Technical SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website to meet the guidelines set by search engines so that it can be easily accessed and indexed. By conducting a technical SEO audit, you can evaluate your website’s current SEO performance and identify areas for improvement to enhance the overall user experience. With the increasing popularity of smartphones and the rise in global smartphone users, search engines like Google have updated their algorithms to prioritize factors such as site speed and mobile experience when ranking web pages. As a result, websites with poor structural design, slow loading time, and faulty redirects may be penalized by Google. Failure to address these technical SEO issues can lead to a significant drop in search rankings and organic traffic. Considering that the top organic search results receive approximately 35% of clicks, a decline in ranking can have a detrimental impact on your business.
Technical Issues That Can Have An Impact On A Website’s SEO Performance
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Technical issues not only have an impact on a website’s ranking but also its usability and effectiveness. Some commonly overlooked technical issues that can negatively affect SEO performance include:
Https Issues
Google considers a website’s HTTPS encryption, which signifies a safe browsing experience, as a ranking factor. Without an SSL or TLS certificate, a website’s ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs) may suffer.
Broken Pages
Pages that display 4XY errors or 5XY errors are not indexed by search engines like Google. Consequently, these broken pages do not direct traffic to the website, leading to a decrease in visibility.
Duplicate Content
Having duplicate content, whether it is an exact duplicate or closely similar, can confuse search engines and hinder their ability to provide the most relevant content to users. This can harm a website’s SEO performance.
Crawlability
Issues with crawl ability impact how search engines understand and index a website. For instance, if a website lacks an XML sitemap, it becomes challenging for search engines to crawl and comprehend the website’s structure and content, resulting in decreased visibility on SERPs.
Loading Page Speed
Slow page load speeds harm user experience and engagement. If a website takes too long to load, visitors are more likely to bounce and choose a competitor’s faster site instead. It is important to address and resolve these technical issues to ensure optimal SEO performance for a website.
Significance Of Technical SEO For My Website And Online Presence
Technical SEO consultant helps in fixing all the technical errors mentioned above. Implementing Technical SEO is crucial as it helps improve the rankings of your website on search engine results pages (SERPs). By optimizing your website technically, it becomes more accessible to search engine robots, allowing them to easily navigate and evaluate its various technical aspects, such as page load speed. This optimization also facilitates better comprehension of your website’s content and structure. Furthermore, Technical SEO aids in the elimination of duplicate content and the creation of structured data, ensuring a smoother website experience. In addition to making it user-friendly, focusing on Technical SEO enhances the functionality of your website.
These Are Some Of The Elements That Technical SEO Consultants Will Optimize:
1. Optimizing Page Load Time
The speed at which your website loads is an important factor in your SEO strategy. This applies to both user experience and search engine algorithms. For instance, if your page takes more than 4 seconds to load, a majority of users are likely to click away, resulting in higher bounce rates.
This indicates to search engines that your website provides a poor user experience, leading to lower rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs). A technical SEO consultant will analyze factors such as image size, broken code, and other elements on the page that may contribute to slow page load times.
2. Optimizing Design
Enhancing website usability and appeal is crucial for design optimization. Consider the scenario where you land on a website consisting solely of text; chances are you would quickly click away. Search algorithms consider dwell time, which represents the duration users spend on a website, as a vital metric. By implementing a visually appealing and captivating design, you enhance the probability of users staying on your site and exploring its content.
A technical SEO consultant possesses the expertise to ensure easy navigation and an appealing design for your website. Furthermore, they guarantee that your images are optimized by providing them with appropriate names and alt attributes that cater to search engine requirements.
3. Mobile Responsiveness
In today’s mobile-centric web traffic landscape, the responsiveness of a website plays a crucial role in its search engine rankings. It means that your website must adapt to different devices, ensuring that users can access and view it properly. While a technical SEO consultant may not be responsible for making your website responsive, they can identify any pages that may not be mobile-friendly.
4. Optimizing Links
Your technical SEO consultant plays a crucial role in guiding you on how links can impact your SEO strategy. Four key aspects of your linking strategy can significantly influence your results:
Rectifying Broken Links:
Search engines penalize websites with broken links. These easily fixable issues are promptly addressed by your technical SEO consultant.
Enhancing Internal Links:
Properly structuring your website and ensuring that your pages are interconnected can greatly improve your search engine rankings. Your technical SEO consultant will assist you in architecting your website and organizing your content optimally.
Leveraging External Links:
Strategic incorporation of relevant external links to reputable websites can boost your SEO efforts.
Utilizing Anchor Text:
Instead of simply hyperlinking the full URL, a technical SEO consultant can help you create meaningful anchor text. This not only enhances the user experience but also provides context for search algorithms.
5. Page Structure
When considering technical SEO, consultants pay close attention to how your page is structured, especially when it comes to longer-form content. They assess various factors including:
Utilization Of Headers
Headers provide a straightforward way for search engines to understand the main focus of your page. Ranging from H1 to H3 in terms of significance, headers must be optimized with primary and secondary keywords to achieve the best results.
Enhancement Of Featured Snippets
Technical SEO consultants employ different formatting techniques such as lists and bullet points to increase the likelihood of your content being displayed in Google’s featured snippets. This valuable feature allows users to obtain information relevant to their queries without necessarily clicking through to your page.
Indications That You Require The Services Of An SEO Consultant
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Determining whether you need a technical SEO consultant is often straightforward. If your website fails to generate leads or conversions from organic traffic, and if Google and other search engines are vital to your marketing strategy, collaborating with a technical SEO consultant is highly recommended.
