Top 12 Technical SEO Issues & How To Fix Them
Technical SEO is the backbone of a well-optimised website, ensuring that search engines can easily crawl, index, and rank your site. Without addressing technical SEO issues, your content might not reach its full potential, no matter how high-quality it is.
Technical SEO plays a crucial role in improving search engine rankings by enhancing the site’s crawlability and indexability, which are vital for search engines like Google to understand and rank your site effectively.
When technical SEO is done right, it improves the user experience by ensuring fast loading times, mobile-friendliness, and secure browsing through HTTPS. According to a study by Google, 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than three seconds to load, highlighting the importance of site speed.
Additionally, a well-structured website with clean URLs and efficient internal linking not only helps search engines but also guides users smoothly through your content.
This article aims to help you identify and resolve common technical SEO issues that could be holding your site back. From fixing crawl errors to optimizing site speed, we’ll cover practical solutions that you can implement to enhance your website’s performance. Let’s dive in and tackle these top 12 technical SEO issues to ensure your site is in tip-top shape for both search engines and users.
Crawl Errors
What Are Crawl Errors?
Crawl errors happen when search engines such as Google try to reach a page on your website and are unsuccessful. These issues prevent search engines from indexing your site correctly, which can adversely affect your search rankings. In essence, if search engines are unable to crawl your site efficiently, they won’t be able to rank it well.
Common Types of Crawl Errors
404 Errors
One of the most common crawl errors is the 404 error, which indicates that a page cannot be found. This often happens when a page has been deleted or the URL changed without proper redirection.
DNS Errors
DNS (Domain Name System) errors occur when a search engine can’t communicate with your server. This could be due to server issues or configuration problems, preventing the crawler from accessing your site altogether.
Identifying Crawl Errors
To identify crawl errors, tools like Google Search Console are invaluable. By accessing the Coverage report in the Search Console, you can see a list of errors affecting your site. This report provides detailed information about the types of errors and the specific URLs involved, helping you pinpoint the exact issues.
Steps to Fix Crawl Errors
Fixing 404 Errors
To fix 404 errors, start by setting up 301 redirects for any pages that have been moved or deleted. This ensures that both users and search engines are directed to the correct page. Regularly audit your site for broken links and update them as needed.
Resolving DNS Errors
DNS errors can be trickier to resolve. First, check with your hosting provider to ensure there are no server issues. It’s also a good idea to ensure your DNS settings are correctly configured. Tools like DNS Checker can help verify that your DNS is properly set up.
Duplicate Content
What Is Duplicate Content?
Duplicate content refers to substantial blocks of content within or across domains that match or are appreciably similar. Search engines like Google frown upon duplicate content because it confuses which version of the content to index, potentially leading to lower rankings.
If multiple pages have the same content, search engines may struggle to determine which page to rank higher, diluting the overall SEO effectiveness.
Common Causes of Duplicate Content
HTTP vs. HTTPS
One frequent cause of duplicate content is the use of both HTTP and HTTPS versions of a site. If both versions are accessible, search engines might index them as separate pages, causing duplication.
WWW vs. Non-WWW
Another common cause is the presence of both www and non-www versions of a site. Without proper redirection, both versions can be indexed separately, creating duplicate content issues.
Identifying Duplicate Content
To identify duplicate content, tools like Copyscape and SiteLiner are essential. Copyscape scans the web to find duplicate content across different websites, while SiteLiner identifies duplicate content within your site. These tools help pinpoint exact pages that need attention, making it easier to address duplication.
Effective Fixes for Duplicate Content
Canonical Tags
One effective solution is the use of canonical tags. By adding a canonical tag to a page, you tell search engines which version of the content is the preferred one. This helps consolidate link signals and avoid potential penalties for duplication.
301 Redirects
Another solution is setting up 301 redirects. This permanent redirection method ensures that all versions of a URL point to a single preferred URL, consolidating any duplicate content issues. For instance, redirecting the HTTP version to the HTTPS version ensures that search engines only index the secure version of your site.
Broken Links
What Are Broken Links?
