The Complete Technical SEO Audit Checklist For SaaS: From Tech SEO Experts

Technical SEO is essential for the success of SaaS companies online. This guide, created with the help of Technical SEO experts, is specifically designed for conducting the audit of SaaS websites. Whether you’re an experienced SEO professional or a budding SaaS entrepreneur, this checklist offers strategies to strengthen your presence.

Technical SEO forms the foundation of SaaS visibility in a landscape encompassing crucial backend elements that impact search engine indexing and ranking. Each component affects how search engines evaluate your SaaS platform, from site speed to mobile-friendliness.

In the following sections, we will explore aspects of SEO by providing expert insights and best practices for conducting a comprehensive audit of your SaaS website. Equipped with this knowledge, you will have the tools to improve your platform’s visibility and enhance user experience, driving it towards success in the digital world.

Preparing for a Technical SEO Audit

Staying a solid foundation is crucial before diving into the nitty-gritty of a Technical SEO audit. This initial phase sets the stage for comprehensively examining your SaaS platform’s technical health.

One of the primary tools in any SEO arsenal is Google Search Console. This free service provided by Google offers invaluable insights into how your website performs in search results. Start by verifying ownership of your domain or website in GSC. This step is pivotal in accessing essential data, such as indexing status, organic search traffic, and mobile usability issues. It’s also where you’ll receive alerts about critical issues that may be affecting your site’s visibility.

And make sure you define the goals you aim to achieve through the technical SEO audit. Whether it’s improving organic traffic, increasing page load speed, or enhancing mobile-friendliness, having clear objectives will guide the entire auditing process. Additionally, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your SEO efforts.

Comprehensive Technical SEO Audit Checklist

Comprehensive Technical SEO Audit Checklist

Site Architecture and Structure:

• URL Structure: Make sure your web addresses are clear, snappy, and make sense.
• Internal Linking: Check if your site’s navigation is user-friendly and intuitive.
• XML Sitemap: Ensure there’s a clear map for search engines to explore your pages.
• Robots.txt File: Check if it’s there and if it’s guiding the bots in the right direction.
• Breadcrumb Navigation: Let’s make it easy for users to find their way around.

Indexability and Crawlability:

• Meta Tags: Check if you’ve told search engines which pages to index and which to steer clear of.
• Canonical Tags: Confirm that you’ve marked the preferred versions of pages with similar content.
• Pagination Elements: Help search engines navigate through paginated content smoothly.
• 404 Errors and Redirects: Fix any broken links and make sure redirects are on point.

Redirect Chains:

• 301 Redirects: Ensure that all necessary redirects are in place for a seamless user experience.
• Redirect Loops: Check for any loops in your redirect paths – we want a clear path, not a merry-go-round.
• Redirect Chains vs. Direct Redirects: Let’s analyze if a direct route might be more efficient than a chain of redirects.
• Non-Canonical Redirects: Verify that canonical pages aren’t leading to non-canonical versions, it can confuse search engines.

Site Speed and Performance:

• Page Load Times: Faster pages mean happier users. Let’s optimize for speed.
• Minimize HTTP Requests: Combining files and trimming down images can make a big difference.
• Optimize Images and Media: Compress those images to keep things moving swiftly.
• Browser Caching: Store resources locally to reduce unnecessary downloads.

Mobile-Friendliness and Responsiveness:

• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure your website looks and works great on all screen sizes.
• Mobile Page Speed: With more users on mobile, speed matters.
• Touchscreen Readiness: Let’s make sure everything is easy to navigate with a tap or swipe.
• Viewport Configuration: Help browsers render your content properly on different devices.

On-Page SEO Elements (Meta Tags, Headers, etc.):

• Title Tags: Craft clear, catchy titles that include relevant keywords.
• Meta Descriptions: Write compelling summaries that entice clicks and give a sneak peek of what’s inside.
• Header Tags: Organize content with headers for a clear structure.
• Keyword Usage: Naturally include relevant keywords throughout your content.

404 Pages and Broken Internal Links:

• Identify and rectify any 404 errors encountered by search engine crawlers.
• Check for and fix broken internal links to maintain a smooth user experience and prevent negative impacts on SEO.

Internal Linking:

• Verify that your internal linking structure is intuitive and aids in navigation.
• Ensure that important pages receive sufficient internal links for search engines to understand their importance.

XML Sitemaps:

• Confirm the presence of an XML sitemap and ensure it accurately lists all relevant pages on your site.
• Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console for indexing.

Structured Data – Schema Markup:

Implement structured data using Schema markup to provide additional context to search engines about the content on your site.

Robots.txt and Meta Robots Tags:

• Check for the presence of a properly configured robots.txt file.
• Review and optimize meta robots tags on critical pages to control search engine crawlers’ behavior.

HTTPS and Security:

Ensure your site is secure by using HTTPS. This is crucial for user trust and is also a ranking factor in search engines. With HTTPS, visitors can browse your site with confidence, knowing their data is encrypted and secure. This added layer of protection not only safeguards their information but also boosts your site’s credibility in the eyes of both users and search engines.

Image Optimization:

Compress images and use the appropriate file formats to ensure they do not slow down page loading times. This not only enhances user experience but also contributes to better search engine rankings. You can use tools like TinyPNG to reduce size of your images for faster webspeed.

Orphan Pages:

Identify and link orphan pages (pages without internal links) to ensure they are accessible to users and search engines. This simple step can significantly improve the discoverability and visibility of valuable content on your website.

URL Structure and Optimization:

Clear, descriptive, and logically structured URLs are vital for user-friendly navigation and effective search engine optimization. They provide immediate insights into a page’s content, making it easier for both users and search engines to understand its relevance. 

Canonicalization:

Ensuring correct implementation of canonical tags on pages with similar or duplicate content is essential for effective SEO. These tags provide clear directives to search engines, indicating the primary source of information. By doing so, they consolidate ranking signals and prevent potential SEO dilution. This practice benefits both search engines and users, ensuring they are directed to the most relevant page. 

Pagination:

Use rel=”next” and rel=”prev” tags to signal paginated content to search engines. This helps search engines understand the relationship between pages and ensures proper indexing and ranking of paginated content.

OG tags and Twitter Cards:

Implement Open Graph (OG) tags and Twitter cards to control how your content appears when shared on social media platforms. This customization enhances the visual appeal and information displayed, increasing the likelihood of engagement when shared on social media.

Subdomains:

Evaluate the use of subdomains and ensure they are appropriately structured and optimized for SEO. Properly configured subdomains can provide valuable organizational benefits, but it’s crucial to ensure they align with your overall SEO strategy.

Homepage Redirects (Duplicates):

Check for any duplicate content issues with the homepage and implement proper redirects if necessary. Resolving duplicate content on the homepage ensures that search engines accurately index and rank your website’s primary entry point, preventing any potential SEO issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve walked through a comprehensive checklist tailored for SaaS websites, addressing crucial aspects like URL optimization, meta tags, and pagination. These steps collectively form the backbone of a high-performing platform.

By meticulously addressing these elements in your Technical SEO audit, you’ll fortify the performance and visibility of your SaaS website. These checks contribute to a seamless user experience and enhance your platform’s appeal to both visitors and search engines alike.

Now, it’s your turn! Take charge of your website’s SEO health by using this checklist as your roadmap. And if you’d like expert guidance, we’re here to assist. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the world of technical SEO, this audit is a vital step toward maximizing your SaaS website’s potential.