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Technical SEO: A Comprehensive Guide for Small Businesses
- THEODORE GEORGEDAKIS
- Oct 5
- 3 min read
Technical SEO is the foundation of a properly optimized website. It focuses on improving the technical structure and functionality of the website to ensure that search engines can "read", understand and rank it in the highest positions.
Below we will analyze the basic elements of Technical SEO and how to implement them.
1. Website Speed
Loading speed affects user experience and Google rankings. Websites that load quickly are more likely to retain visitors.
How to improve speed:
Image optimization: Use compressed image formats, such as WebP.
Use CDN (Content Delivery Network): Speeds up loading by distributing content across multiple servers worldwide.
Enable caching: Temporarily hold data on the user's device for fast loading.
JavaScript & CSS Minification: Minimize unnecessary code.
Tools:
Google PageSpeed Insights: Check speed and get suggestions.
GTmetrix: Examine problems and solutions in site structure.
2. Mobile-Friendly Design
Google uses the mobile-first indexing approach, which means it prioritizes the mobile version of your site.
What to do:
Responsive Design: Make sure your website adapts to every device.
Check usability: Make sure buttons, menus, and content are easily accessible.
Test: Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.
3. HTTPS and Security
Google prioritizes websites that are secure. Using HTTPS increases trust and protects user data.
How to implement HTTPS:
Purchase and install an SSL certificate through your hosting provider.
Check that all pages are redirected from HTTP to HTTPS.
Use tools like SSL Labs to confirm that your SSL is configured correctly.
4. URL Structure
Search engine friendly URLs help with optimization and make content easier to understand.
Best practices:
Use clean and short URLs (e.g., example.com/services/web-design).
Include the main keyword in the URL.
Avoid characters like ? or &.
5. XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap is a "map" that helps search engines find and understand your content.
How to create an XML Sitemap:
If you use WordPress, add the Yoast SEO Plugin or Rank Math.
Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console.
6. Robots.txt
The robots.txt file directs search engines about which pages to crawl and which to ignore.
What to check:
Avoid banning important pages.
Use the Robots.txt Tester tool in Google Search Console.
7. Canonical Tags
If you have content that repeats (e.g., products with variations), canonical tags help search engines understand which page is the "master" page.
How to use them:
Add the canonical tag to of the page.
Make sure it points to the master version of the page.
8. Internal Structure and Navigation
Internal connectivity helps search engines "read" your site.
Tips:
Link related pages together.
Use a logical category structure (e.g., example.com/blog/seo-tips).
Add breadcrumbs for better navigation.
9. Fixing Broken Links
Broken links create a bad user experience and lower your rankings.
How to spot them:
Use the Broken Link Checker tool or Screaming Frog.
Repair or remove broken links.
10. Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Schema markup provides search engines with more information about your content.
Advantages:
Improves appearance on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) with rich snippets.
Adds data about products, events, reviews, etc.
How to apply it:
Use the Google Structured Data Markup Helper.
Test your data with the Rich Results Test.
Conclusion
Technical SEO is essential for the health of your website and improving your search engine rankings. Invest in these technical elements, and you will see the difference in your site's performance.
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