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Technical SEO Guide for Beginners
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a broad field with many different facets. While on-page and off-page SEO often take the spotlight, technical SEO forms the critical foundation upon which all your other SEO efforts are built. For beginners, technical SEO can seem intimidating, but understanding the basics is essential for any UK business looking to succeed online. This guide will demystify technical SEO and provide you with a clear roadmap to get started.
What is Technical SEO?
Technical SEO refers to the process of optimising the technical aspects of your website to help search engines crawl, index, and understand your site more effectively. A technically sound website is more likely to rank higher in search results because it provides a better experience for both search engines and users.
Key Elements of Technical SEO for Beginners
Here are the fundamental elements of technical SEO that every beginner should focus on:
1. Website Speed
In today’s fast-paced digital world, users expect websites to load quickly. Page speed is a confirmed ranking factor for both desktop and mobile searches. A slow website can lead to a high bounce rate, which signals to search engines that users are not having a good experience. You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test your site’s speed and get recommendations for improvement.
2. Mobile-Friendliness
With the majority of searches now happening on mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means it primarily looks at the mobile version of your site for ranking. Ensure your website is responsive and provides a seamless experience on all devices.
3. Secure Your Website with HTTPS
HTTPS is a secure version of the HTTP protocol that encrypts the data exchanged between a user’s browser and your website. Having a secure website is not only crucial for protecting your users’ data but is also a confirmed ranking signal. You can secure your site by installing an SSL certificate.
4. XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap is a file that lists all the important pages on your website, making it easier for search engines to find and index your content. Think of it as a roadmap for search engine crawlers. You can create an XML sitemap using various online tools or a WordPress plugin like Yoast SEO and submit it to Google Search Console.
5. Robots.txt
Robots.txt is a file that tells search engines which pages or sections of your site they should not crawl. This is useful for preventing search engines from indexing duplicate content, private pages, or other areas of your site that you don’t want to appear in search results.
6. Site Structure and Navigation
A logical and intuitive site structure is important for both users and search engines. A well-structured website is easy to navigate, allowing users to find the information they need quickly. It also helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your content and how different pages relate to each other.
Our Overall Thoughts
Technical SEO is the bedrock of a successful SEO strategy. By ensuring your website is fast, secure, mobile-friendly, and easy for search engines to crawl and index, you are setting yourself up for long-term success. While technical SEO can be complex, focusing on these fundamental elements is a great starting point for any beginner. A technically sound website will not only improve your rankings but also provide a better experience for your users, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
Need help with the technical side of your SEO?
Our team of technical SEO experts at Validus Media can ensure your website is perfectly optimised for search engines.
