Technical SEO Checklist : Boost Your Website’s Performance
Are you struggling to get your website noticed on search engines? You’re not alone! Many website owners find it challenging to optimize their sites for better visibility. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with this Technical SEO Checklist that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a tech expert. Let’s dive in!
What is Technical SEO?
Technical SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website’s infrastructure to help search engines crawl and index your site more effectively. It ensures that your website meets the technical requirements of modern search engines like Google. Think of it as the foundation of your website that supports all your other SEO efforts. Without a strong technical foundation, your content might never reach its full potential in search rankings.
Why is Technical SEO Important?
Imagine building a beautiful house but forgetting to lay a solid foundation. No matter how stunning the interior is, the house won’t stand strong. Similarly, without proper technical SEO, even the best content can go unnoticed. Technical SEO helps improve your site’s speed, ensures it’s mobile-friendly, and makes it easier for search engines to understand your content. This leads to better rankings, more traffic, and ultimately, more success for your website.
Technical SEO Checklist
Let’s break down the essential steps you need to take to ensure your website is technically optimized for search engines. Follow this checklist to enhance your site’s performance and visibility.
I. Website Loading Speed Time
A fast-loading website is crucial for both user experience and SEO. Here are the key areas to focus on:
Improve Server Response Time
Your server’s response time affects how quickly your website loads. A slow server can frustrate visitors and lower your rankings.
- Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider: Invest in a hosting service known for speed and reliability. For example, if you’re using shared hosting and experiencing slow load times during peak traffic, consider upgrading to a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or a dedicated hosting plan.
- Use a Server Close to Your Audience: If your primary audience is in the United States, hosting your website on a server located in the US can reduce latency compared to a server in Asia.
- Upgrade Your Hosting Plan: If your site experiences high traffic, an upgrade can provide more resources, ensuring your site remains fast even during traffic spikes.
Optimize & Reduce Image Size Without Affecting the Visual Appearance
Large images can significantly slow down your site. Optimizing them ensures your site looks good without taking too long to load.
- Compress Images: Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without losing quality. For example, compress a high-resolution JPEG image from 2MB to 500KB, making your page load faster.
- Choose the Right Format: Use JPEG for photographs and PNG for graphics with fewer colors. For instance, use JPEG for your blog post images and PNG for your logo to balance quality and size.
- Implement Responsive Images: Serve different image sizes based on the user’s device. For example, display a smaller image on mobile devices and a larger one on desktops to optimize loading times.
Minimize the Render-Blocking JavaScript and CSS
Render-blocking scripts delay the loading of your webpage, making it slower for users.
- Place JavaScript at the Bottom: Move JavaScript files to the bottom of your HTML or use the
async
anddefer
attributes to prevent them from blocking the rendering of your page. For example, place your main JavaScript file just before the closing</body>
tag. - Combine CSS Files: Merge multiple CSS files into one to reduce the number of requests. For instance, combine
style1.css
andstyle2.css
intomain.css
. - Remove Unused Code: Regularly audit your CSS and JavaScript to eliminate any code that isn’t being used. Tools like PurifyCSS can help identify and remove unused CSS.
Limit the Number of Resources & HTTP Requests
Each resource (like images, scripts, and stylesheets) requires an HTTP request, which can slow down your site.
- Reduce Plugins and Third-Party Scripts: Only use essential plugins and scripts. For example, if you’re using multiple social media widgets, consider consolidating them into one script.
- Combine Files: Merge multiple CSS and JavaScript files to decrease the total number of HTTP requests. For instance, combine
header.js
andfooter.js
intomain.js
. - Use CSS Sprites: Combine small images into a single sprite sheet to reduce the number of image requests. For example, combine all your website’s icon images into one sprite and use CSS to display the appropriate part.
Set a Browser Cache Policy
Caching stores parts of your website on a visitor’s browser, so it doesn’t have to reload everything every time.
- Use Caching Plugins: If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, plugins can help set up caching policies easily. For example, use plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache to manage browser caching.
- Set Expiration Dates: Specify how long browsers should keep images, scripts, and stylesheets. For example, set an expiration date of one month for static resources like images and CSS files.
Reduce the Number of Redirects & Eliminate Redirect Loops
Too many redirects can slow down your site and confuse search engines.
