When it comes to SEO, the strategies you apply to a custom-coded website are different from using a content management system like WordPress.
Custom-coded sites offer more flexibility but also require more effort to rank well on search engines like Google.
If you’re a beginner in both programming and SEO, this guide will help you understand the basics of improving your website’s visibility.
Why You Should do SEO for Custom-Coded Websites
Search engines drive a large portion of traffic to websites. In fact, studies show that over 53% of all trackable website traffic comes from organic search results. So, if your site isn't optimized, you’re missing out on potential visitors and, ultimately, customers.
For custom-coded websites, SEO might seem a bit complex at first, but it’s manageable once you break it down into simple steps.
Well-Structured HTML is Very Important
SEO begins with clean and well-structured HTML code. When search engines like Google crawl your site, they need to understand what your page is about. This is much easier when your HTML code is organized and easy to read.
Incorporate tags like <header>, <article>, and <section> to structure your content. These help search engines understand the hierarchy and context of the information on your site.
Use headings to divide your content logically. The <h1> tag should only be used for the main title, while <h2> and <h3> tags can be used for subheadings.
Meta Tags are Small Thing but Important
Meta tags are essential for both search engines and users. These include the title tag, meta description, and other attributes that help define the content of your pages.
This is the title that appears in search results. It’s one of the most important ranking factors and should be clear, concise, and include relevant keywords.
While it doesn't directly affect rankings, a well-written meta description improves click-through rates by giving users a summary of the page.
Must Optimize for Mobile Devices
Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites because more than half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your website isn't optimized for mobile, you’ll lose out on potential visitors and rank lower in search results.
Use CSS media queries to ensure your site adapts to different screen sizes, from smartphones to desktops.
Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool can help you check if your site is optimized for mobile users.
Speed is Very Important
Page speed is a significant factor for SEO. Google has made it clear that faster websites perform better in search results.
Users also tend to leave a site if it takes too long to load, increasing your bounce rate.
Compress your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to remove unnecessary characters, spaces, and comments. Tools like Minifier can help you with this.
Using a CDN ensures faster load times by distributing your site’s resources across multiple servers around the globe.
Create Quality Content
No matter how well you optimize your website’s structure and speed, content is king. Creating valuable, informative, and engaging content is key to improving your search rankings.
Instead of targeting short, competitive keywords like “SEO,” aim for more specific, user-focused keywords such as “boost SEO for custom websites.” These long-tail keywords have lower competition and a better chance of ranking.
Regularly updating your content helps signal to search engines that your website is fresh and relevant. Outdated content can hurt your rankings.
Alt Text for Images
Search engines cannot see
images, but they can read the alt text associated with them.
Make sure every image on your site includes descriptive alt text that explains what the image is about. This not only improves accessibility but also contributes to SEO.
Internal Linking for Better Navigation
Internal links help search engines and users navigate your site more easily. They distribute authority across different pages and help keep users engaged.
When linking to other pages within your site, make sure the clickable text is descriptive and relevant. For example, instead of using click here,
use something more meaningful like read our guide on mobile optimization.
Also Read:
SEO Basics Every Beginner Developer Should Know
Is React JS a Good Choice for SEO Optimization?
Use an XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap is essentially a roadmap for search engines, showing them all the important pages on your site.
It helps search engines crawl your site more efficiently, ensuring that all your content is indexed.
You can generate a sitemap using tools like Screaming Frog, by manually coding it or visit technicalseo.com. Once you’ve created it, must submit it to Google Search Console.
HTTPS for Security - Get an SSL Certificate
Google favors websites that use HTTPS over HTTP because it provides a more secure experience for users. Having an SSL certificate installed on your site is now considered a ranking factor, so make sure your site uses HTTPS.
Most web hosting providers offer SSL certificates, and they’re easy to set up. Switching to HTTPS not only helps with SEO but also builds trust with your visitors.
Use Google Analytics
Tracking your site’s performance is crucial for long-term SEO success.
Google Analytics is a free tool that lets you see which pages are performing well, where your traffic is coming from, and what keywords users are searching for.
Use Google Search Console
Google Search Console helps you monitor and maintain your website’s presence in search results. It can also alert you to any issues, such as crawl errors, that may be affecting your rankings.
SEO for custom-coded websites may seem like a complex task, but with these strategies, you can improve your search engine rankings step by step.
Also read: SEO Basics for Beginner Developers
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