SEO Optimization of Our Websites: Essentials and Advanced Improvements

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an extremely vast field because Google takes hundreds of factors into account to determine a page’s ranking in its results.

That’s why when you’re looking for a web agency to develop your website, ask them what initial SEO optimizations are included. Visually, two sites may look identical, but the effort put in by developers to boost your Google rankings is not the same! And yet, if you want an online presence, it’s to be seen!

At Knok-Studios, we ensure that every site is optimized from the start, following SEO best practices to provide a smooth user experience while facilitating indexing by search engines.

Here are the main aspects we systematically integrate when developing your web projects, followed by a presentation of advanced technical optimizations that take your SEO performance to the next level.

 

Essential optimizations we include when creating your site

1. UX/UI (Sizing, Favicon, etc.)

More and more, Google values many criteria related to website design, sometimes even before optimizing your keywords or the links pointing to your site. We see the rise of SXO, a blend of SEO and UX!

We can’t stress this enough at Knok-Studios: Thoughtful design is the NUMBER ONE factor for your site’s success!

This is why user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are always at the heart of our priorities.

Good UX/UI design means that your visitors:

  • Won’t instantly leave your site because they are put off. By spending more time on your site, Google understands that your site appeals to your audience and will therefore favor it.
  • Will easily read the content and complete their actions smoothly. Text that’s too small or buttons that are hard to click will be penalized by Google.
  • Will have a high-quality browsing experience on all screen types. Since mobile phones have overtaken computers in terms of visits, it goes without saying that Google heavily favors websites with high-quality small and large screen versions. A non-optimized mobile site today has virtually no chance of being visible on search engines.

Here are the graphic elements we pay particular attention to during the development of your site to give it the best chances:

  • Favicon: The favicon is the small icon that appears next to your site title in browser tabs, in favorites, and even on mobile screen shortcuts. Though it may seem minor, it plays an important role in your site’s recognition and visual identity by users and Google.
  • Font and button sizes: Readability is crucial for user experience. Fonts that are too small or overly stylized can discourage reading, while buttons that are too small or poorly placed can make interaction frustrating. We ensure that font sizes are optimal for comfortable reading, whether on mobile, tablet, or computer. Similarly, we make sure the buttons are large enough and well-spaced for easy clicking, especially on touch screens. Google penalizes sites that don’t offer this accessibility because it hinders the user experience.
  • Responsiveness: A non-responsive design risks frustrating users who need to zoom or scroll excessively to access content. We design our sites to be perfectly functional and aesthetically pleasing on all screen sizes, ensuring that images, text, and buttons automatically adjust to provide intuitive navigation.

 

2. H1, H2 Tagging

H1, H2 tagging, and beyond, is one of the foundations of technical SEO and plays a key role in indexing content by search engines.

We implement a cascading tagging structure, starting from the main title (H1) to subtitles of different levels (H2, H3, H4, etc.). This hierarchy allows Google to easily understand the logic and organization of your content.

  • H1: This is the main title of the page, the central topic. There should be only one H1 per page, as it represents the main idea of that page.
  • H2: These subtitles are used to divide the main sections of the page. They help organize information into logical blocks.
  • H3 to H6: Used for more specific subsections, these tags descend in the content hierarchy to detail and structure information more granularly.

This cascading structure offers a dual benefit: it makes reading and navigation easier for your visitors while helping Google better understand the content and intent of each section of your page. Well-structured content is better indexed because it allows Google to quickly identify key topics and match them with users’ queries.

Often, when designers integrate your content into a webpage, they use H1, H2, H3 tags solely for their aesthetic value, for example, changing the size or style of the font for purely visual reasons.

This approach is a technical mistake that can have negative impacts on SEO. Using an H1 or H2 tag only for text size, without considering the logical structure of the information, disrupts Google’s understanding of the page. This can hurt indexing and weaken your site’s chances of appearing in search results.

 

3. Image Optimization (Sizing, Format)

At Knok-Studios, we place great importance on image optimization because site loading speed is one of the most important criteria for Google’s ranking. A fast site improves not only the user experience but also its chances of ranking well in search results. Images, if poorly optimized, can significantly impact loading times.