- Limit Redirects: Use redirects only when absolutely necessary, such as when a page has moved permanently. For example, if you’ve moved your blog from
yoursite.com/blog
toyoursite.com/articles
, set up a single 301 redirect. - Avoid Redirect Chains: Ensure that redirects point directly to the final destination rather than through multiple steps. For example, instead of redirecting
page1 -> page2 -> page3
, redirectpage1 -> page3
directly. - Check for Redirect Loops: Regularly audit your site to ensure there are no loops where one redirect leads back to itself or another redirect. Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify and fix these issues.
Avoid Loading Your Site With Too Much Stuff
Having too many elements on your page can overwhelm users and slow down your site.
- Keep Design Clean: Focus on essential elements and avoid cluttered layouts that can confuse visitors. For example, use a minimalist design with clear headings and ample white space.
- Prioritize Content: Highlight important content and remove unnecessary elements that don’t add value. For instance, limit the number of call-to-action buttons to one or two per page.
- Use Lazy Loading: Implement lazy loading for images and videos so they only load when they come into the user’s viewport. This can significantly reduce initial page load times.
II. Website Functionality & Usability
Ensuring your website functions smoothly and is easy to use is key for both visitors and search engines.
Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile Friendly
With more people browsing on their phones, a mobile-friendly site is essential.
- Use Responsive Design: Ensure your website layout adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes, from desktops to smartphones. For example, your navigation menu should collapse into a hamburger menu on smaller screens.
- Test on Various Devices: Regularly check your site on different devices to ensure it looks and functions correctly. Use tools like BrowserStack to simulate various devices.
- Simplify Navigation: Make menus and buttons easy to use on smaller screens by increasing their size and spacing. For instance, ensure your buttons are large enough to be tapped easily without zooming.
Build Search Engine Friendly URLs
Clear and descriptive URLs help both users and search engines understand your content.
- Keep URLs Short and Relevant: Use concise URLs that clearly describe the page’s content (e.g., yoursite.com/technical-seo-checklist). Avoid lengthy URLs with unnecessary parameters.
- Use Hyphens to Separate Words: Hyphens improve readability compared to underscores or no separators. For example, use
technical-seo-checklist
instead oftechnical_seo_checklist
ortechnicalseochecklist
. - Avoid Unnecessary Parameters: Steer clear of long, confusing URLs with excessive numbers or parameters. For example, instead of
yoursite.com/page?id=12345
, useyoursite.com/about-us
.
Use the Secure Protocol – HTTPS
Security is a top priority for search engines and users. Switching to HTTPS can boost your rankings and build trust.
- Get an SSL Certificate: Purchase an SSL certificate from a trusted provider and install it on your web server. Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through services like Let’s Encrypt.
- Update URLs to HTTPS: Change all internal links and resources to use HTTPS instead of HTTP to ensure secure connections. For example, update
http://yoursite.com/image.jpg
tohttps://yoursite.com/image.jpg
. - Redirect HTTP to HTTPS: Set up 301 redirects to automatically send users from the HTTP version to the HTTPS version of your site. This ensures all traffic is secure and helps consolidate your SEO efforts.
Set Preferred Version
Choose between the www and non-www versions of your site to avoid confusion and duplicate content.
- Decide on a Preferred Version: Choose whether to use
www.yoursite.com
oryoursite.com
as your primary URL based on your branding and preference. - Implement 301 Redirects: Redirect all traffic from the non-preferred version to the preferred one to consolidate your SEO efforts. For example, if you choose
www.yoursite.com
, set up a redirect fromyoursite.com
towww.yoursite.com
.
Set Up 301 Redirects Correctly After Site Migration
When moving your site, proper redirects ensure users and search engines find the new pages.
- Map Old URLs to New URLs: Create a comprehensive list of old URLs and their corresponding new URLs. For example, if
yoursite.com/old-page
moves toyoursite.com/new-page
, ensure this specific redirect is set up. - Implement 301 Redirects: Use 301 redirects to permanently redirect old URLs to the new ones, preserving SEO value. This can be done through your website’s
.htaccess
file or via your CMS’s redirect settings. - Test Redirects: Verify that all redirects work correctly and lead users to the intended pages without errors. For example, visit an old URL to ensure it redirects seamlessly to the new URL.
