Extensive Technical SEO Checklist: 2024 Edition

Many moving parts are required for an effective SEO campaign. Great content. Backlinks. Covering the latest trends and keywords. All of this is fantastic, but the work can quickly crumble if just one element is missing.

This is certainly the case if your technical SEO isn’t firing on all cylinders.

All it takes is for one issue – such as crawler bots being blocked from accessing your content – to cause significant damage to your entire marketing strategy. This is why it’s key you perform technical SEO audits on a regular basis. If you’re doing this on your own, the following checklist for SEO will describe what to cover.

Below is your technical SEO checklist, 2024 edition!

Website Speed Optimization

The first point of any technical SEO checklist should cover website speed. A fast-loading site isn’t done simply to appease the search engines, but also to improve the user experience for visitors to your website. Numerous ways to enhance your site’s loading speed include image optimization, leveraging content delivery networks, and minimizing HTTP requests.

Mobile Responsiveness

More people than ever use mobile devices to browse the internet – and the number only continues to go up. As a result, ensure your website automatically adjusts to fit different screen sizes. A mobile-friendly design is key as search engines prioritize mobile user experience in their rankings.

HTTPS and SSL

HTTPS is one of the first entries on any technical SEO checklist for new websites. This is because it includes an SSL certificate. SSL is used to encrypt data between the user’s browser and your server. This security measure is not just a ranking factor – it also builds trust with those visiting your site.

Crawl Errors

Crawl errorsGoogle crawl errors are errors that prevent Google from accessing a page. should always be fixed straight away. The reason is simple: they can prevent search engines from effectively indexing your site, potentially harming your visibility and rankings. These errors can be identified and fixed via tools like the Google Search Console.

XML Sitemap

Why should you create an XML sitemapA site map is a list of pages on your site and their relative importance. Use sitemaps to make it easier for visitors to find what they're looking for, and to ensure that search engines can find all the information they need.? Why is it part of this SEO strategy checklist? Simple: with one in place, search engines are capable of crawling and indexing your content with greater speed and accuracy. A tool like Screaming Frog makes it easy to create an XML sitemap listing all important pages of your site.

URL Structure

One of the most important points we cover with our SEO services is the URL structure. While this may seem straightforward, even automatic, a clear and logical URL structure doesn’t happen by accident. It needs to be done with care and relevant keywords. When achieved, well-structured URLs are easier for search engines to crawl – and for users to also explore your site.

301 Redirects

Properly set up 301 redirectsA redirect is a web page that loads in place of another web page. for any outdated or removed pages. This ensures search engine bots – along with users – are directed to relevant, updated content. It may be a small addition for SEO Checklists, but it’s important for preserving link equity.

Broken Links

Broken linksHyperlinks, also known as links, are the connection points on a webpage that take you to other webpages. are something you should always try to avoid. They negatively impact user experience and can harm your site’s credibility – and ranking – with Google. As part of your SEO technical checklist, regularly check for and repair broken internal and external links.

Image Optimization

Large images (and videos) can consume a lot of bandwidth, negatively impacting site speed. To prevent that from happening, optimize images for faster loading by compressing file sizes and using appropriate formats. Additionally, incorporate descriptive alt tags for improved accessibility and search engine understanding.

Keep Content Updated

If detected, any technical SEO report will tell you that outdated content is a big no-no – and it should be removed immediately. At least in most cases. A better choice may be to update outdated pages when possible. This way you can keep the equity already gained by the page, while supporting it with fresh, relevant content for new visitors.

404 Page Optimization

Nobody wants to encounter a 404 (Page Not Found) page. However, you can customize this page to be helpful and engaging rather than simply displaying an error. This can be done with an amusing image for instance, along with links to popular or relevant content. This can improve user experience, guide visitors back to useful parts of your site, and reduce bounce rates, which indirectly benefits SEO.

Security

We’ve already mentioned SSL. However, there are other ways to prioritize security and make sure all your on-page SEO efforts are protected. Regularly update your CMS, use strong passwords, implement security plugins or tools, and consider a web application firewall.

Hreflang Tags

Do you serve a multinational audience and require international SEO? In that case, the first priority for your international SEO checklist should be hreflang tags. These tell search engines which language or regional version of a page is relevant for users in different areas. This not only ensures users are pointed in the right direction, but it also prevents content duplication issues.

Conclusion

Implementing a comprehensive, well-structured website SEO checklist is vital for optimizing visibility and performance in search engine results. By covering all of the technical SEO factors that can be uncovered during technical SEO audits listed above, you can ensure your site is in great shape for 2024 and beyond.

Admittedly, doing all of this in-house can be a time-consuming challenge. That’s why our SEO audit service is here if you require assistance. You can gain expert insights into your site’s performance, identifying key areas for optimization and continued strategic improvement.