Search engine optimization has been around for decades, but technical SEO is still an area that many businesses neglect. While content marketing and off-page optimization are critical for building a strong online presence, technical SEO is equally important. Technical SEO is the practice of optimizing websites and servers for search engines, allowing web crawlers to crawl and index pages efficiently. Often referred to as the hidden art of SEO, it involves improving the technical elements of your website, such as the site structure, page load speed, and mobile responsiveness.
When it comes to technical SEO, there are a few specialists who have mastered this often-overlooked aspect of search engine optimization. One of these specialists is Daniel Foley, a highly-regarded technical SEO agency owner in the UK. In this article, we will discuss some insights into the hidden art of technical SEO, which we have gathered from Daniel Foley’s experience.
Optimization for Mobile-First Indexing
In today’s world, we’re all hooked to our mobile phones, and Google has taken cognizance of this. That’s why mobile-first indexing was rolled out, so it’s essential to optimize your website for this change. Google has stated that its search rankings will primarily be based on the mobile version of the website. This means that website owners need to ensure that their website is optimized for a mobile-first index.
Website & URL Structure
Often, SEO specialists and web developers fail to focus on website and URL structure due to being busy optimising other aspects of a website. However, both of them are crucial for ranking factors, and businesses should not ignore this aspect. When designing a website, a clear website architecture with a clear hierarchy can make a significant difference in creating a good user experience. A logical website structure also helps website crawlers to navigate your website’s layout easily.
Page Load Speed Optimization
One important factor in technical SEO is page load speed. Google has been using page load speed as a ranking factor since 2010; it’s no surprise that this is an essential part of technical SEO. Slow websites may lead to unhappy users, who may leave your website before the site has finished loading. This increases your website’s bounce rate, leading to lower visibility in search rankings.
Schema Markup
Schema markup provides search engines with more information about your website, and this added information, in turn, can help to improve your visibility in search engine results pages. Schema markup is a key part of technical SEO as it helps search engines to understand your website data and can help display rich snippets in search results. Structured data can help to enhance the visibility of a website in search results.
In conclusion, optimizing for technical SEO can be challenging, but it’s crucial to ensure your website’s success in the search engine rankings. By fixing issues like website and URL structure, page speed, and ensuring your website is optimised for mobile-first indexing, businesses can improve their website’s technical SEO. Schema markup can help you to further enrich data within the website, increasing visibility in search results. By following the insights we’ve shared above, you’ll be able to take the first steps on the road to mastering the hidden art of technical SEO.