Make Sure Your Resources Are Crawlable
Ensure that all important resources (like images and scripts) can be crawled by search engines.
- Avoid Blocking Resources in Robots.txt: Don’t block essential resources that search engines need to render your pages properly. For example, ensure that your CSS and JavaScript files are accessible to crawlers.
- Use Proper Permissions: Ensure that files and directories have the correct permissions to be accessed by search engine bots. For instance, set directory permissions to 755 and file permissions to 644.
Test Your Robots.txt File to Show Google the Right Content
Your robots.txt file guides search engines on what to crawl and what to ignore.
- Allow Important Pages: Ensure that search engines can access and crawl all the important pages of your site. For example, allow crawling of your main content pages while disallowing admin or login pages.
- Disallow Private or Irrelevant Sections: Block access to parts of your site that don’t need to be indexed, such as admin pages or duplicate content sections.
- Regularly Review and Update: Keep your robots.txt file up-to-date with any changes to your site structure or content. For example, if you add a new private section, update the robots.txt file accordingly.
Verify the Indexed Content
Ensure that all your important pages are indexed by search engines.
- Use the Site Search Command: Type
site:yourdomain.com
into Google’s search bar to see which pages are indexed. - Check Google Search Console: Monitor the indexing status of your pages and identify any issues that need fixing. For example, use the Coverage report to find and resolve indexing errors.
Review Your Sitemap to Avoid Being Outdated
An updated sitemap helps search engines find and index your pages efficiently.
- Automatically Generate Sitemaps: Use SEO plugins or tools to create and update your sitemap automatically. For example, use Yoast SEO for WordPress to manage your sitemap.
- Regularly Check for Accuracy: Ensure that your sitemap includes all important pages and excludes any outdated or removed pages. Periodically review your sitemap to maintain its accuracy.
Review Blocked Resources (Hashbang URLs) with Fetch as Google
Ensure that no important resources are accidentally blocked from being crawled.
- Use Fetch as Google: Utilize tools like Google Search Console’s Fetch as Google to see how search engines view your site.
- Identify and Unblock Necessary Resources: Make sure all essential resources are accessible to search engines. For example, if a crucial JavaScript file is blocked, unblock it to improve rendering.
Optimize Your Crawl Budget
Manage how search engines crawl your site to ensure important pages are indexed.
- Prioritize High-Quality Content: Focus on having quality content that provides value to users, encouraging search engines to crawl these pages more frequently.
- Remove Low-Value Pages: Delete or noindex pages that don’t add value, such as thin content or duplicate pages.
- Use Internal Linking Strategically: Guide crawlers to key pages by linking to them from other high-traffic pages on your site.
Avoid Meta Refresh for Moving a Site
Meta refresh redirects can be confusing for both users and search engines.
- Use 301 Redirects Instead: Implement 301 redirects to permanently move pages, ensuring search engines understand the change and preserve SEO value.
Use Redirect for Flash Site to the HTML Version
If you’re moving from Flash to HTML, ensure proper redirects to maintain SEO value.
- Redirect Flash URLs to HTML Counterparts: Ensure that each Flash URL is redirected to its new HTML version. For example, redirect
yoursite.com/flash-page
toyoursite.com/html-page
. - Verify All Redirects: Test to make sure all Flash pages properly redirect to the corresponding HTML pages without errors.
Use Hreflang for Language and Regional URLs
If your site targets multiple languages or regions, hreflang tags help search engines serve the correct version.
- Add Hreflang Tags: Implement hreflang tags to indicate the language and region for each page. For example, use
hreflang="en-us"
for American English andhreflang="en-gb"
for British English. - Ensure Consistency: Make sure each language version points to all other language versions correctly to avoid confusion. For instance, each English page should reference its French and Spanish counterparts if available.
Make Sure Your Tracking Is Working Properly
Accurate tracking helps you understand your website’s performance.
- Regularly Test Tracking Codes: Ensure that your tracking codes (like Google Analytics) are correctly implemented and functioning. For example, verify that page views are being recorded accurately.
- Use Tools to Verify Data Collection: Utilize debugging tools to check that data is being accurately collected and reported. For instance, use the Google Tag Assistant to troubleshoot tracking issues.
