Fixing Crawl Errors to Improve Your Website’s SEO
Have you ever noticed that nagging feeling when you check your website’s analytics, only to find that your organic traffic has taken a nosedive? If so, you’re not alone. Many website owners struggle with the dreaded issue of crawl errors, which can be a significant roadblock to achieving optimal search engine optimization (SEO).
As the proud owner of an SEO agency in Manchester, UK, I’ve helped countless clients overcome these challenges and boost their online visibility. Today, I’m here to share my expertise and guide you through the process of fixing crawl errors to improve your website’s SEO.
Understanding Crawl Errors
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what crawl errors are and why they matter. Crawl errors occur when a search engine, like Google, tries to access a page on your website but fails. This could be due to a broken link, a page that’s no longer available, or a technical issue on your website.
These errors can have a significant impact on your SEO, as they can prevent search engines from properly indexing your content and understanding the structure of your website. This, in turn, can lead to a drop in your search engine rankings, making it harder for potential customers to find you online.
Identifying Crawl Errors
The first step in fixing crawl errors is to identify them. Fortunately, there are a number of tools available to help you do this, such as Google Search Console, Ahrefs, and Semrush. These tools can provide you with detailed reports on the crawl errors affecting your website, allowing you to prioritize and address the most pressing issues.
For example, one Shopify merchant recommended Semrush, Screamingfrog, and Ahrefs as top SEO tools for their hair care brand targeting the U.S. audience. These tools can help you identify new headline opportunities, track your and your competitors’ SEO rates, and much more.
Fixing Crawl Errors
Once you’ve identified the crawl errors affecting your website, it’s time to start fixing them. Here are some common crawl errors and how to address them:
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Broken Links: Broken links are one of the most common crawl errors, and they can be easily fixed by either updating the link or removing it entirely.
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404 Not Found Errors: These errors occur when a page on your website is no longer available. If the page is gone for good, you can serve a 410 page. If you have similar content on another page, use a 301 redirect instead.
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Submitted URL Seems to Be a Soft 404: This error occurs when Google detects inconsistent behavior, such as when a page is submitted for indexing but something is telling Google not to index it. This could be due to a robots.txt file or a meta tag on the page.
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DNS Errors or Server Errors: These errors are typically caused by issues with your website’s hosting or domain. You’ll need to work with your hosting provider to resolve these problems.
Yoast’s guide on crawl errors provides a comprehensive overview of the different types of crawl errors and how to address them.
Optimizing Your Website for Improved Crawlability
In addition to fixing existing crawl errors, it’s also important to optimize your website for improved crawlability. This includes:
- Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly
- Keeping your sitemap up-to-date
- Monitoring your internal linking structure
- Optimizing your content for search engines
By taking a proactive approach to your website’s crawlability, you can ensure that search engines can easily navigate and index your content, ultimately driving more organic traffic to your site.
Conclusion
Fixing crawl errors is a critical component of any effective SEO strategy. By identifying and addressing these issues, you can improve your website’s search engine visibility, drive more traffic to your site, and ultimately, boost your business’s online success.
If you’re ready to take your SEO game to the next level, I encourage you to explore the wealth of resources available online, such as the ones mentioned in this article. And if you ever need personalized guidance or support, feel free to reach out to our team at MCR SEO in Manchester, UK. We’re here to help you achieve your digital marketing goals and take your business to new heights.