Your Website Traffic Is Stagnant Or Declining
The growth or decline of traffic from search engines is a fundamental indicator of the effectiveness of your SEO strategy. If your traffic fails to increase over time or shows a decline, it is crucial to either hire a technical SEO consultant or replace your existing one.
Not all businesses see search traffic as significant, but it is rare for businesses to fall into this category. Even if you underestimate the importance of search traffic for your business, statistics show that 51% of shoppers utilize Google to research and make online purchases. By not ranking in Google, you could be missing out on a massive audience.
Google Has Penalized Your Website
If your rankings have plummeted after a Google core update, chances are you have been penalized for not adhering to their best practices. Overcoming Google penalties is difficult without the help of a technical SEO professional, and attempting to fix the issue yourself could potentially cause more harm than good. Additionally, a technical SEO consultant can assist you in preventing future penalties by following Google’s webmaster guidelines.
Your Internal SEO Team Is Ineffective
Some businesses attempt to establish an in-house SEO team or hire a marketing manager with knowledge in various aspects of digital marketing. However, this approach often falls short. Not only will a technical SEO consultant possess more experience than an in-house team, but they will also prove to be a more cost-effective solution, even if your SEO department consists of just one person.
You Lack The Time For SEO
Even if you or your marketing manager are SEO experts, there is no guarantee that you will have sufficient time to implement strategies that enhance your rankings. Although SEO is a crucial marketing channel, other responsibilities may take priority. If you find yourself overwhelmed with tasks from dealing with customers, suppliers, and shareholders, outsourcing your SEO work to a consultant is a wise decision.
Finding A Reliable Technical SEO Consultant
Finding a reliable technical SEO consultant can be a challenge, but there are effective ways to narrow down your options. Consider the following methods:
1. Seek Recommendations From Your Network:
Start by reaching out to trusted colleagues, business owners, and managers who have experience working with technical SEO consultants. They can provide valuable insights and recommend consultants they have had positive experiences with.
2. Conduct A Google Search:
Utilize the power of Google to find a wide range of technical SEO consultants. However, keep in mind that high rankings on Google do not guarantee the consultant’s suitability for your specific needs. It is essential to consider other factors in your decision-making process.
3. Leverage Online Directories:
Websites such as Clutch, UpCity, and G2 gather reviews and rankings for SEO professionals. While these platforms can help you create a shortlist of potential candidates, it is important to approach the rankings with scepticism. Consider the consultant’s expertise and compatibility with your business goals.
4. Explore Reputable SEO Blogs:
Industry-leading blogs like Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, and The Moz Blog feature informative articles written by experienced SEO professionals. These blogs can serve as a resource to find potential technical SEO consultants who demonstrate their knowledge through insightful content.
5. Utilize Job Boards:
Platforms such as Upwork, AngelList, and Dynamite Jobs allow you to post job advertisements seeking technical SEO consultants. This method offers the advantage of attracting interested consultants, and many job boards carefully vet applicants before allowing them to apply, ensuring a level of quality.
By utilizing a combination of these methods, you can increase your chances of finding a skilled technical SEO consultant who aligns with your specific needs and goals. Remember to thoroughly evaluate each candidate before making a final decision.
Qualities Of An Excellent Technical SEO Consultant
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Distinguishing exceptional Technical SEO Consultants from the rest can be based on a few key traits. When considering potential candidates for the role, it is advisable to look for the following attributes:
Extensive Experience:
It is crucial to select a technical SEO consultant who possesses several years of experience in the industry. The more time they have spent working on various websites, the better their understanding of effective strategies and the stronger their portfolio of successful case studies.
Noteworthy Track Record:
A reputable technical SEO consultant should have documented evidence of their accomplishments. They should be able to demonstrate the specific actions they took to improve a client’s search rankings and the subsequent impact. Additionally, they should be open to providing references from previous clients for further verification.
Long-Term Perspective:
Opt for a technical SEO consultant who is committed to a long-term partnership, rather than one who may abandon your business for another client after a short period. The consultant needs to articulate the lasting benefits of SEO for your business and present a roadmap for achieving those objectives.
Holistic Mindset:
A competent technical SEO consultant understands that SEO is just one element of an integrated marketing strategy. Consequently, they should be willing to collaborate with other team members and departments within your organization to align your SEO efforts with broader marketing objectives. By considering these essential characteristics, you can find an exceptional technical SEO consultant who can effectively contribute to your business’s success.
Noteworthy Track Record:
A reputable technical SEO consultant should have documented evidence of their accomplishments. They should be able to demonstrate the specific actions they took to improve a client’s search rankings and the subsequent impact. Additionally, they should be open to providing references from previous clients for further verification.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a technical SEO consultant plays a crucial role in optimizing your website’s technical aspects to improve its search engine rankings and overall user experience. By addressing technical issues such as page load time, design optimization, mobile responsiveness, and meta tag information, a consultant ensures that your website is accessible, user-friendly, and compliant with search engine guidelines. Hiring a technical SEO consultant is especially important if your website traffic is stagnant or declining if your website has been penalized by search engines, if your internal SEO team is ineffective, or if you lack the time to implement SEO strategies. To find a reliable consultant, seek recommendations from your network, conduct a Google search, leverage online directories and reputable SEO blogs, and utilize job boards. Look for consultants with extensive experience, a noteworthy track record, a long-term perspective, and a holistic mindset. By considering these qualities, you can find an excellent technical SEO consultant to enhance your website’s performance and online presence.