III. Content Optimization
Optimizing your content is crucial for SEO success. Here’s how to make sure your content is search engine friendly:
Redirect/Replace Broken Links & Resources
Broken links can harm user experience and SEO. Regularly fix them to keep your site healthy.
- Identify Broken Links: Use SEO tools to scan your site for broken links regularly. For example, run a monthly audit with Screaming Frog to find and list all broken links.
- Replace with Relevant Links: Update broken links with links to relevant, working pages. For instance, if
yoursite.com/old-page
is broken, link toyoursite.com/new-page
instead. - Use 301 Redirects for Moved Pages: If a linked page has moved, set up a 301 redirect to the new location to preserve SEO value.
Audit Internal Links to Improve Your Chances to Rank Higher
Internal links help distribute link equity and guide users through your site.
- Check for Broken or Outdated Links: Regularly audit your internal links to ensure they’re all working correctly. For example, ensure that links within blog posts direct to existing and relevant pages.
- Link to Relevant Pages: Ensure that each internal link directs users to related and valuable content. For instance, in a blog post about SEO tips, link to your detailed SEO guide.
- Use Descriptive Anchor Text: Use clear and descriptive text for your internal links to help both users and search engines understand the linked content. For example, instead of saying “click here,” use “read our comprehensive SEO guide.”
Get Rid of Duplicate Content
Duplicate content can confuse search engines and dilute your SEO efforts.
- Use Canonical Tags: Implement canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page, helping search engines understand which version to index. For example, add
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.yoursite.com/preferred-page/" />
to duplicate pages. - Combine Similar Pages: Merge pages with similar content to create a single, comprehensive page. For instance, if you have two blog posts on the same topic, combine them into one detailed article.
- Avoid Publishing Duplicate Content: Ensure that each page on your site has unique content to prevent duplication issues. For example, create distinct product descriptions for each item instead of copying the same text across multiple pages.
Use Structured Data to Highlight Your Content
Structured data helps search engines understand your content and can enhance your listings with rich snippets.
- Add Schema Markup: Implement schema markup to provide additional information about your content, such as articles, products, or local businesses. For example, add Article schema to your blog posts to enable rich snippets in search results.
- Focus on Relevant Schema Types: Choose schema types that best fit your content, like Article for blog posts or Product for e-commerce pages. For instance, use Product schema on your product pages to display price and availability in search results.
- Test Your Structured Data: Use tools to ensure your structured data is correctly implemented and free of errors. For example, use Google’s Rich Results Test to validate your schema markup.
Keep a Reasonable Number of Links On-Page
Having too many links on a page can overwhelm users and dilute SEO value.
- Limit the Number of Links: Only include links that are relevant and add value to the user experience. For example, aim for 3-5 internal links per blog post instead of 20.
- Ensure Contextual Placement: Place links within the context of your content to make them more meaningful and useful. For instance, link to related articles within the body of your blog post where relevant topics are discussed.
- Avoid Excessive Linking: Too many links can distract users and reduce the effectiveness of each link. Keep your link density balanced to maintain a clean and user-friendly layout.
Avoid Canonicalizing Blog Pages to the Root of the Blog
Canonical tags should point to the most relevant version of a page, not always the homepage.
- Use Unique Canonical URLs: Ensure each blog page has its own canonical URL that points to itself or the most relevant version. For example, a blog post about SEO tips should have its canonical URL pointing to that specific post, not the main blog page.
- Avoid Pointing to the Root: Don’t set all blog pages to canonicalize to the main blog page; this can prevent individual posts from being indexed properly. Each post should have a unique canonical tag that reflects its specific content.
IV. User-Friendlier Website
Making your website user-friendly improves both user experience and SEO performance.
Set Up Your AMP the Right Way – Mobile Friendlier
Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) can make your site load faster on mobile devices.
- Implement AMP Correctly: Follow best practices to set up AMP pages, ensuring they load quickly and display correctly on mobile devices. For example, use AMP-compatible themes or plugins if you’re using a CMS like WordPress.
- Link AMP Pages to Desktop Versions: Ensure that each AMP page is linked to its desktop counterpart to maintain consistency and avoid confusion. For instance, add a link to the AMP version in the
<head>
section of your desktop pages. - Test AMP Functionality: Regularly test your AMP pages to ensure they function properly and provide a good user experience. Use Google’s AMP Test tool to verify your AMP pages are error-free.
