Find out how to gain a competitive edge online with Technical SEO, which is often overlooked and significantly ensures search engines can efficiently access, crawl, and understand your website.
Published on October 15, 2024
In New Zealand’s tough online world, a well-optimised website is vital to drawing organic traffic and ranking higher in search engines. Technical SEO, which many people ignore, has a significant impact on making sure search engines like Google can access, crawl, and understand your website.
The Value of Technical SEO Audits
A technical SEO audit closely examines your website’s technical setup. It helps spot and fix potential issues that could hurt your website’s performance in search engine results pages (SERPs).
By finding and solving these problems, you can…
- Speed up your website: Quick loading times not only please users but also contribute to your site’s higher ranking in search results.
- Website accessibility: Ensure your website is usable for people with disabilities, fostering inclusivity and potentially attracting a wider audience.
- Help search engines find your content: Make it easy for search engines to index what’s on your site, so it’s more likely to appear in search results.
- Mobile friendliness: Be sure your website runs on mobile devices since more and more people are browsing on their phones.
8 Common Technical SEO Issues
1. Slow Website Speed
Causes: Large image files, inefficient code, slow hosting, and lack of optimisation.
Solutions: Optimise images, minify code, use a CDN (Content Delivery Network), and choose a reliable hosting provider.
2. Mobile-Friendliness Issues
Causes: Poorly designed layouts, small text, and elements that are difficult to tap.
Solutions: Use a responsive design, ensure elements are large enough to tap, and test your website on different devices.
3. Duplicate Content
Causes: Multiple versions of the same page, canonical tag issues, and dynamic URL structures.
Solutions: Implement canonical tags, use redirects, and avoid creating unnecessary duplicate content.
4. Broken Links and 404 Errors
Causes: Outdated links, deleted pages, and incorrect URLs.
Solutions: Regularly check for broken links using tools like Google Search Console and fix them promptly.
5. XML Sitemap Issues
Causes: Inaccurate or outdated sitemaps, missing important pages.
Solutions: Create a comprehensive XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console.
6. Poor URL Structure
Causes: Long, complex URLs, keyword stuffing, and inconsistent capitalisation.
Solutions: Use descriptive, keyword-rich URLs that are easy to understand.
7. Indexing Issues
Causes: Robots.txt errors, noindex tags, and server issues.
Solutions: Review your Robots.txt file and ensure it doesn’t block important pages and address any server-side issues.
8. Insecure Website (HTTP vs. HTTPS)
Causes: Security is a top priority for users and search engines alike. Websites lacking SSL certificates (HTTPS) may face penalties in rankings and deter potential customers.
Solutions: Obtain an SSL certificate to secure your website and ensure that all pages are served over HTTPS.
How to Solve Technical Issues on Your Website
To effectively address these issues, consider the following steps…
- Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog SEO Spider, and Ahrefs to identify technical problems.
- Focus on addressing issues that have the most significant impact on your website’s performance and user experience.
- Make necessary changes to your website’s code, content, or infrastructure to resolve the identified problems.
- Regularly monitor your website’s performance and address any new technical issues that may arise.
Technical SEO FAQ
What is technical SEO vs on-page SEO?
Technical SEO focuses on the behind-the-scenes elements that search engines use to understand and crawl your website, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and XML sitemaps.
On-page SEO involves optimising the content and elements directly on your web pages, like titles, meta descriptions, and header tags.
Is technical SEO difficult?
Technical SEO can be complex, especially for those without a technical background.
Does technical SEO require coding?
While some aspects of technical SEO, like working with code or server settings, may benefit from coding knowledge, it’s not always necessary. Many tools and platforms can help you optimise your website without extensive coding skills.
How long does technical SEO take?
The time required for technical SEO varies depending on the website’s initial state and the extent of the optimisations needed.
How do I get started with technical SEO?
Begin by conducting a technical SEO audit to identify areas for improvement. Prioritise issues that havethe most significant impact on your website’s search engine visibility. Consider using SEO tools or consulting with an SEO professional for guidance.
SEO Success in New Zealand
SEO checks for technical issues are crucial to keeping a website successful in New Zealand’s challenging online world. When you spot and fix hidden problems, you boost your site’s search engine ranking, build trust among online users and improve their online experience. These checks often keep your site at its best, following rules, and ready to serve your audience.
Don’t let tech glitches slow you down; contact Found today!
Megan Smith
Content Marketing Specialist
Megan is a seasoned digital marketer at Found, specialising in creating compelling content strategies that boost brand visibility and business growth.