There are many image formats (JPEG, PNG, WebP, SVG, etc.), each with specific uses. For example, JPEG is perfect for photos because it allows good compression without losing much quality, while PNG is better for images that require transparency. We always choose the most suitable image format for each use because using an inappropriate format can unnecessarily increase file size and slow down your site.

It is common for web designers to prioritize very high-quality images, often very heavy, because they focus on aesthetics. While visual quality is important, this should never be at the expense of loading speed.

Uncompressed or oversized images slow down the site, which can negatively affect its SEO ranking and user experience.

 

4. Optimized URLs

At Knok-Studios, we ensure that every URL is carefully optimized because a well-structured URL is an essential SEO element. It helps search engines better understand the page’s content while offering more intuitive navigation for users. Here are the criteria we pay attention to:

  • Ideal length: A URL should be short and concise, ideally between 50 and 60 characters. URLs that are too long risk being truncated in search results and may be perceived as less clear by Google.
  • Word order: It’s important to place the most relevant keywords at the beginning of the URL. Google gives more weight to the first words in the URL, so a logical structure that aligns with the main topic of the page is essential.
  • Descriptiveness and readability: We ensure that URLs are easily understandable by both search engines and users. They should accurately describe the page content using relevant keywords, without unnecessary special characters or numbers.

 

5. SSL Certificate

A secure site is now an essential criterion for Google, and the absence of an SSL certificate can severely harm your rankings.

A site without an SSL certificate not only displays a security alert in browsers, which can deter visitors, but also receives a significant penalty in Google rankings, making it virtually impossible to be indexed. These warnings can lead to a drastic drop in user trust and conversion rates, making SSL absolutely essential.

At Knok-Studios, we systematically install an SSL certificate (https) on all sites we create, free of charge (beware of agencies that charge you for this service on a new site or charge exorbitant amounts).

 

Advanced technical improvements to boost your SEO

Once your site’s SEO basics are established, Knok-Studios offers additional services that allow you to go further with advanced technical and “on-page” optimizations to maximize performance and rankings.

Here are some of the solutions we offer to propel your website even higher in search results.

 

1. Cache Configuration

Caching is an essential technique for speeding up page load times by temporarily storing data. It allows returning users to access content more quickly without having to reload all resources with each visit. At Knok-Studios, we configure both server-side and site-side caching to maximize your site’s performance.

  • Server-side cache: This type of cache stores data directly on the server, reducing the load and speeding up future requests. It allows pages to be delivered faster to users by optimizing data processing.
  • Site-side cache: Here, static elements (like images, CSS, and JavaScript) are stored in the user’s browser, avoiding the need to reload them on each visit. This significantly improves the browsing experience, especially for returning visitors.

By combining these two types of caching, we significantly reduce loading times, a crucial factor not only for user experience but also for SEO. A faster site ranks better on Google and has a better chance of retaining its visitors.

 

2. Image Compression to Next-Gen Formats

compressX-optimisation-images

 

Next-generation image formats like WebP, SVG, and AVIF allow much more efficient compression than traditional formats while maintaining high visual quality. At Knok-Studios, we use these formats to reduce image size and optimize the loading speed of your site, a crucial factor for SEO.

  • WebP: This format, developed by Google, reduces image sizes by 25% to 34% compared to JPEG and PNG, while maintaining good visual quality. It’s ideal for photos and complex images.
  • SVG: This format is particularly suited for vector graphics (logos, icons). It provides flawless image quality at any size, without loss of resolution, while being extremely lightweight.
  • AVIF: Even newer, AVIF offers even more advanced compression than WebP, with even lighter files for comparable or superior visual quality. It’s perfect for images rich in detail.

By using these next-gen formats, we ensure not only high-quality images but also faster page loading, which is essential for improving user experience and boosting your site’s SEO ranking.

 

3. Database Optimization

A cluttered or poorly optimized database can significantly slow down a website, especially for older sites that accumulate unnecessary data over time.

At Knok-Studios, we perform regular database cleaning and optimization to remove superfluous elements such as old page revisions, unwanted comments, or expired transients.

For older sites, a non-optimized database can lead to frequent errors, slow queries, or even server connection issues. These problems can not only affect your site’s speed but also cause 500 errors or high response times, which directly harms SEO.

