emphasizes the need to assess existing content, structure new content, formulate an SEO-driven content strategy, strategically place call-to-actions (CTAs), and consider multilingual or localization needs. Each phase contributes to a holistic approach that ensures a well-organized, user-centric, and technically optimized website.

Quick Overview

Strategic Planning & Research

Define goals and objectives, understand audience and competitors, research trends, and set budget and timeline parameters for success.

Content Optimization & Strategy

Audit existing content, plan structure, develop SEO-optimized strategy, place CTAs, and consider multilingual requirements.

User-Centric Design & Experience

Create wireframes for layout, adopt responsive design, design intuitive UI, and ensure accessibility compliance.

Technical Excellence & Performance

Choose CMS, plan URL structures, implement security, optimize speed, integrate SEO practices, and ensure seamless functionality.

Crawlability and Indexability

Ensure your website's content is properly indexed, understood, and ranked by search engines for improved visibility and user experience.

01
Create and Submit XML Sitemap

An XML sitemap is a roadmap for search engines, detailing all pages. Submit to Google to ensure accurate and comprehensive indexing.

02
Implement Robots.txt File

Configure robots.txt to guide search engine bots on which parts to crawl and which to avoid, preventing indexing of sensitive content.

03
Check for Duplicate Content and Canonical Tags

Use canonical tags to signal which version of a page should be considered original, preventing duplicate content issues.

04
Use 'noindex' and 'nofollow' Appropriately

Apply these tags strategically to control which pages appear in search results and prevent link equity flow to certain pages.

05
Use Pagination and Rel=Next/Rel=Prev Tags

Help search engines understand the sequence of paginated content for proper indexing.

06
Optimize URL Structure for Readability

Clear, concise URLs with relevant keywords provide context and improve search engine rankings.

07
Implement Proper URL Redirects (301/302)

Use 301 for permanent and 302 for temporary redirects to preserve SEO equity and guide users correctly.

08
Use Structured Data Markup for Rich Snippets

Schema markup enhances search understanding of content, creating rich snippets with reviews, ratings, and event details.

09
Implement XML Sitemaps for Images/Videos

Create separate sitemaps for multimedia content to expand visibility in image and video search results.

10
Monitor Crawl Errors and Address Promptly

Regularly check Google Search Console for crawl errors and fix pages that bots cannot access.

Website Structure and URLs

Create a user-friendly and search engine-friendly foundation for your website with proper structure and URL organization.

01
Organize Content into Logical Categories

Group content into clear categories creating a structured hierarchy for easy navigation by users and search engines.

02
Create a Flat and Shallow Navigation

Keep navigation menu flat (not too many levels) and shallow (fewer clicks to reach any page), reducing orphaned pages.

03
Use Descriptive and User-Friendly URLs

Craft URLs that accurately reflect page content with relevant keywords for better click-through from search results.

04
Optimize URL Structure for Breadcrumbs

Incorporate breadcrumbs to improve navigation and provide contextual information to search engines.

05
Implement Canonical Tags for Duplicate Content

Use canonical tags to indicate preferred version of similar content, consolidating link equity.

06
Manage URL Parameters with Google Search Console

Specify how Google should treat URLs with parameters to prevent unnecessary indexing of variations.

07
Set Up Proper URL Redirects (301)

Use 301 redirects when pages move or URLs change to preserve SEO equity and prevent dead ends.

08
Use Hyphens to Separate Words in URLs

Use hyphens instead of underscores for readability by both users and search engines.

09
Include Target Keywords in URLs (Keep Short)

Incorporate keywords but keep URLs concise. Short URLs are easier to remember and share.

10
Optimize for Mobile-Friendly URL Structures

Implement responsive design to ensure URLs adapt seamlessly to various devices.

Page Speed and Performance

Optimize page speed for seamless user experience. Faster pages reduce bounce rates, increase engagement, and improve rankings.

01
Optimize Image Sizes and Formats

Resize and compress images while maintaining quality. Use WebP format to reduce file sizes without sacrificing appearance.

02
Minimize HTTP Requests

Combine files and use sprites for images. Fewer requests lead to faster page loading.

