Here's How To Perform A Technical SEO Audit For Better Website Rankings

Picture this: you’re getting ready for the biggest movie premiere of your career. The cameras are flashing, the red carpet is waiting and the fans are lined up, eager to see you shine.

Now, what if, just before the big moment, you realize the film wasn’t edited properly? The story is all over the place and critical scenes are missing. Technical flaws would overshadow your performance as the star, and the audience might leave dissatisfied.

Now, think of your website as that blockbuster movie. It’s your digital stage and a Technical Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Audit is like having a meticulous editor fine-tune every frame to make sure your content dazzles your audience.

In the same way, you wouldn’t let your movie hit theaters without ensuring it’s perfect, your website deserves the same attention. After all, 75% of users don’t even scroll past the first page of search results, according to HubSpot. A wrong first impression online could cost you, just like a poorly edited movie!

You see, a technical SEO audit is your website’s red-carpet prep. It helps uncover:

• Broken Links: Like doors to nowhere.

• Slow Page Speeds: The digital equivalent of long, awkward pauses.

• Poor Site Structure: That confusing subplot no one understands.

Now that we understand the importance of a technical SEO audit, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide to conducting one. This will help you uncover hidden issues and optimize your site for better rankings.

So roll up your sleeves and let’s get started!

Step-By-Step Guide To Conducting A Technical SEO Audit

Alright, you’ve got your website prepped and ready to take center stage but how do you make sure it’s genuinely polished for search engines? Here's how.

Step #1: Crawl Your Website

Start by crawling your website using tools like Screaming Frog or DeepCrawl. These tools help analyze your site structure, links and content. You’ll want to address issues like broken links, redirects and crawl errors. Think of it like a detective searching for clues—every broken link is a clue that needs solving!

Step #2: Check Site Architecture And Internal Linking

Next, ensure your site has a logical structure. Aim for a flat hierarchy—no more than three clicks deep to reach any page. Audit your internal links to make sure they’re adequately distributed across critical pages. It’s like organizing your closet; everything should be easy to find!

Step #3: Audit Your Sitemap And Robots.txt File

Your sitemap should be optimized and all critical pages should be indexed. Meanwhile, the robots.txt file should exclude irrelevant pages. This is like giving search engines a map of your treasure while keeping them away from the junk!

Step #4: Evaluate Page Speed And Core Web Vitals

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s load time. Improving Core Web Vitals metrics like LCP, FID and CLS can significantly boost your rankings. Google mentions that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than three seconds to load.

Step #5: Check Mobile Responsiveness

Test your site for mobile friendliness. With mobile-first indexing, it’s crucial to ensure your site performs well on mobile devices. Imagine trying to watch a movie on a tiny screen—frustrating, right?

Step #6: Inspect Security (HTTPS and SSL)

Verify that your site uses HTTPS and has a valid SSL certificate. This ensures secure connections. Think of it as locking your front door; you want to keep your visitors safe!

Step #7: Fix Technical On-Page SEO Issues

Finally, review and optimize your meta tags, structured data and canonical tags. Avoid duplicate content like the plague! It’s like having two of the same movies on your shelf—who needs that?

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to a solid technical SEO audit. Remember, it’s all about making your site user-friendly and search engine-friendly.

Hold your horses—we're not done yet!

Let’s now explore the tools you’ll need to make this audit process easier and more efficient, shall we?

Tools To Use For A Technical SEO Audit

When diving into a technical SEO audit, having the right tools is like having a trusty sidekick in a superhero movie. They help you uncover hidden issues and boost your website's performance. Here’s a quick rundown of some essential tools:

Google Search Console

• Purpose: Monitors your site’s presence in Google search results.

• Key Features: Identifies crawl errors, checks indexing status and analyzes search traffic.

• Fun Fact: Over 90% of websites use Google Search Console to track their SEO performance.

Screaming Frog

• Purpose: Crawls your website to find SEO issues.

• Key Features: Checks for broken links, analyzes page titles and reviews meta descriptions.

• Highlight: It’s like having a magnifying glass for your website!

DeepCrawl

• Purpose: Provides in-depth analysis of your site’s structure.

• Key Features: Offers insights on site architecture and internal linking.

• Stat: 70% of users report improved site performance after using DeepCrawl.

Google Analytics

• Purpose: Tracks and reports website traffic.

• Key Features: Analyzes user behavior and identifies high-traffic pages.

