A website analysis provides deep insight into how search engines rate your website. It helps you understand current performance and discover what optimizations are needed to improve your online visibility. In this article, we discuss the key steps for effective website analysis.
Technical SEO Audit
It is essential that search engines index only one unique version of your home page and pages. Check that your website is set up correctly with or without “www.” Use a tool such as the Redirect Path Chrome extension to see if all URL variants are directed to the correct URL via a 301 redirect.
Source Code Analysis
A website’s source code provides valuable information about its structure and any SEO issues. Use tools such as Unminify to make compressed HTML code readable. Check for unnecessary code and remove it using a plugin such as Perfmatters.
Open Graph Protocol
Open Graph tags allow for optimal display of shared links on social media. Make sure they are set correctly, including the correct image and locale tag (e.g., nl_NL). Use tools such as the Open Graph Preview Tool to detect errors.
Heading Structure
A good heading structure is the foundation of an SEO-optimized Web site. Use tools such as the Web Developer Toolbar to check document layout and make improvements.
Use Google Lighthouse for In-Depth Analysis
Google Lighthouse provides valuable insights into performance, accessibility and SEO. Key areas of focus include:
- Performance: Minimize load times and optimize caching.
- SEO: Check the presence of meta descriptions, title tags, and correct canonical tags.
- Accessibility: Provide good contrast, correct labels and clear navigation.
Optimize For Google SERP
Use Google itself as an SEO tool by performing advanced searches such as “site:yourwebsite.co.uk”. Check that pages are indexed correctly and optimize titles and meta descriptions for better results.
Robots.txt and XML sitemap
Make sure your robots.txt file is set up correctly and that unnecessary pages are excluded from indexing. Generate a custom XML sitemap with a tool such as Screaming Frog and upload it to Google Search Console.
Security and Hosting
Check the server configuration and make sure it is up-to-date. Outdated PHP and Apache versions pose a security risk. Use tools such as IP Information to view your server’s location and hosting details.
Conclusion
A thorough website analysis gives you the insights you need to improve your online performance and optimize your SEO. Need help? Contact OnlineLabs and we will be happy to help you.