03
Leverage Browser Caching

Store static resources locally on users' devices to improve load times for returning visitors.

04
Enable Gzip Compression

Reduce file sizes before sending to browsers, speeding up data transfer for text-based resources.

05
Use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

Distribute content across global servers to deliver from the nearest location, minimizing latency.

06
Minimize Server Response Time (TTFB)

Optimize server settings, reduce database queries, and use caching to improve Time to First Byte.

07
Reduce Render-Blocking JavaScript and CSS

Use asynchronous loading and deferred rendering to avoid delays in page display.

08
Prioritize Above-the-Fold Content

Load visible content first while non-essential resources load in the background.

09
Lazy Load Images and Videos

Load media only when they come into the viewport, conserving bandwidth and speeding initial render.

10
Implement HTTP/2 Protocol

Use HTTP/2 for improved multiplexing and compression, resulting in faster loading times.

Technical On-Page Elements

Enhance visibility, accessibility, and user experience through strategic optimization of on-page elements.

01
Optimize Title Tags

Craft unique, descriptive title tags with relevant keywords for each page. They influence CTR and SEO.

02
Create Compelling Meta Descriptions

Write concise, engaging descriptions that provide a snapshot of page content and encourage clicks.

03
Use Structured Data Markup (Schema.org)

Enhance search results with rich snippets. Helps engines understand content better.

04
Optimize Header Tags (H1-H6)

Structure content logically with proper heading hierarchy. Place main topic in H1.

05
Prioritize Keyword Placement

Place keywords in title, headers, and early paragraphs naturally without keyword stuffing.

06
Optimize Image Alt Text

Provide descriptive alt text for accessibility and better image search rankings.

07
Implement Canonical Tags

Indicate preferred version of duplicate content for proper indexing.

08
Use Internal Linking

Connect related content to enhance navigation and distribute link equity.

09
Optimize for Featured Snippets

Structure content to provide direct answers for common queries.

10
Implement Breadcrumbs

Display navigation path for improved UX and search engine context.

Mobile Friendliness & Mobile-First Indexing

Prioritize mobile to deliver a seamless experience across devices and align with Google's mobile-first indexing.

01
Responsive Design

Ensure design responds seamlessly to different devices and screen sizes for consistent UX.

02
Mobile Page Speed

Optimize loading times for mobile devices where users often have varying connectivity.

03
User-Friendly Touch Elements

Design touch-friendly buttons and navigation for easy mobile interaction.

04
Readable Fonts and Text

Use legible font sizes that are comfortable to read without zooming.

05
Avoid Flash

Use HTML5 and mobile-friendly technologies instead of unsupported Flash elements.

06
Viewport Meta Tag

Implement viewport meta tag to ensure proper content scaling on mobile screens.

07
Mobile-Friendly Images

Optimize images with appropriate dimensions and compression for mobile viewing.

08
Test Across Devices

Regularly test on various devices and emulators to identify layout and functionality issues.

09
Mobile-First Design Approach

Prioritize designing for mobile devices before desktop to align with mobile-first indexing.

10
Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test

Assess mobile usability and fix any issues that affect user experience.

Site Architecture & Server and Hosting

A well-structured architecture and optimal server configurations ensure seamless UX, efficient crawling, and consistent availability.

01
HTTPS Implementation

Install SSL certificate for encrypted data transmission, enhancing security and user trust.

02
SSL Certificate Validation

Choose appropriate certificate type: Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), or Extended Validation (EV).

03
Mixed Content Fix

Ensure all resources are served via HTTPS to prevent mixed content warnings.

04
HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security)

Force browsers to load site securely over HTTPS, preventing SSL-stripping attacks.

05
Security Plugins and Tools

Protect against malware, brute-force attacks, and vulnerability exploits.

06
Regular Software Updates

Keep plugins and themes updated to patch vulnerabilities and improve security.

07
User Authentication

Implement CAPTCHA, two-factor authentication, and login throttling.

08
Firewall Protection

Filter and monitor incoming traffic to block malicious requests.

09
Backup Strategy

Develop comprehensive backup strategy with regular data backups for disaster recovery.

10
Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Add additional security layer to filter malicious traffic and protect against web attacks.

