How to Run a Site Crawl for Technical SEO Errors
Technical SEO errors can significantly impact the performance of a website and hinder its ability to rank well in search engine results.
To ensure that your website is optimized for search engines, it’s crucial to run regular site crawls to identify any technical issues that may be affecting your SEO efforts.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how you can run a site crawl for technical SEO errors and address them effectively.
What Is a Site Crawl?
A site crawl, also known as a website audit, is the process of scanning a website to identify any technical issues that may be affecting its search engine performance.
It involves using specialized tools or software to analyze the website’s structure, content, and code for errors and potential improvements.
Site crawls can help you identify issues that may be hindering your website’s ability to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Why Is It Important to Run a Site Crawl for Technical SEO Errors?
There are several reasons why it’s crucial to run a site crawl for technical SEO errors regularly:
- Identify and Fix Issues: Site crawls can help you identify any technical SEO issues that may be affecting your website’s performance. These issues can range from broken links and duplicate content to slow page load times and incorrect use of meta tags.
- Improve User Experience: Technical SEO errors can also impact the user experience on your website. By conducting site crawls, you can identify and fix any issues that may be frustrating or confusing for users, such as broken links or poor mobile responsiveness.
- Maintain Search Engine Visibility: Search engines continuously update their algorithms to provide the best results for their users. Conducting regular site crawls can help you stay up-to-date with these changes and ensure your website remains visible in search results.
What Are Common Technical SEO Errors to Look For?
Some of the most common technical SEO errors that you should look for during a site crawl include:
- Broken Links: Broken links, also known as dead links, can negatively impact your website’s user experience and search engine rankings. Use a site crawler to identify any broken links on your website and fix them promptly.
- Duplicate Content: Having duplicate content on your website can confuse search engines and result in lower rankings. Use a site crawler to identify any duplicate content and either remove it or add canonical tags to indicate the original source.
- Incorrect Use of Meta Tags: Meta tags play a crucial role in how search engines understand and display your web pages. Make sure that all your meta tags, including title tags and meta descriptions, are optimized for SEO.
- Slow Page Load Times: A slow website can lead to a poor user experience and lower search engine rankings. Use a site crawler to identify any factors that may be affecting your page load times, such as large image sizes or excessive use of JavaScript.
Steps to Run a Site Crawl for Technical SEO Errors
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to running a site crawl for technical SEO errors. However, here are some general steps you can follow:
1. Choose a Site Crawler
Tools are essential for conducting a site crawl, as they can analyze your website faster and more thoroughly than manual methods.
There are several site crawling tools available, such as Screaming Frog, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. Choose one that best suits your needs and budget.
If you choose to do a manual site crawl, you can use Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool to analyze individual pages on your website.
2. Input Your Website’s URL
Once you have selected a site crawler, input your website’s URL into the tool to begin the crawl.
You may also have the option to customize your crawl settings, such as setting maximum crawl depth or excluding specific pages from the scan.
Some tools may allow you to specify which pages or sections of your website you want to crawl, while others may automatically crawl your entire website.
3. Analyze the Results
After the crawl is complete, review the results to identify any technical SEO errors that may be affecting your website.
Most site crawling tools will provide a summary report of the issues found, as well as detailed information for each page scanned.
For example, Screaming Frog’s site crawler provides a detailed breakdown of various technical SEO issues, including missing meta descriptions, broken links, and blocked resources.
4. Address and Fix Errors
Depending on the severity and complexity of the issues found, you may be able to fix them yourself or seek assistance from a web developer or SEO specialist. Ilfusion offers full-service SEO solutions and can help you address any technical errors found during a site crawl.
Make sure to prioritize the errors that have the most significant impact on your website’s performance and user experience.
5. Re-Crawl Your Website
After addressing and fixing any technical SEO errors, it’s essential to re-crawl your website to ensure that they have been resolved successfully. To do this, follow the same steps outlined above with your chosen site crawling tool.
This step will also help you identify any additional issues that may have been missed during the initial crawl.
Summing It Up
Regularly conducting site crawls for technical SEO errors is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy and high-performing website. It can help you identify and fix issues that may be hindering your website’s visibility and user experience.
For more SEO tips, head on to our blog at https://ilfusion.com/blog.
