Common Technical SEO Issues and How to Fix Them
In today’s digital world, simply creating a website is not enough. If you want your website to rank higher on Google and drive consistent traffic, Technical SEO plays a crucial role. Without proper technical optimization, even the best content may stay hidden from search engines and potential customers.
But don’t worry! In this blog, we will explore some of the most common Technical SEO issues and, more importantly, how to fix them. So, let’s dive right in!
1. Slow Website Speed
First and foremost, one of the most significant issues that can harm your SEO is a slow-loading website. Not only does this frustrate users, but Google also considers page speed as a ranking factor.
How to Fix It:
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Optimize images by compressing them without losing quality.
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Use modern image formats like WebP.
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Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files.
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Enable browser caching.
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Consider using a reliable Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Additionally, regularly test your website speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.
2. Broken Links and 404 Errors
Another common technical SEO problem is broken links that lead to 404 error pages. These not only hurt user experience but also send negative signals to search engines.
How to Fix It:
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Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider or Ahrefs to find broken links.
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Redirect broken links to relevant pages using 301 redirects.
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Regularly audit your website to stay on top of any new broken links.
Moreover, ensure your internal linking structure remains clean and organized.
3. Poor Mobile Optimization
In the era of smartphones, a website that isn’t mobile-friendly is guaranteed to struggle in search rankings. Google follows Mobile-First Indexing, which means your mobile version is the primary version for ranking purposes.
How to Fix It:
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Choose a responsive web design that adapts to all devices.
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Test your website with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
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Improve mobile page speed.
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Ensure buttons, text, and menus are easy to use on smaller screens.
As a result, your users will enjoy a seamless experience across all devices.
4. Duplicate Content
Duplicate content can confuse search engines, dilute your rankings, and harm your website’s credibility.
How to Fix It:
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Use tools like Siteliner or Copyscape to detect duplicate content.
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Implement canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page.
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Consolidate similar content into one high-quality, valuable page.
In other words, focus on creating unique, original content that provides real value to your visitors.
5. Missing XML Sitemap or Robots.txt Errors
Your XML sitemap helps search engines crawl and index your website effectively. Similarly, a faulty robots.txt file can accidentally block important pages from being crawled.
How to Fix It:
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Create and submit an updated XML sitemap via Google Search Console.
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Ensure your robots.txt file doesn’t block essential pages.
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Regularly review these files to avoid unintentional restrictions.
This simple step significantly improves your site’s crawlability.
6. Improper Use of Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data helps search engines understand your content better and can even enhance your visibility with rich snippets.
How to Fix It:
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Use Schema.org markup for reviews, articles, products, FAQs, and more.
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Test your structured data with Google’s Rich Results Test.
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Correct any errors or warnings detected in Search Console.
The better search engines understand your content, the higher your chances of appearing in rich search results.
7. Non-Secure Website (HTTP instead of HTTPS)
Security is a top priority for both users and search engines. A website without HTTPS not only loses user trust but can also suffer in search rankings.
How to Fix It:
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Install an SSL certificate on your website.
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Update all internal links to use https://.
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Redirect all http:// versions to the secure https:// version.
Consequently, your website will be safer and more SEO-friendly.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, Technical SEO is the backbone of your website’s search performance. From fixing broken links to improving site speed and enhancing mobile compatibility, every small improvement can make a big difference.
The good news is — these issues are fixable. With regular audits, proper tools, and consistent efforts, your website can climb the search engine rankings and deliver a smooth experience to your visitors.
Need expert help? At Opticode System, we provide complete Technical SEO solutions to keep your website running at its best.