Add Breadcrumbs for Better Navigation
Breadcrumbs help users understand their location on your site and improve navigation.
- Use a Hierarchical Structure: Implement breadcrumbs that reflect the structure of your site, such as Home > Blog > Technical SEO Checklist. This helps users navigate back to higher-level pages easily.
- Make Breadcrumbs Clickable: Ensure that each part of the breadcrumb trail is clickable, allowing users to easily navigate back to previous sections. For example, users can click “Blog” to return to the main blog page from a specific post.
- Add Breadcrumb Markup: Use breadcrumb markup to help search engines understand the structure of your site, enhancing your SEO. This can also enable rich snippets in search results, displaying your breadcrumb trail directly in Google listings.
Test On as Many Platforms and Devices as Possible
Ensuring your website works well across all platforms and devices is essential for a good user experience.
- Use Device Emulators and Real Devices: Test your site on a variety of devices and screen sizes to ensure compatibility. For example, check how your site looks and functions on both an iPhone and an Android phone.
- Check Across Different Browsers: Verify that your website functions correctly on all major browsers, such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. For instance, ensure that your site’s layout remains consistent when viewed on Chrome versus Safari.
- Identify and Fix Issues: Regularly identify and address any issues that arise during testing to maintain a seamless user experience. For example, fix any layout shifts or broken elements that appear on certain devices or browsers.
Tools to Help You with Technical SEO
Here are some essential tools that can make your technical SEO tasks easier:
1. cognitiveSEO
Whether you are an SEO Professional, Digital Marketing Agency, SMB, or Brand Owner, cognitiveSEO is the only SEO software you’ll ever need.
- Features:
- Site Audit: Comprehensive analysis of your website’s SEO health.
- On-the-Page and Off-page Factors for Google Rankings: Evaluate all factors affecting your rankings.
- Keywords Research and Rank Tracking: Discover new keywords and monitor your rankings.
- Content Optimization: Improve your content for better SEO performance.
- In-depth Backlink Analysis: Analyze your backlink profile to identify opportunities and issues.
- And Many More!
Start with a free trial to explore all the features and see how cognitiveSEO can boost your site’s SEO.
2. Google Search Console
Google Search Console helps you monitor your site’s presence in Google search results. It provides insights into how Google views your site, allowing you to optimize your content and fix issues.
- Key Features:
- Performance Tracking: Analyze your site’s search performance.
- Index Coverage: See which pages are indexed and identify problems.
- Mobile Usability: Check how mobile-friendly your site is.
3. Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a powerful tool for crawling your website to find SEO issues.
- Capabilities:
- Find Broken Links: Identify 404 errors and fix them.
- Audit Redirects: Ensure proper implementation of 301 redirects.
- Analyze Page Titles and Meta Descriptions: Optimize for better SEO.
4. GTmetrix
GTmetrix analyzes your site’s speed and performance, providing actionable recommendations to improve load times.
- Features:
- Performance Scores: Get insights into your site’s speed.
- Waterfall Breakdown: See how each element of your page loads.
- Optimization Tips: Learn how to fix performance issues.
5. Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO is a popular WordPress plugin that helps with on-site SEO, including technical aspects.
- Benefits:
- XML Sitemap Generation: Automatically create and update sitemaps.
- Meta Tag Management: Easily add and optimize meta titles and descriptions.
- Content Analysis: Receive SEO and readability suggestions for your content.
6. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO toolset that offers features for keyword research, backlink analysis, and site audits.
- Key Features:
- Site Audit: Identify technical SEO issues.
- Keyword Explorer: Find the best keywords for your content.
- Backlink Analysis: Monitor your backlink profile and competitors.
Common Technical SEO Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a great checklist, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
1. Ignoring Mobile Optimization
With the rise of mobile browsing, not having a mobile-friendly site can severely hurt your rankings. Ensure your site is responsive and offers a great user experience on all devices.
Example: If your website’s navigation menu is too small or buttons are too close together on mobile devices, users might find it difficult to navigate, leading to higher bounce rates and lower rankings.
2. Slow Page Speed
A sluggish website can drive visitors away and negatively impact SEO. Regularly monitor and optimize your site’s speed using the tools mentioned above.