By optimizing tables, removing obsolete data, and restructuring the database to make it more efficient, we significantly improve server response times. This results in a faster site, better stability, and increased overall performance, thereby enhancing user experience and search engine ranking.

 

4. Plugin Optimization

On WordPress sites, excessive or poorly managed plugin usage can significantly slow down site performance. At Knok-Studios, we regularly analyze installed plugins, remove those that are no longer needed, and ensure that essential plugins are always up-to-date and properly configured.

On the simpler sites we develop on Framer or Webflow, this issue does not arise, as these platforms do not use external plugins that could affect performance.

However, on complex WordPress sites, it is common to see a large number of plugins added over time by different developers. Often, these plugins are not optimally configured, or are redundant or unnecessary, which can severely impact the site’s speed and stability.

Poor plugin management can lead to conflicts, errors, and server resource overload. That’s why we perform a careful optimization to disable or remove non-essential modules and configure the remaining plugins to ensure minimal performance impact. This ensures your WordPress site is fast, secure, and well-ranked by search engines.

 

5. SEO Plugin Configuration

On WordPress sites, we leverage powerful SEO plugins such as Rank Math and Yoast SEO to further optimize your online presence. These tools offer a variety of features that make it easier to optimize your site and improve its visibility in search engines, including:

  • External links opening in a new window: This option keeps users on your site while allowing them to explore external resources, which can reduce bounce rates and increase time spent on your site.
  • Default sharing image: These plugins allow you to specify a default sharing image that will appear when your pages are shared on social media. This ensures your content is presented attractively, which can improve click-through rates on social platforms.
  • XML Sitemaps: They automatically generate XML sitemaps that facilitate Google’s indexing of your site, ensuring that all your pages are easily accessible.

These tools play an essential role in implementing best practices and contribute to strengthening your site’s visibility in search results. At Knok-Studios, we are committed to fully utilizing these resources to maximize your WordPress site’s potential.

 

6. CSS, HTML, and JavaScript Code Optimization

Non-optimized CSS, HTML, and JavaScript files can significantly slow down page loading, which negatively impacts user experience and SEO performance. At Knok-Studios, we conduct a thorough analysis of these files to eliminate unnecessary code, minimize their size, and ensure fast execution.

On WordPress sites, several plugins facilitate this optimization. Tools like Autoptimize and WP Rocket are particularly effective for:

  • Minifying code: This reduces file sizes by removing unnecessary spaces, comments, and other non-essential elements, thus decreasing load times.
  • Combining files: By merging multiple CSS or JavaScript files into one, we reduce the number of HTTP requests required during page loading.
  • Deferring loading: Some plugins allow JavaScript to load after the page is rendered, speeding up the initial display for users.

By optimizing these files, we ensure faster loading times, which improves both user experience and your site’s SEO performance.

 

7. Connecting to Google Tools (Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google Tags) and Sitemap Submission


ga gsc 1

 

To develop and optimize an effective SEO strategy, it is essential to connect your site to key Google tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and even Google Tags. These tools provide valuable insights into user behavior, site traffic, and the indexing status of pages.

  • Google Analytics allows the client to track site visits, analyze user behavior, and gain detailed insights into the top-performing pages. This helps make informed decisions about future content and optimizations.
  • Google Search Console is crucial for understanding how Google indexes your site. It provides information on crawl errors, keyword performance, and inbound links, helping you identify improvement opportunities.
  • Google Tags allows for easy management of tags and marketing scripts, facilitating data collection for deeper analysis.

By also submitting the sitemap to Google, we facilitate the quick and efficient indexing of all your site’s pages. This sends a positive signal to Google, indicating that your site is well-structured and ready to be crawled.

 

8. Adding Rich Snippets

Rich Snippet FAQ
FAQ Rich Snippet (Source: SEMRush)

Rich Snippets are enhanced snippets that appear in search results and provide additional information to users, thus increasing your site’s visibility.

By integrating these specific tags, we not only improve the appeal of your results in SERPs (search engine result pages), but we also increase click-through rates (CTR).