Broken links, also known as dead links, occur when a webpage that a link points to is no longer available. These can significantly harm your site’s SEO by creating a poor user experience and reducing your site’s crawlability. Broken links send visitors to non-existent pages, which can increase bounce rates and decrease user trust.
Impact on SEO
When search engines encounter broken links, they waste the crawl budget on pages that don’t exist, which can lead to less efficient indexing of your site. Moreover, broken links can result in a loss of valuable link equity, which negatively impacts your site’s authority and rankings.
Tools to Identify Broken Links
Identifying broken links is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy website. Tools like Screaming Frog and Ahrefs are excellent for this task. Screaming Frog crawls your entire site and provides a comprehensive report on all broken links, while Ahrefs’ Site Audit feature identifies broken backlinks pointing to your site.
Top Strategies to Fix Broken Links
Updating or Removing Broken Links
First, regularly audit your site for broken links. Once identified, update these links to point to the correct URLs. If the content is no longer available, consider removing the link altogether to avoid sending users to a dead end.
Setting Up 301 Redirects
For links that point to moved or deleted pages, set up 301 redirects to guide both users and search engines to the new location of the content. This not only preserves link equity but also ensures a seamless user experience.
XML Sitemaps
Importance of XML Sitemaps for SEO
XML sitemaps are crucial for SEO because they help search engines understand the structure of your website and find all the pages. An XML sitemap acts like a roadmap, guiding search engines to your most important pages, and ensuring they are crawled and indexed efficiently.
This is especially vital for larger sites with extensive content, new sites with few external links, or sites with rich media content.
Common Issues with XML Sitemaps
Missing Pages
One common issue with XML sitemaps is the omission of important pages. This can happen if the sitemap is not regularly updated or correctly configured, leading to critical pages being overlooked by search engines.
Incorrect URLs
Another frequent problem is incorrect URLs in the sitemap, such as URLs that return a 404 error or those that are blocked by robots.txt. These errors can confuse search engines and impede proper indexing.
How to Create and Submit an XML Sitemap
Creating an XML sitemap is straightforward with tools like Yoast SEO for WordPress or Screaming Frog. These tools generate a comprehensive sitemap that you can upload to your site’s root directory.
Once created, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console by navigating to the “Sitemaps” section and entering the sitemap URL. This submission informs Google about the sitemap, helping it crawl your site more effectively.
Tools for Checking Sitemap Health
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is an invaluable tool for checking the health of your XML sitemap. It alerts you to any issues and provides detailed insights into which pages are being indexed.
Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider tool is another excellent resource. It can crawl your site and highlight any errors within your sitemap, such as missing pages or incorrect URLs, ensuring your sitemap is always in top condition.
Site Speed and Performance
Why Speed Matters: Boosting User Experience and SEO
Site speed is a critical factor for both user experience and SEO. A fast-loading site keeps visitors engaged and reduces bounce rates.
According to Google, 53% of mobile users leave a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load. Additionally, search engines prioritise faster sites in their rankings, making site speed a crucial aspect of your SEO strategy.
Common Issues Affecting Site Speed
Large Images
One of the most common culprits behind slow site speeds is large, unoptimized images. High-resolution images can significantly increase loading times if not properly compressed.
Unoptimized Code
Another issue is unoptimized code, such as bulky CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files. Excessive or redundant code can slow down your site, making it less responsive.
Tools to Measure Site Speed
Google PageSpeed Insights
Google PageSpeed Insights is a popular tool for measuring site speed. It provides a comprehensive report on your site’s performance on both mobile and desktop devices, along with suggestions for improvement.
GTmetrix
GTmetrix is another valuable tool that analyzes your site’s speed and performance. It offers detailed insights and actionable recommendations to help you optimise your site.
Techniques to Improve Site Speed
Image Optimization
Optimizing images by compressing them without sacrificing quality can drastically improve load times. Tools like TinyPNG and ImageOptim are excellent for this purpose.
Minifying CSS and JavaScript
Minifying CSS and JavaScript involves removing unnecessary characters from the code, such as spaces and comments, to reduce file size and enhance load times. Tools like UglifyJS and CSSNano can automate this process.
Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN distributes your site’s content across multiple servers worldwide, reducing the distance between your server and your users. This can significantly speed up content delivery. Popular CDNs include Cloudflare and Amazon CloudFront.
Mobile-Friendliness
What Is Mobile-First Indexing?
Mobile-first indexing refers to Google’s practice of primarily using the mobile version of a website’s content for its indexing and ranking processes.This shift reflects the growing trend of mobile internet usage. According to Statista, over 50% of global website traffic comes from mobile devices, highlighting the importance of mobile-friendly websites for SEO.
Common Mobile Usability Issues
Viewport Configuration
A common issue is improper viewport configuration. Without the correct viewport settings, your site may not display properly on mobile devices, leading to a poor user experience.
Touch Elements Too Close
Another frequent problem is touch elements, like buttons and links, being too close together. This can frustrate users and lead to accidental clicks, negatively affecting usability.
Tools to Test Mobile-Friendliness
Google Mobile-Friendly Test
The Google Mobile-Friendly Test tool is excellent for evaluating how easily a visitor can use your page on a mobile device. It provides specific suggestions for improving mobile usability.
PageSpeed Insights
PageSpeed Insights not only assesses your site’s speed but also offers insights into mobile usability, helping you identify areas for improvement.
Steps to Ensure a Mobile-Friendly Website
Responsive Design
Implementing a responsive design ensures that your website adapts to different screen sizes and devices. This approach provides a seamless user experience across all platforms. Using flexible grids, layouts, and images is key to responsive design.
AMP Implementation
Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a technology designed to make mobile pages load faster. By creating a stripped-down version of your HTML, AMP can significantly improve page load times. Implementing AMP can lead to higher user engagement and better SEO performance.
HTTPS Implementation
Importance of HTTPS for Security and SEO
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is crucial for both security and SEO. It encrypts data transferred between the user’s browser and your website, protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.
From an SEO perspective, Google considers HTTPS a ranking signal, meaning secure sites are more likely to rank higher in search results. According to Google, more than 70% of page-one search results are HTTPS.
Common Issues with HTTPS Implementation
Mixed Content
One common issue with HTTPS implementation is mixed content. This occurs when a secure HTTPS page loads resources (like images, scripts, or stylesheets) over an insecure HTTP connection, potentially compromising security and leading to browser warnings.
Incorrect SSL Certificate
Another problem is using an incorrect SSL certificate. If the certificate is not properly configured or has expired, users will see security warnings, which can erode trust and negatively impact your site’s reputation.
Steps to Migrate from HTTP to HTTPS
- Purchase an SSL Certificate: Obtain an SSL certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
- Install the SSL Certificate: Install the certificate on your web server. This process varies depending on your hosting provider.
- Update Internal Links: Ensure all internal links use HTTPS instead of HTTP.
- Set Up 301 Redirects: Redirect all HTTP traffic to the HTTPS version of your site to ensure users and search engines access the secure version.
- Update External Links: Where possible, update external backlinks to point to the HTTPS version of your site.
Tools to Check for HTTPS Issues
SSL Labs
SSL Labs offers a comprehensive SSL test that evaluates your SSL certificate’s configuration and identifies any potential issues, such as weak encryption.
Jitbit SSL Checker
Jitbit SSL Checker is another useful tool that verifies the SSL certificate’s installation and checks for common problems like expiration dates and mismatched hostnames.
Structured Data and Schema Markup
What is Structured Data?
Structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a page and classifying the page content. It helps search engines understand the context of your content, which can enhance how your site appears in search results.
Implementing structured data can lead to rich snippets, which display additional information like reviews, ratings, and prices directly in search results, making your listing more attractive and likely to be clicked.
Benefits for SEO
Using structured data can significantly boost your SEO efforts. Sites with structured data often achieve higher click-through rates (CTR) because rich snippets provide users with more information at a glance. This enhanced visibility can lead to increased organic traffic and improved rankings over time.
Common Issues with Structured Data
Incorrect or Incomplete Markup
A frequent issue with structured data is incorrect or incomplete markup. Incorrect syntax can prevent search engines from interpreting the data properly, while incomplete markup means missing out on the potential benefits of fully enriched snippets.
