Have you ever visited a website that loads too slowly or doesn’t work on your phone? That’s a sign of poor technical SEO. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is how websites get found on search engines like Google. It includes many parts and one important part is technical SEO. Technical SEO helps your website run smoothly so that search engines can understand it and people can use it easily. In this guide, we’ll explain what technical SEO is, why it matters, and how you can improve your site step by step.
1. What Is Technical SEO?
Technical SEO is the part of SEO that focuses on the backend of your website. It makes sure your website:
- Loads fast
- Works on phones and computers
- Is easy for Google to read and understand
- Has no broken pages or links
Think of technical SEO like the engine of a car. Even if your car looks great on the outside, it won’t go far without a good engine. The same is true for websites!
2. Why Technical SEO Matters
Search engines like Google send out bots (also called crawlers) to scan websites. These bots try to understand what your site is about.
If your site is slow, broken, or confusing, search engines may not rank it well. That means fewer people will find your website.
Good technical SEO helps:
- Search engines crawl and index your site
- Pages load faster for users
- Your rankings improve
- Your website stays safe and secure
So if you want your site to show up in Google search results, technical SEO is a must!
3. Core Elements of Technical SEO
Let’s go through the most important parts of technical SEO and how to fix or improve them.
a. Website Speed and Performance
A fast website keeps users happy and reduces bounce rate (when people leave quickly).
Why It Matters:
- Google uses site speed as a ranking factor
- Slow pages hurt user experience
Tools to Use:
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- GTmetrix
- Pingdom
Ways to Improve Speed:
- Compress and resize images
- Remove extra code (JavaScript, CSS)
- Use browser caching
- Get fast website hosting
b. Mobile-Friendliness
More than half of web traffic comes from mobile phones. If your site doesn’t work well on phones, you’ll lose visitors.
What to Check:
- Text size (easy to read on a small screen)
- Buttons (big enough to tap)
- Layout (doesn’t need side-scrolling)
Tools to Test:
- Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
- Google Search Console (Mobile Usability section)
c. Crawlability and Indexability
Crawling means search engine bots can visit your site. Indexing means they save your pages in their search results.
How to Help Search Engines:
- Submit a sitemap.xml (a file that lists all your pages)
- Use a robots.txt file to guide what bots can and can’t visit
- Make sure important pages aren’t blocked
Helpful Tool: Google Search Console
d. Site Architecture
This means how your pages are organized and connected.
Tips for Good Structure:
- Use a simple menu
- Keep URLs short and clear (like yourwebsite.com/leather-bags)
- Link between related pages (called internal linking)
- Use breadcrumbs (small links that show where the user is on your site)
A clean structure makes it easier for users and search engines to find everything.
e. HTTPS and Website Security
Websites that use HTTPS are safer for users. HTTPS means the data between your site and your visitor is protected.
How to Get HTTPS:
- Get an SSL certificate from your hosting provider
- Set up redirects from HTTP to HTTPS
- Check for “Not Secure” warnings in your browser
Google gives preference to secure websites, so make sure your site has HTTPS.
f. Fixing Broken Links and Redirects
Broken links lead to “404 not found” pages. This creates a bad user experience.
How to Fix:
- Use tools like Broken Link Checker or Ahrefs
- Set up 301 redirects for moved pages
- Remove or update outdated links
Good internal links help SEO and keep users on your site longer.
g. Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data is special code that tells search engines what your content means.
Examples:
- Recipes
- Reviews
- Products with prices
- Events with dates
Adding this code helps Google show your site with rich results (like stars, prices, or FAQs) in search.
Tools to Use:
- Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper
- Schema.org
- RankMath plugin (for WordPress)
4. How to Do a Technical SEO Audit
A technical audit checks your whole website for problems. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Use Free Tools
- Google Search Console (check coverage and mobile usability)
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider (free up to 500 pages)
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
Step 2: Check These Items
- Website speed
- Mobile-friendliness
- Sitemap and robots.txt
- Broken links
- HTTPS and SSL
- Structured data
Step 3: Fix Issues
- Follow tool suggestions to fix errors
- Update plugins and themes (for WordPress)
- Remove duplicate or outdated content
Doing a full audit helps you find problems before Google does.
5. Common Technical SEO Mistakes to Avoid
Many websites make simple mistakes that hurt their rankings. Avoid these:
Mistake 1: Slow Loading Time
Large images or too many plugins can slow you down.
Mistake 2: No Mobile Optimization
A desktop-only site won’t work well on phones.
Mistake 3: Broken Links
Too many 404 errors can cause Google to lower your site’s ranking.
Mistake 4: No Sitemap
Without a sitemap, Google may not find all your pages.
Mistake 5: Thin or Duplicate Content
Repeating the same content on different pages can confuse search engines.
6. How Often Should You Check Your Technical SEO?
Keeping your site healthy is not a one-time job. You should:
- Check monthly for errors and speed issues
- Run a full audit every 3–6 months
- Check after making changes, like redesigning your site or adding new features
- Use Google Search Console weekly to catch problems early
Technical SEO is an ongoing process. Regular checks keep your site safe and strong.
Summary
Technical SEO may sound hard, but it’s not as scary as it seems. It’s all about making your website faster, safer, and easier to use for both people and search engines.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Use tools to check site speed, mobile usability, and broken links.
- Submit your sitemap and fix crawl errors.
- Make sure your site is secure with HTTPS.
- Improve your site structure and use internal links.
- Add structured data to help Google understand your content better.
You don’t need to be a developer to do basic technical SEO. Just take one step at a time.
Not sure where to start or want expert help? Let our SEO team optimize your website so you can focus on growing your business while we take care of the technical details.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between on-page and technical SEO?
On-page SEO is about your content (like keywords and headings). Technical SEO is about your website’s setup (like speed, security, and structure).
2. Can I do technical SEO without coding?
Yes! Many tools are beginner-friendly. You can fix many problems using plugins or website builders.
3. How long does it take to see results?
Some fixes (like speed or mobile issues) can show results quickly. Others (like indexing or link structure) may take weeks or months.
4. Do small websites need technical SEO?
Yes. Even small sites benefit from fast speed, working links, and mobile-friendly designs.
5. What’s the best free tool for beginners?
Google Search Console is a great place to start. It shows errors and gives tips to fix them.