9 WordPress Technical SEO Issues You Need to Fix For Better Rankings

WordPress is dominant in the CMS market with nearly 65% market share, making it the go-to platform for bloggers, small businesses, e-commerce sites, and even major news outlets. Its widespread appeal comes from its ease of use, customizable features, and vibrant community support. To maximize the benefits of WordPress and ensure optimal performance, following a technical SEO checklist is essential. This checklist helps address critical aspects of SEO, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and proper indexing, ensuring that your WordPress site ranks well and delivers a superior user experience.

What sets WordPress apart is its built-in SEO capabilities. Straight out of the box, it provides clean code, semantic markup, and an organized structure that search engines can effortlessly crawl, boosting your content’s chances of being indexed and ranked in SERPs. For those looking to enhance their SEO further, partnering with an experienced SEO agency in Chennai can provide additional expertise and tailored strategies to maximize your WordPress site’s performance and visibility.

However, even the best platforms have their limitations. As a site auditor specializing in WordPress, I’ve found that targeting key technical areas can quickly enhance SEO performance, drive traffic, and increase RPMs (revenue per thousand impressions). Focusing on these factors can unlock significant growth opportunities for any WordPress blog.

1. Set Up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for Your Website

Setting up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for your website is a game-changer in tracking and understanding your online audience. Begin by creating a new google analytics 4 property in your Google Analytics account, and then generate your unique measurement ID. Once you add the GA4 tracking code to your site, you’ll unlock powerful real-time insights into user behavior and interactions. With GA4’s advanced features, including seamless integration with Google Tag Manager, you can effortlessly manage and track additional events without the hassle of constant code adjustments. For those seeking expert assistance, exploring digital analytics and tracking services in Chennai can provide specialized support to optimize your GA4 setup and enhance your data-driven decision-making.

2. Fix Passing Core Web Vitals On WordPress

Improving Core Web Vitals on WordPress involves several key steps to enhance your site’s performance and user experience. Start by optimizing images and videos to reduce their size and load times. Use a caching plugin, like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache, to speed up your site’s loading speed. Implement lazy loading for images and videos to ensure that they load only when they come into the viewport. Minify and combine CSS and JavaScript files to decrease the number of HTTP requests and reduce file sizes. Additionally, consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to deliver content more quickly to users across different regions. Regularly check your site’s performance using tools like Google page speed insights or Lighthouse to track improvements and make necessary adjustments.

3. Remove Internal Permalink Redirects on WordPress

Internal permalink redirects can clutter your WordPress site and impact both user experience and SEO. To clean up and remove unnecessary internal redirects, 

• Identify Redirects: Use a tool like Screaming Frog SEO Spider or a WordPress plugin such as Redirection to identify internal permalink redirects on your site. These tools will help you pinpoint where redirects are happening and which ones are no longer needed.
• Access Your Redirect Plugin: If you’re using a plugin for managing redirects (e.g., Redirection or Yoast SEO), go to the plugin’s settings in your WordPress dashboard. Review the list of existing redirects.
• Remove Unnecessary Redirects: In your redirect management tool, locate the redirects that are obsolete or redundant. Delete or deactivate these redirects to clean up your permalink structure.
• Update Permalinks: If a redirect was set up due to a permalink change, ensure that the new permalink structure is properly updated in your posts or pages. Edit the post or page to correct any outdated permalinks.
• Clear Cache: After removing redirects, clear your site’s cache to ensure the changes take effect immediately. This step is crucial if you are using a caching plugin or CDN.
• Monitor for Issues: Keep an eye on your site’s performance and user experience after making these changes. Check for any broken links or errors that may have arisen from removing redirects.

4. Fixing Link Targets on WordPress

Ensuring that your link targets are properly set is crucial for maintaining a seamless user experience and optimizing SEO.

• Review Link Targets: Examine your website’s links to determine where they lead. Check if they open in the same tab or a new one, depending on their purpose. Internal links typically should open in the same tab, while external links might be set to open in a new tab.
• Edit Link Settings: On WordPress, if you encounter a situation where a WordPress link is not working, go to the post or page editor where the link is located. Select the link you want to edit, and then adjust the link settings. For internal links, ensure the target is set to open in the same tab. For external links, consider setting the link to open in a new tab to keep visitors on your site. This adjustment helps ensure that links function correctly and enhance the user experience on your WordPress site.
• Use HTML Attributes: For custom link management, you can directly edit the HTML of your content. Use the target=”_blank” attribute to open links in a new tab or window. Ensure that this is used sparingly to avoid annoying users with too many new tabs.
• Update Link Behavior: If you’re using a content management system or plugin that handles links, check its settings to ensure links behave as expected. Update configurations to fix any issues with how links are targeted.
• Test Links: After making changes, test your links to confirm they open in the intended manner. This helps avoid any user frustration from broken or incorrectly targeted links.
• Monitor User Experience: Continuously monitor how users interact with your links. Use analytics tools to track click behavior and make adjustments as needed to enhance user experience. A digital agency in Chennai can help optimize these strategies by leveraging the latest tools and insights to improve online performance.

5. Fixing Broken Links on Your WordPress Website

Broken links can negatively affect both user experience and search engine ranking. To restore your WordPress website’s broken links

• Identify Broken Links: Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider, Google Search Console, or WordPress plugins like Broken Link Checker to find broken links on your site.
• Update or Remove Links: For links pointing to outdated or incorrect pages, update them with the correct URLs. If the linked content no longer exists, consider removing the link or replacing it with relevant content.
• Redirect Broken Links: Set up 301 redirects to guide users and search engines from broken URLs to their intended destinations. Use a plugin like Redirection or manage redirects via your server’s. htaccess file.
• Fix Internal Links: Ensure that internal links point to existing pages within your website. Update or replace broken internal links to maintain site navigation and user experience.
• Check and Test: After making corrections, test your links to ensure they work properly. Use browser tools or online services to verify that no broken links remain.
• Monitor Frequently: As part of your regular site maintenance, check frequently for broken links. Set up automated checks to catch and address issues promptly.