Tools to Validate Structured Data
Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool
Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool allows you to test your structured data and identify any errors or warnings. It provides detailed feedback on the validity of your markup, ensuring it adheres to schema.org standards.
Schema Markup Validator
The Schema Markup Validator is another useful tool that helps ensure your structured data is correctly implemented. It checks for compliance with schema.org guidelines and highlights any issues that need addressing.
Best Practices for Implementing Structured Data
- Use Relevant Schema Types: Choose schema types that are relevant to your content. For instance, use the “Product” schema for e-commerce pages or “Article” schema for blog posts.
- Ensure Completeness: Make sure to include all recommended properties in your markup to maximize the potential for rich snippets.
- Regularly Validate Markup: Use validation tools regularly to check your structured data for errors and keep it up to date with the latest schema.org standards.
- Avoid Overuse: While structured data is beneficial, overusing it can lead to penalties. Focus on marking up only the most critical parts of your content.
Indexability Issues
What Is Indexability?
Indexability refers to a search engine’s ability to crawl, interpret, and add your web pages to its index. If your site is not indexed, it won’t appear in search engine results, making it invisible to potential visitors. Ensuring your site is indexable is a fundamental aspect of SEO, as it directly affects your site’s visibility and discoverability.
Common Causes of Indexability Issues
Noindex Tags
One of the most common causes of indexability issues is the presence of noindex tags. These tags tell search engines not to index certain pages, which can be useful for pages you don’t want in search results but problematic if used incorrectly.
Robots.txt File
Another frequent issue is improper configuration of the robots.txt file. This file guides search engine crawlers on which pages to crawl and which to avoid. A misconfigured robots.txt file can block important pages from being indexed, severely impacting your site’s SEO.
Tools to Check Indexability
Google Search Console
Google Search Console is an essential tool for checking your site’s indexability. The Coverage report provides insights into which pages are indexed, which are excluded, and why, helping you identify and resolve issues.
Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider tool can also help identify indexability issues. It crawls your site and highlights pages that are blocked by robots.txt or contain noindex tags, giving you a comprehensive view of your site’s indexability status.
Steps to Fix Indexability Issues
Updating Robots.txt
To fix indexability issues, start by reviewing your robots.txt file. Ensure that critical pages are not being blocked. For instance, a line like Disallow: / can prevent your entire site from being indexed. Adjust the file to allow search engine crawlers access to important sections of your site.
Removing Noindex Tags
Next, check for noindex tags on pages that should be indexed. Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify these tags, and remove them from the pages you want search engines to index. This ensures that these pages are visible in search results.
URL Structure
Crafting SEO-Friendly URLs for Better Rankings
A clean and descriptive URL structure is crucial for both SEO and user experience. Search engines use URLs to understand the content and context of a page, which helps in indexing and ranking.
Well-structured URLs improve click-through rates (CTR) by giving users a clear idea of what to expect on the page. According to Backlinko, short and descriptive URLs are associated with higher rankings in Google.
Common URL Structure Issues
Dynamic URLs
Dynamic URLs, often containing symbols like ?, &, and =, can be problematic. They are difficult for search engines to read and understand, and they often don’t give users any indication of the page’s content.
Excessive Parameters
Excessive parameters in URLs can also cause issues. These URLs can be long, unwieldy, and difficult to remember. They can also lead to duplicate content problems, as the same page may be accessible via multiple URLs with different parameters.
Best Practices for URL Structure
Short and Descriptive
Keep URLs short and to the point. A concise URL is easier for users to read and remember, and it looks cleaner in search results. For example, use www.example.com/seo-tips instead of www.example.com/category=seo&id=12345.
Use Hyphens
Use hyphens to separate words in URLs. Hyphens improve readability for both users and search engines, unlike underscores, which are less visible. For instance, www.example.com/seo-tips is preferable to www.example.com/seotips or www.example.com/seo_tips.
