What is Technical SEO?
Broaden your SEO Knowledge:
Fundamentals
- How Search Engines Operate
- Getting Started with SEO
- Develop an SEO Strategy
- SEO Ranking Factors
- What are Keywords
- Keyword Research
- Creating Successful Content
- Indexing Your Content
- On-Site SEO
- Title Tag
- Meta Description
- Domains
- Website Architecture
- Technical SEO
- Page Speed
- Image SEO
- Mobile SEO
- Internal Links
- Real Robots.txt
- Anchor Text
- Redirection Rules
- Other SEO Resources
While there is no right or wrong definition of technical SEO, there’s one easy way of looking at it. Consider it any work you complete on your website, outside of content creation.
With the right approach to technical SEO, you improve the crawling of your website with the idea of keeping up with ever-advancing search engines.
Technical SEO Elements
There are a variety of technical SEO elements. When working together, these make your website more efficient, which improves the likelihood of reaching the top of the search engines.
1. Website Speed
Not only does page load speed impact search engine rankings, but it also does the same to your conversion rate.
Here are some of the many details to focus on in your attempt to improve the speed of your website:
- Keep a minimalist approach with your templates
- Optimize photos, such as by using the proper size
- Limit redirects
2. Mobile Friendly
Before 2015, a mobile friendly website wasn’t necessary. However, after Google introduced an algorithm update in April 2015, a mobile friendly website became a must.
Here’s what Google had to say about the update:
“When it comes to search on mobile devices, users should get the most relevant and timely results, no matter if the information lives on mobile-friendly web pages or apps. As more people use mobile devices to access the internet, our algorithms have to adapt to these usage patterns. In the past, we’ve made updates to ensure a site is configured properly and viewable on modern devices. We’ve made it easier for users to find mobile-friendly web pages and we’ve introduced App Indexing to surface useful content from apps.”
Even though Google still uses a variety of signals to rank search results, having a mobile friendly website definitely increases your chance of success.
3. Site Architecture
SEO-friendly site architecture impacts both search engine rankings and visitor experience. When getting started, turn your immediate attention to the following:
- Use HTTPS (this is one of Google’s ranking factors)
- Use breadcrumbs
- Opt for SEO-friendly URL structure
- Use internal links to improve visibility, increase page views, and provide visitors with a better experience
At first glance, you may be satisfied with what you see in regards to your website’s architecture. However, as you dig deeper into the details above, you’re likely to find several areas that require your attention.
Conclusion
While creating content and building backlinks is critical to rising in the search engines, a focus on technical SEO is every bit as important.