• Erotesis: How else would you know where your visitors are coming from?

SEO Checker

• Purpose: An all-in-one tool for quick audits.

• Key Features: Provides a complete SEO score, site speed analysis and content grade.

• Highlight: It’s like having a personal trainer for your website’s SEO!

Remember that using a combination of these tools can give you a comprehensive view of your site’s health. Don’t just rely on one; mix and match for the best results!

With these tools in your arsenal, you’re ready to tackle any issues that pop up during your audit.

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Next up, let’s explore some common problems you might encounter!

Common Issues Found In Technical SEO Audits

Diving into a technical SEO audit is like searching for hidden treasures in a vast ocean. However, stay aware!

There are common pitfalls that can sink your ship. Here’s a look at some of the most frequent issues that pop up:

Broken Links

• 404 Errors: These are like dead ends in a maze. They frustrate users and search engines alike. According to a study by SEMrush, 70% of websites have broken links.

• Redirect Chains: Too many redirects can slow down your site. It’s like taking the scenic route when you want to get to the point.

Slow Page Speed

• Core Web Vitals: Google emphasizes the importance of these metrics. A slow site can lead to a 32% increase in bounce rates, as they mentioned. Who wants to wait around, right?

• Large Images: Oversized images can drag your site down. Optimize them to keep your site zippy!

Poor Site Structure

• Confusing Navigation: If users can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll leave. A clear structure is essential.

• Deep Hierarchies: Ideally, no page should be more than three clicks away. Think of it like a good movie plot—keep it straightforward!

Missing Meta Tags

• Title And Description Tags: These are your site’s first impression. Missing them is like showing up to a party in pajamas—definitely not a good look!

• Alt Text For Images: This helps with accessibility and boosts SEO. Don’t leave your images in the dark!

Unoptimized Images

• File Size: Large files can slow down your site. Compress them to keep things running smoothly.

• Incorrect Formats: Using the wrong format can lead to display issues. Stick to the standards!

Remember: A technically sound website should be secure, quick to load and easy to navigate. Don’t let these common issues hold you back!

Now that you know what to avoid, let's learn more about prioritizing and fixing these issues firsthand.

How To Prioritize And Fix SEO Issues

When it comes to fixing SEO issues, it’s like organizing your closet. You wouldn’t just toss everything in there and hope for the best, right? Here’s how to prioritize:

• Crawlability Issues: If search engines can’t crawl your site, it’s like hiding your kid's best toys under the bed. Fix these first!

• Broken Links: These are like dead ends in a maze. They frustrate users and hurt your website rankings.

• Page Speed: Slow sites are like waiting for a bus that never comes. To keep users happy, aim for a load time under 3 seconds.

Once you’ve identified the problems, it’s time to roll up your sleeves:

• Collaborate With Developers: Many fixes require backend work so team up with developers to tackle the big stuff.

• Use Tools: Using previously mentioned tools, such as Google Search Console, can help you find and fix issues quickly.

• Monitor Progress: Keep track of what you’ve fixed and what still needs attention. A simple spreadsheet can do wonders.

Just like you wouldn’t skip your annual check-up, don’t skip your SEO audits. Regular checks help you stay on top of issues before they snowball. Aim for at least one audit every six months.

Thus, prioritizing and fixing SEO issues is crucial for maintaining a healthy website. By focusing on the most critical problems first, you can improve your site’s performance and user experience.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!

It's A Wrap!

Performing a technical SEO audit might sound daunting but it’s really just a fancy way of saying, "Let’s make sure our website is in tip-top shape!"

Remember, it’s all about finding those pesky issues that could be holding your site back from shining in search results. Just take it one step at a time and don’t stress if you can’t fix everything at once.

Focus on the big stuff first, like making sure your site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly and hey, don’t forget to schedule your next audit—keeping your site healthy is a continuous process.

Now go forth and conquer those rankings like the SEO superhero you are!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Technical SEO Audit?

A technical SEO audit checks how well your website works for search engines and looks for problems that might prevent it from showing up high in search results.

Why Is It Important To Do A Technical SEO Audit?

Doing a technical SEO audit helps find issues that can hurt your website's ranking. Fixing these problems can improve your site's visibility and attract more visitors.

How Often Should I Perform A Technical SEO Audit?

It's a good idea to do a technical SEO audit at least once or twice a year. This helps keep your website in good shape and ready for search engines.