In this competitive world, it’s pretty hard to hit the target sales in the best possible manner within less time. And choosing an eCommerce platform to make the online business process smoother and cover a large audience is considered one of the most typical tasks. But when it comes to generating more visitors to the site, WordPress has already won the challenge.
However, there is a lot you can do to improve it, optimizing the website for SEO being the first and foremost thing to be kept in mind. So, in this blog, we will discuss 8 ways to optimize WordPress websites for SEO.
Here’re the 8 ways to optimize your site:
1. Choose the Preferred Domain
In most cases, websites configure the subdomain ‘www’ in DNS. But some websites don’t. For newbies or those who are not familiar with the website domain, it is a bit confusing. And these websites without ‘www’ domains are called “naked domains.”
Actually, these are two different versions of one website. But when these two are in operation at the same time, a search engine like Google cannot predict which is the main version of the website. In this way, the ranking of the website decreases.
However, webmasters can be a good tool to monitor your website and how it interacts with Google.
Also, in WordPress, 302 is the main redirection of the WordPress site. But basically, to make it ‘301’, developers need to redirect the 301 redirections by using the coding in the ‘.htaccess file’.
2. Proper Plugins Integration
When creating or migrating your website to WordPress, the integration of the SEO plugin should be done taking into account your needs, preferences, the nature of your website, etc. The reason is that the SEO plugin helps to improve the visibility and ranking of the website.
Besides, as we all know, WordPress is already an SEO-friendly platform. However, integrating an advanced plugin to generate traffic to the website is a must. And for that, WordPress Yoast SEO is a master in all aspects. It covers almost every function related to SEO.
Moreover, it helps you in writing content. When you publish a blog on the website, the search engine can find your content and display it in the SERPs easily.
It also gives you suggestions on when and how to improve your content in two categories: SEO and readability. If you improve these two areas, the probability that your content will be displayed in the SERPs increases by 50%.
So, keep in mind that if the SEO plugin is done effectively, you can see an increase in the website ranking even within three months.
3. Use SSL Certificates
The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is, in fact, an encryption method. It serves the purpose of upholding security, making it easier for others to assess whether security measures are being utilized. You may wonder, how does it function?
In reality, it acts as a website protocol, distinguishing its security level. A secure website is denoted by ‘https://www.example.com‘, whereas an unsecured one is represented as ‘http://www.example.com‘. Here, the inclusion of ‘s’ signifies its secure nature and helps to establish trust.
Ultimately, prioritizing security should always be paramount. Particularly for WordPress users, settling for anything less than SSL certificates is not advisable. By procuring them from a reputable third-party or hosting company, you can ensure a secure online environment, fostering trust and nurturing relationships with your audience.
4. XML Sitemap
We all possess an understanding of the sitemap, a hierarchical representation of a website that includes all its pages. Here is where XML enters the discussion. XML actively aids search engines in locating the precise page that the audience is in search of.
Through the implementation of XML, every individual page of your website will be showcased on search engines, thereby boosting the ranking of your website.
Furthermore, as we have previously delved into the Yoast SEO plugin, it can emerge as a reliable companion when considering the XML sitemap of your website.
5. Implement Authorship
This approach stands as the most effective means to enhance the click-through rates of your website. By incorporating authorship of your website, the content will be presented in a superior and refined manner.
Incorporating Google authorship, in particular, elevates the SEO of your website. By correctly implementing authorship, Google will proceed to exhibit the content along with an attached image. This empowers visitors to make an informed choice by clicking on your site, facilitating the discovery of the optimal solution for their needs.
6. Optimize the URL / Permalinks
URLs assume a vital role in establishing the authority of your organization. It is essential to optimize them properly. URLs should steer clear of any misleading characters, PHP elements, or percentage symbols. A prime example would be www.xyz.com/10%.php.
Furthermore, integrating the main keyword into the URL streamlines accessibility for the audience, enabling them to effortlessly reach your site and find the desired solutions. Configuring permalinks in WordPress requires a mere few clicks. Simply navigate to the settings menu, select permalinks, and subsequently choose the structure that aligns with your specific requirements.
7. Use a CDN
One of the most pivotal elements in ensuring swift loading times and optimum responsiveness for your website is a Content Delivery Network (CDN). By hosting and delivering duplicates of your website’s static and dynamic content—such as images, video streams, CSS, and JavaScript—CDNs facilitate the seamless conveyance of data to end users.
This expedited data delivery eliminates interruptions, culminating in enhanced uptime, statistical analytics, and an elevated user experience. Ultimately, this heightened functionality serves to increase revenue.
Nevertheless, it is worth noting that even if a website lacks content density or encompasses limited data, search engines such as Google can still tarnish its SEO standing. To effectively combat this predicament, a CDN such as Cloudflare can be integrated into your WordPress website by reaping the benefits of WordPress integration services. Rest assured, this decision will indubitably set your website apart from the masses.
8. Schema
If you desire to elevate the robustness and agility of your website, incorporating schema can be an excellent choice. By employing schema, you can enable your website to comprehend various criteria, thereby assisting esteemed search engines like Google in delivering optimal solutions to your audience.
To gain a better comprehension of this matter, envision a scenario where an individual enters a specific keyword. Through the use of schema markup, the search engine is promptly informed about the true essence of the keyword, resulting in precise and accurate search results.
Conclusion
While we are cognizant of the exceptional performance offered by WordPress, solely relying on it for optimizing your website’s overall performance may not be feasible. Thus, this blog serves to address the challenges one must overcome in order to optimize their website for SEO. Following the above-mentioned tricks help you to overcome website optimization-related issues and drive conversion.
