Technical SEO Audit: The Ultimate Checklist for 2024

As Google’s algorithms become more advanced, websites must have a solid technical foundation to optimize for and take full advantage of the latest developments. In this blog, we will discuss the critical technical SEO issues that are preventing your websites from reaching their full potential.

Site Architecture Audit

Proper site architecture helps search engines understand the relationship between pages and crawl the site efficiently. It also improves the user experience by making navigation intuitive. There are several key elements to review in a site architecture audit:

• Internal Linking Structure – Check that important pages are linked from key navigation areas like the homepage, footer, and category pages. Every page should be reachable through internal links. Identify any orphaned pages not linked from elsewhere on the site. Proper internal linking passes authority and signals importance to search engines.

• Page Hierarchy – Review whether pages are organized in a logical hierarchy. Higher-level pages like categories and the homepage should link to lower-level pages like articles and product pages. Breadcrumb navigation can help show page hierarchy.

• Duplicate Content – You must avoid having duplicate or thin content pages because it can confuse search engines and drop your site rankings.

You can create a search-friendly structure and better user experience by auditing site architecture.

On-Page Optimization Audit

On-page optimization refers to the technical elements under your control on each site page. Optimizing these elements helps search engines understand your content and rank pages higher. Key areas to audit include:

• Page Titles and Meta Descriptions – Page titles and meta descriptions represent your pages in search results. Your titles need to be below 60 characters and descriptions under 160. Make sure each page has a unique, compelling title and description.

• Content Optimization – Analyze your content to ensure adequate use of target keywords, especially in the first paragraphs. Create long-form content that is engaging, and well-structured. Try keeping keyword density between 1-3%, as keyword stuffing can hurt your site’s rankings.

• Image Alt Text – Verify that all images have descriptive, keyword-rich alt text between 125 and 155 characters. Avoid over-optimization. Alt text should complement the surrounding content. Update product images with detailed attributes. Infographics and charts should have explanatory alt text. Optimized alt text can improve image indexing and clicks from search.

Crawlability & Indexation Audit

Crawlability refers to how easily search engine crawlers can access and navigate your site to discover new and updated content. An essential part of a technical SEO audit is checking for any crawl errors or obstacles.

Start by looking in Google Search Console for any crawl errors or invalid URL responses. These can occur from incorrect redirects, blocked pages, or site architecture issues. Identify any URLs generating errors and troubleshoot the causes.

Review your robots.txt file and ensure you are not unintentionally blocking Googlebot from crawling essential site pages. You can also submit a temporary robots.txt file in the Search Console to see if any pages are being blocked.

Check index coverage reports in Search Console to identify pages Google has had trouble crawling and indexing. Prioritize fixing issues on high-value pages and new content that needs to be indexed quickly.

Slow site speed and technical errors can also negatively impact crawlability. Check site performance and resolve problems like broken links, which hinder crawlers. Improving crawlability ensures search engines can fully access and index your site.

Mobile Optimization Audit

With most searches happening on mobile devices, having a fast and mobile-friendly site is crucial for SEO in 2024. Here are key elements to audit:

• Review site speed and Core Web Vitals scores using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse. Mobile pages should load in under 3 seconds and have vital CWV metrics.

• Check for mobile layout and responsiveness issues by viewing the site on various devices. Content should not overlap, fonts should be readable, and pages should not require horizontal scrolling. The site header, navigation, and CTA buttons should function correctly.

• Audit image file sizes and compression levels, as large files can slow page loads. Images should be properly sized for mobile screens, and videos should have mobile-friendly aspect ratios and playback options.

• Review structured data markup for mobile compatibility. Ensure product schema, review snippets, and other rich results are correctly displayed on mobile SERPs.

Mobile site speed, responsiveness, and UX will significantly impact rankings in 2024. This audit helps identify and fix mobile SEO issues that are holding performance back.

Security & Performance Audit

Security and site performance are crucial technical SEO factors in 2024. Google has stated that HTTPS and fast site speed will be positive ranking factors.

Here are the key things to audit for security and performance:

• Ensure the entire site is on HTTPS, not just the homepage. HTTP pages will be flagged as “not secure” in Chrome and hurt user experience.

• Check for any broken links or redirects by crawling the site. Redirect chains and 404 errors frustrate users.

• Review server response times and page load speeds. Sites should aim for a load time of under 2 seconds on mobile.

You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Pingdom, and Screaming Frog to identify performance issues with your site.

Fixing Technical SEO Issues

Here are some best practices for addressing common technical SEO problems:

• For site architecture issues like orphaned pages or thin content, 301 redirects or consolidates pages. Internal linking can also help strengthen the structure. As per Moz’s guidance, fixing site architecture should be a top priority for maximum ranking benefits.

• To optimize on-page elements, update page titles, meta descriptions, headers, etc., to align with target keywords. Proper formatting, such as bolding keywords, can also help. This allows search engines to understand page content and relevance.

• For crawl errors, identify and fix blocked resources or use robots.txt judiciously. Ranked.ai recommends prioritizing indexation issues since they directly impact rankings and traffic.

• Optimize images, enable compression, and fix performance bottlenecks to improve site speed and Core Web Vitals. Faster sites lead to better user experience, a factor in rankings.

When prioritizing fixes, focus on issues impacting the most important pages and those providing maximum rankings lift. Technical SEO should be an ongoing process as part of regular site maintenance.

Conclusion

By implementing a comprehensive technical SEO audit, you’ve taken the first crucial step toward unlocking your website’s true potential in search rankings and organic traffic. However, navigating the complexities of technical SEO and ongoing optimization can be a challenge.

That’s where Zorbis comes in. Our team of experienced SEO specialists possesses the expertise to meticulously analyze your website, identify technical roadblocks, and craft a customized SEO strategy to propel your site to the forefront of search results. We don’t just identify problems; we deliver solutions. From optimizing site architecture and on-page elements to ensuring flawless crawlability and mobile-friendliness, we empowers your website to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of search engine algorithms.