Example: If your homepage takes over 5 seconds to load, users may leave before it fully loads, reducing your chances of converting visitors into customers and harming your search rankings.
3. Poor Site Structure
A confusing site layout can make it hard for both users and search engines to navigate your content. Keep your site organized with clear URLs, internal linking, and breadcrumbs.
Example: If your e-commerce site has products buried deep within multiple categories with no clear navigation, users might struggle to find what they’re looking for, leading to frustration and lost sales.
4. Not Using HTTPS
Security is crucial. Sites without HTTPS are often penalized in search rankings and may lose user trust. Always secure your site with an SSL certificate.
Example: Visitors may see a “Not Secure” warning in their browser when visiting your site, leading them to abandon your site and damaging your brand’s reputation.
5. Duplicate Content
Having the same content on multiple pages can confuse search engines and dilute your SEO efforts. Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page and avoid duplication.
Example: If you have both yoursite.com/product
and yoursite.com/product?ref=affiliate
showing the same content without proper canonical tags, search engines might not know which version to prioritize, harming your rankings.
6. Neglecting Structured Data
Structured data can enhance your search listings with rich snippets, but many websites neglect to implement it. Use schema markup to provide additional information to search engines.
Example: Without structured data, your recipe pages won’t show cooking times, ratings, or ingredients in search results, missing out on increased visibility and click-through rates.
7. Overlooking Crawl Errors
Crawl errors prevent search engines from indexing your pages correctly. Regularly check Google Search Console for any crawl issues and fix them promptly.
Example: If search engines encounter too many 404 errors on your site, they might reduce the crawl rate, leading to fewer pages being indexed and lower overall visibility.
8. Not Updating Your Sitemap
An outdated sitemap can hinder search engines from discovering new or updated pages. Keep your sitemap current and resubmit it whenever you make significant changes to your site.
Example: If you add a new blog post but don’t update your sitemap, search engines might not find and index the new post quickly, delaying its appearance in search results.
FAQ: Technical SEO Checklist
1. What is the most important aspect of technical SEO?
While all aspects are important, ensuring your website is crawlable and indexable by search engines is fundamental. Without this, other SEO efforts won’t have any impact. Start by creating a proper robots.txt
file and submitting an updated sitemap.
Example: If your robots.txt file blocks search engines from accessing your main content pages, those pages won’t appear in search results, no matter how well-optimized they are.
2. How often should I update my technical SEO checklist?
Regular updates are essential. Aim to review and update your checklist quarterly to keep up with the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes. Additionally, conduct periodic audits to identify and fix any new issues that arise.
Example: If a new Google algorithm update emphasizes mobile usability, updating your checklist to include more mobile optimization tasks can help maintain or improve your rankings.
3. Do I need to hire an expert for technical SEO?
Not necessarily. With the right tools and resources, many technical SEO tasks can be handled by website owners. However, for complex issues or if you’re short on time, consulting with an SEO expert can be beneficial. Experts can provide in-depth analysis and advanced optimization strategies.
Example: If you encounter a complex site migration issue that affects multiple URLs and SEO elements, an SEO expert can help implement 301 redirects correctly to preserve your rankings.
4. Can technical SEO improve my website’s user experience?
Absolutely! Technical SEO enhancements like faster load times, mobile optimization, and a clear site structure all contribute to a better user experience. When users have a positive experience on your site, they are more likely to stay longer, engage with your content, and convert into customers.
Example: Optimizing your site’s speed ensures that users don’t get frustrated waiting for pages to load, leading to lower bounce rates and higher engagement.
5. What are some free tools for technical SEO?
Some great free tools include:
- Google Search Console: Provides insights into your site’s performance in Google search.
- Google Analytics: Tracks and reports website traffic.
- Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test: Checks if your site is mobile-friendly.
- Bing Webmaster Tools: Similar to Google Search Console but for Bing.
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Offers a free version that can crawl up to 500 URLs.
Example: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to quickly check if your website is optimized for mobile devices and receive recommendations for improvements.
Final Thoughts
Technical SEO might seem daunting at first, but breaking it down into manageable tasks can make it much easier. By following this Technical SEO Checklist, you’ll ensure your website is optimized for both search engines and users. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, so keep monitoring and tweaking your site to stay ahead of the competition.