6. Improving Internal Anchor Text for Better SEO and User Experience

Internal anchor text plays a crucial role in both SEO and user navigation. To enhance your internal linking strategy.

• Use Descriptive Text: Ensure that your anchor text is descriptive and clearly indicates the content of the linked page. Avoid generic terms like “click here” and instead use specific keywords related to the target page.
• Incorporate Relevant Keywords: Integrate relevant keywords naturally into your anchor text. This helps search engines understand the context of the linked content and can improve your site’s SEO.
• Maintain Natural Flow: Anchor text should fit naturally within the content. It should provide value and context to the reader, guiding them to additional relevant information without disrupting the flow of the text.
• Avoid Over-Optimization: While keywords are important, overloading anchor text with keywords can be detrimental. Aim for a balanced approach that emphasizes relevance over keyword density.
• Diversify Anchor Text: Use a variety of anchor texts to link to the same page. This diversity helps avoid the appearance of keyword stuffing and provides a more natural linking pattern.
• Ensure Relevance: Only link to pages that are directly related to the anchor text. Users may become confused by irrelevant links, which can also lessen the impact of your internal linking strategy.
• Check for Broken Links: Regularly review and update your internal links to ensure they are not broken. Use tools to identify and fix any dead links to maintain a smooth user experience.
• Monitor User Interaction: Analyze how users interact with your internal links. Adjust your anchor text strategy based on user behavior and engagement metrics to continually improve navigation and relevance.

7. Optimizing Sidebars for Enhanced User Experience and SEO

Sidebars are a valuable component of your website, offering opportunities to enhance user experience and boost SEO.

• Prioritize Relevant Content: Display widgets and links that are directly relevant to your site’s content and user interests. This could include recent posts, popular articles, or related content to keep users engaged.
• Incorporate Search Functionality: Add a search bar to your sidebar to help users easily find content on your site. Make sure it’s prominently placed and easy to use.
• Promote Key Actions: Use the sidebar to highlight important actions, such as newsletter sign-ups, social media links, or call-to-action buttons. Ensure these elements are eye-catching and compelling.
• Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your sidebar content is mobile-friendly. On smaller screens, sidebars often move to the bottom or become collapsible. Test and adjust to maintain usability and effectiveness on mobile devices.
• Improve Load Times: Keep the sidebar’s content lightweight to avoid slowing down page load times. Optimize images and minimize the use of heavy widgets or external scripts.
• Enhance SEO with Keywords: Include relevant keywords in sidebar widgets and links. This can help with on-page SEO by reinforcing the content theme and improving keyword relevance.
• Utilize Analytics: Use analytics tools to track sidebar performance. Monitor metrics like click-through rates and user interactions to understand what’s working and make data-driven improvements.
• Maintain Clean Design: Ensure the sidebar design is clean and uncluttered. Avoid overwhelming users with too many widgets or links. A well-organized sidebar enhances usability and aesthetics.

8. Reinforcing E-E-A-T in 2024

In 2024, reinforcing Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness is crucial for boosting your website’s credibility and SEO. Here’s how to enhance these elements:

• Showcase Expertise: Highlight the credentials and qualifications of your content creators. Publish high-quality, well-researched content that reflects deep knowledge in your field.
• Build Authoritativeness: Gain backlinks from reputable sites and collaborate with industry leaders. Maintain a strong online presence through thought leadership and expert commentary.
• Foster Trustworthiness: Ensure your website has clear contact information, privacy policies, and user reviews. Maintain transparency and address user concerns promptly.
• Update Content Regularly: Keep content current and relevant to reflect ongoing changes and trends. Regular updates demonstrate commitment to providing accurate information.
• Leverage User-Generated Content: Encourage and showcase authentic user reviews and testimonials. Positive feedback from real users enhances credibility and trust.

9. Addressing Accessibility Issues on Your Website

It is imperative for inclusion and compliance that your website be made accessible to all users, including those with impairments.

• Implement Alt Text for Images: Provide descriptive alt text for all images to help users with visual impairments understand the content.
• Verify Keyboard Navigation: Verify that a keyboard may be used to navigate across each interactive element. Test your site’s functionality to confirm that users can access all features without a mouse.
• Use Clear and Readable Fonts: Choose fonts that are easy to read and provide sufficient contrast between text and background. Ensure that font sizes are adjustable for better readability.
• Provide Text Alternatives for Multimedia: Offer transcripts for audio and video content, and provide captions for videos to accommodate users with hearing impairments.
• Design for Screen Readers: Use proper HTML markup and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles to ensure that screen readers can interpret your site’s content accurately.
• Maintain Color Contrast: Ensure there is adequate contrast between text and background colors to aid users with color blindness and low vision.
• Test with Accessibility Tools: Use accessibility evaluation tools like WAVE or Lighthouse to identify and fix issues. Regularly test your site to stay compliant with accessibility standards.
• Follow Web Accessibility Guidelines: Adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure your site meets industry standards for accessibility.

Technical SEO Path to Success for WordPress Users

Achieving technical SEO success with WordPress requires strategic optimization. Focus on site speed, mobile responsiveness, and clean code to boost performance and rankings. Regular updates, SEO plugins, and audits are essential. For advanced solutions, consider a search engine optimization service to elevate your efforts and ensure your site is search-engine ready.