You can also Enable expert options to access advanced crawler settings for List Mode. It is especially important to check the domain for penalties when you buy an already-used one. There is a risk of buying not only the domain but also its previous penalties by Google. To avoid this trap, consult our guides on how to choose expired domains, and how not to get trapped into the Google sandbox during a website launch. There are two predominant data sets that Lighthouse/PSI use to determine your site’s score; lab data and field data. Lab data is extracted from a controlled environment, using predetermined network and device settings.
Tools like heatmaps and user surveys can show you what people really want. Then, invest in creating high-quality, helpful content that people can use. I have helped a client recover from an SEO penalty, and one thing I learned was that it requires patience and a lot of it. From the penalty that appeared in Google Search Console and until it was lifted we waited 8 months. They’re usually quite specific about what the penalty is about, and you have to prioritize to fix it immediately.
When compared to print advertising, the differences are striking. SEO offers a global, 24/7 presence, driving free, organic traffic to your website. The reach is virtually unlimited, and your content is available around the clock.
These are problematic because they waste “link equity” and provide users with a negative experience. Alt text can also serve as anchor text for image links, help you to rank on Google Images, and improve topical relevance. If you are looking to optimize existing images, there are tools available, especially for more popular content management systems (CMSs) like SEO Anomaly WordPress.
- If you have a majority of short-tail keywords, which only contain one or two words, you’ll want to rethink your strategy.
- With WebFX’s Google Preview Tool, you can see what your page title and description will look like SERPs.
- Basically, everything that has been done in first two steps (during technical and on-page analysis) is performed so that your website would be better and more visible to Google.
- With 75 percent of users sticking to the first page of search results, you can direct a tremendous amount of valuable traffic to your website.
- Beyond the quality of the content itself, these technical issues need to be checked and addressed.
Finde Keywords, für die deine Konkurrenten ranken, du aber nicht
Add the domain link and a set of specific URLs you want to crawl. If your site has been penalized, you will see a corresponding notice in Google Search Console. Make sure to address the warning before you proceed further with an SEO audit checklist.
Ensure your domain is penalty-free
H1 tags are the main headers on your pages, providing valuable information to search crawlers and helping users determine if your content is relevant and valuable. This involves targeting specific markets and increasing visibility in local searches. Google is smart enough to know whether or not you’re intentionally and maliciously duplicating content on your site to clog the SERP with your site’s URLs. A more likely scenario, if you have duplicate content, is that it’s happening unintentionally. Given the above section on types of SEO audits, we’ve compiled a checklist for a pretty well-rounded SEO audit that incorporates technical, off-page, and on-page SEO.
Pay close attention to whether responsive web design works correctly, meaning your site adapts to various screen sizes. Review CTAs and forms to confirm they are accessible and functional on mobile devices, especially ensuring buttons are easy to tap and forms are simple to fill out. Document any issues you find so they can be addressed during your site updates. SEO audit tools like Moz, Ahrefs, or Semrush can audit your backlink profile. The results show a list of spammy backlinks and links from irrelevant websites with low authority. If spammy websites link to you, there’s an option in Google Search Console to disavow these links.
Upon auditing your site, check to make sure your site is encrypted with HTTPS. As long as you have that designation, your site will be secure for your audience, and Google will allow your site to rank. One of the easiest ways to make your site mobile-friendly is by using a responsive design. A responsive design ensures that your website adapts to whatever device a user is using.