Internal Linking

Effective internal linking enhances navigation, improves SEO, and establishes a cohesive website structure.

01
Anchor Text Strategy

Choose relevant, descriptive anchor text that provides context about linked content.

02
Contextual Relevance

Place internal links within relevant content to provide value and guide users to related information.

03
Hierarchy and Structure

Establish clear hierarchy within content, organizing links by categories and subcategories.

04
Homepage and Important Pages

Include links from homepage to essential pages to improve navigation and user experience.

05
Breadcrumb Navigation

Implement breadcrumbs to enhance navigation and show site structure visually.

06
Deep Linking

Guide users to specific sections or pages for quick access to relevant information.

07
Avoid Orphaned Pages

Ensure all pages have internal links to be discoverable by users and search engines.

08
Link to Related Content

Incorporate links to related articles to encourage deeper content exploration.

09
Broken Link Checking

Regularly check and fix broken internal links to maintain seamless user experience.

10
Topic Clusters

Link related content to central pillar pages to demonstrate content hierarchy and authority.

JavaScript and Rendering

Ensure search engines can properly crawl, index, and render your site's dynamic content.

01
JavaScript Frameworks

Implement SSR or pre-rendering for React, Angular, Vue to improve SEO.

02
JavaScript SEO Best Practices

Provide static rendering, use unique URLs for different states, employ fragment identifiers for AJAX.

03
Lazy Loading Implementation

Improve page speed by loading images and resources only when needed.

04
Progressive Enhancement

Build with core content accessible without JS, enhance for JS-enabled users.

05
Crawlable JavaScript

Ensure search engines can interpret JS content through SSR or API-provided content.

Schema Markup

Implement schema to enhance search result appearance with rich snippets, improving visibility and click-through rates.

01
Understanding Schema Types

Choose appropriate schema types matching your content: product, recipe, event, article, or local business.

02
Implementing Schema Markup

Add schema using JSON-LD, microdata, or RDFa in relevant content sections.

03
LocalBusiness Schema

Optimize local SEO with accurate business info: address, phone, hours.

04
Review and Rating Markup

Display star ratings and reviews in search results for increased credibility.

05
Product and Offer Markup

Showcase product details, prices, availability, and discounts in search results.

06
FAQ Markup

Showcase FAQ directly in search results for quick user access to information.

07
Video and Article Markup

Display publish date, duration, and thumbnails for enhanced visibility.

08
Breadcrumbs Markup

Display hierarchical site navigation in search results.

09
Structured Data Testing

Use Google's testing tools to validate and preview structured data appearance.

10
Monitor Rich Results Reports

Use Search Console to track structured data performance and appearance.

XML Sitemaps & Localization

Create and maintain accurate XML sitemaps to improve visibility and indexation of your website's content.

01
Importance of XML Sitemaps

XML sitemaps list all URLs helping search engines crawl and index efficiently.

02
Creating XML Sitemaps

Use tools or plugins to auto-generate sitemaps including all essential pages.

03
Sitemap Index

For large sites, create sitemap index linking to multiple XML sitemap files.

04
Regular Updates

Keep sitemaps up-to-date by regenerating when content is added or modified.

05
Sitemap Submission

Submit sitemaps to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.

06
Localization Considerations

Create separate sitemaps for each language version on multilingual websites.

07
Hreflang Implementation

Implement hreflang tags for language and regional targeting of different content versions.

08
Images in Sitemaps

Include image URLs to enhance indexation for image-heavy sites.

09
Video Sitemaps

Create video sitemaps for enhanced visibility in video search results.

10
News Sitemaps

For news publishers, submit news-specific sitemaps for timely indexing.

Things to consider next...

Key Takeaways

Optimize for Crawlability and Indexability

Ensure search engines can discover and index your content efficiently. Use clean URLs, manage redirects, and control crawling.

Prioritize Website Performance

Improve page speed for better user experience. Optimize images, minimize HTTP requests, and leverage browser caching.

Enhance On-Page Elements

Optimize titles, meta descriptions, headings, and structured data for relevance and keywords.

Embrace Mobile-First Approach

Ensure mobile-friendly design optimized for mobile-first indexing with responsive layouts and structured data.

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