Examples of Rich Snippets:

  • Ratings and reviews: Rating stars that appear under a page title indicate the quality of a product or service. For example, a site selling books could display a 4.5-star rating, which draws more user attention.
  • Price and availability: For e-commerce sites, displaying the product price and availability status directly in search results allows users to make faster decisions. For example, a product priced at €29.99 with the mention “In stock” will encourage potential buyers to click.
Rich Snippet Product Rating
Product Rich Snippet (Source: SEMRush)
  • Events: For sites organizing events, special tags can display details like the date, time, and location directly in search results, making it easier for users to make decisions.
  • Recipes: For food blogs, Rich Snippets can include images, cooking times, ingredients, and ratings. This not only enhances the appearance of results but also attracts food enthusiasts.

By integrating these structured tags, we help Google better understand your page content, increasing the chances that your results stand out in SERPs. This leads to a higher click-through rate, bringing more visitors to your site, and consequently, an SEO boost.

At Knok-Studios, we pride ourselves on maximizing your content’s visibility by strategically implementing these Rich Snippets.

 

9. Writing Meta Titles and Meta Descriptions

Meta titles and meta descriptions are often the first elements users see in search results, and their impact on click-through rates (CTR) is significant.

At Knok-Studios, we craft engaging, optimized titles and descriptions, incorporating relevant keywords to encourage users to click on your pages.

Best Practices for Meta Titles and Meta Descriptions:

  • Length:
    • Meta Titles: Ideally, they should be between 50 and 60 characters to ensure they are not truncated in search results.
    • Meta Descriptions: They should be between 150 and 160 characters to convey a clear message without being cut off.
  • Keywords: Including relevant keywords in the meta title and description is crucial. This not only helps attract users’ attention but also informs search engines about the page’s topic. We make sure to include main keywords near the beginning of the title and description to maximize their impact.
  • Occurrences: Avoiding keyword stuffing is essential. We focus on the natural use of relevant keywords and phrases while keeping the text engaging and readable for users.
  • Call to Action: Including action verbs and click-worthy calls to action, like “Discover,” “Learn,” or “Download,” can increase the appeal of meta descriptions.
  • Uniqueness: Each page must have a unique meta title and description to avoid duplication and to better target users for each specific content.

By applying these best practices, we maximize your pages’ visibility and appeal in search results, contributing to a significant increase in traffic to your site.

Well-crafted meta titles and descriptions are key elements of any successful SEO strategy, and we are committed to delivering optimal results for every page on your site.

 

10. Eliminating 404 Errors

404 errors (page not found) can severely harm user experience and your SEO.

When a user encounters a broken link, it creates frustration which can lead to a high bounce rate and negatively impact your brand image. At Knok-Studios, we identify and correct these errors by implementing appropriate redirects to relevant pages, ensuring a smooth browsing experience for visitors.

We use 301 redirects, which signal to search engines that the page has been permanently moved. This allows us to preserve the authority of the old page while directing traffic to the new URL. This is particularly crucial during site migrations or changes to the URL structure, which are common situations leading to 404 errors.

Note that these 404 errors do not necessarily only concern your own site content, but it is important to verify that external content mentioned by your site has not disappeared either.

 

11. Server Configuration

Benchmark PHP 8.1 vs PHP 8.0Source: ServerDiary.com

Server configuration plays a crucial role in the overall performance of your website and, consequently, in your SEO.

A poorly configured server can lead to slow loading times, access errors, and a degraded user experience. At Knok-Studios, we ensure that your server is optimized to deliver maximum performance.

One of the main optimizations we perform is updating the PHP version.

Using a recent version of PHP is essential as newer versions bring significant improvements in terms of speed and security. For example, PHP 8.0 and later offer performance optimizations that allow pages to load faster.

In addition, newer versions of PHP also include bug fixes and security updates, contributing to the reliability of your site.

 


 

Optimize Your SEO with Knok-Studios

By applying these best practices from the very beginning of a website’s creation and continuing with advanced optimizations, Knok-Studios ensures that your web projects are well-positioned to perform on Google and offer an optimal user experience.

SEO is an ongoing process, and we are here to support you every step of the way!

Contact us today to improve your website’s SEO.

We offer web services of design, development and marketing, customized to your industry, your digital project and your budget.

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