Tools to Audit URL Structure
Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider tool is excellent for auditing your site’s URL structure. It identifies issues like excessively long URLs, URLs with dynamic parameters, and URLs that are not SEO-friendly, providing a comprehensive report.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs also offers robust tools for URL structure analysis. Its Site Audit feature can highlight URL issues, helping you to optimize your site’s URLs for better SEO performance.
Internal Linking
Importance of Internal Linking for SEO
Internal linking is a crucial aspect of SEO that helps search engines understand the structure and hierarchy of your website. It distributes link equity throughout your site, boosting the SEO value of important pages.
Additionally, internal links enhance user experience by guiding visitors to related content, increasing engagement and reducing bounce rates. According to Moz, a well-structured internal linking strategy can significantly improve a site’s crawlability and indexation.
Common Internal Linking Issues
Orphan Pages
Orphan pages are pages that lack internal links pointing to them. These pages are hard for search engines to find and index, effectively isolating valuable content from your site’s overall SEO strategy.
Broken Internal Links
Broken internal links occur when the destination page is moved or deleted without updating the link. These links can frustrate users and waste crawl budget, negatively impacting your site’s SEO.
Best Practices for Internal Linking
Contextual Links
Use contextual links within the body of your content to connect related pages. These links should be relevant and provide additional value to the reader. For example, if you’re writing about on-page SEO, link to a detailed guide on keyword research.
Using Relevant Anchor Text
Anchor text should be descriptive and relevant to the linked page. Avoid using generic phrases like “click here.” Instead, use keywords that accurately describe the linked content, such as “on-page SEO best practices.”
Tools to Audit Internal Linking
Screaming Frog
Screaming Frog’s SEO Spider tool can effectively audit your site’s internal linking structure. It identifies orphan pages, broken links, and other issues, providing actionable insights to improve your internal linking strategy.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs’ Site Audit feature is another powerful tool for examining internal links. It highlights issues like broken links and provides detailed reports on your site’s internal linking profile, helping you optimize link distribution.
Image Optimization
Importance of Image Optimization for Site Speed and SEO
Image optimization is crucial for improving site speed and enhancing SEO. Fast-loading images contribute to a better user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement.
Search engines like Google prioritise fast sites in their rankings, so optimizing images can directly impact your search engine performance. According to Google, sites that load within 5 seconds see 25% higher ad viewability, 35% lower bounce rates, and 70% longer average sessions.
Common Image Optimization Issues
Large File Sizes
One of the most common issues is using images with large file sizes. High-resolution images can significantly slow down page load times, affecting both user experience and SEO.
Missing Alt Text
Another frequent problem is the absence of alt text. Alt text helps search engines understand the content of an image, which is essential for image search optimization and accessibility for users with visual impairments.
Best Practices for Optimizing Images
Compressing Images
Compressing images reduces their file size without sacrificing quality. This speeds up page load times, enhancing user experience and SEO. Tools like TinyPNG and ImageOptim can efficiently compress images, making them more web-friendly.
Adding Descriptive Alt Text
Always add descriptive alt text to your images. This text should accurately describe the content of the image and include relevant keywords. For example, instead of “image1.jpg,” use “seo-optimized-website.jpg.” This practice not only helps with SEO but also improves accessibility for visually impaired users.
Tools to Optimize Images
TinyPNG
TinyPNG is a popular tool for compressing PNG and JPEG images. It reduces file sizes significantly while preserving image quality, making your site faster and more efficient.
ImageOptim
ImageOptim is another excellent tool for compressing images. It not only reduces file sizes but also removes unnecessary metadata, further optimizing your images for the web.
Transform Your SEO Game Today
Stepping into the realm of technical SEO mastery, you’re now equipped to elevate your website’s performance and visibility. The meticulous effort you put into optimizing crawlability, resolving duplicate content, and enhancing site speed will yield tangible results in search rankings and user satisfaction.
Embrace the power of structured data, impeccable URL structures, and seamless internal linking to create a web experience that’s both robust and user-centric. With these expert strategies, you’re not just improving your site—you’re future-proofing it in the ever-changing digital landscape.
Your journey to technical SEO excellence begins now, setting your website apart as a beacon of efficiency and relevance. Get ready to watch your site soar to new heights!
