Technical SEO for WordPress: Essential Fixes for Better Crawlability

May 20, 2025

Technical SEO for WordPress: Essential Fixes for Better Crawlability

If you have a WordPress site and want people to find it on Google, you need to fix the parts that make it hard for search engines to read. That’s what technical SEO does. It checks the background parts of your website to make sure everything works the way it should.

Sometimes, pages are slow, links don’t work, or the site looks bad on a phone. Other times, Google can’t find certain pages at all. These issues block your site from showing up when people in Raleigh search for your services. That’s where Technical SEO Services in Raleigh come in.

Start with the basics. Use simple links. Keep your pages loading fast. Make sure your site works on phones and uses HTTPS. A sitemap helps Google find your pages more easily. Also, avoid having the same content in different places.

If your website has problems like these, fixing them helps your site show up more often in search results. Many business owners use Technical SEO Services Raleigh NC or search for Technical SEO Raleigh NC to get expert help. Fixing crawl issues isn’t just for big companies—it’s one of the smartest moves any Raleigh business can make.

Why Technical SEO Matters for WordPress Sites in Raleigh

WordPress powers millions of websites. It’s flexible and user-friendly, which makes it a go-to platform for small businesses and growing companies in Raleigh. But no matter how good your content is or how modern your design looks, it won’t rank without solid technical SEO.

For Raleigh business owners, technical SEO isn’t optional. If search engines can’t access and index your pages, your website won’t show up in local search results. That’s where Technical SEO Services in Raleigh help. A well-optimized site means better visibility, more traffic, and more calls or leads coming from people in your area.

What Crawlability Means and Why It’s So Important

Crawlability refers to how easily Google and other search engines can read your website. If your content can’t be crawled, it can’t be indexed—and if it’s not indexed, it won’t appear in search results.

WordPress websites, especially ones with lots of plugins or custom themes, often have crawl issues. Raleigh businesses that rely on their sites to bring in local customers need to make sure these technical problems don’t block traffic or rankings.

How WordPress Affects Technical SEO

WordPress has a solid framework, but it’s not perfect. The way it’s set up can lead to a few problems:

  • Too many plugins creating extra code
  • Themes adding unnecessary scripts or styles
  • Duplicate content from tags, categories, and archives
  • Broken internal links from plugin changes

All of these can make it harder for search engines to understand your website. If you’re running a business in Raleigh, a misconfigured WordPress site could be hurting your SEO without you even knowing. That’s why working with pros who offer Technical SEO Services Raleigh NC can make a difference.

Fix #1: Set Up Your Robots.txt File the Right Way

The robots.txt file tells search engines what they can and can’t access. A simple mistake here can hide your entire site from Google.

Here’s what to check:

  • Don’t block important content like service or blog pages
  • Only restrict private areas like the admin panel
  • Use Google Search Console’s robots.txt Tester to verify it

If you’re unsure what yours looks like, or if it’s even working, consider contacting a company that offers Technical SEO in Raleigh NC to check it for you.

Fix #2: Use an XML Sitemap to Help Search Engines Find Your Content

Your sitemap acts like a list of all the pages you want search engines to visit. Without it, important content could get skipped.

WordPress plugins like Yoast or Rank Math can create this file automatically. Once created, submit it to Google Search Console.

Make sure it includes:

  • Your main pages and blog posts
  • Custom post types like portfolios or products
  • Updated content

Businesses using Technical SEO Services in Raleigh typically include sitemap updates as part of ongoing SEO efforts.

Fix #3: Clean Up Your URLs

Default WordPress URLs are messy. You’ve probably seen URLs like this:
yourwebsite.com/?p=123
That tells search engines nothing about the page and looks unprofessional to users.

Here’s how to clean them up:

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks in your dashboard
  • Choose “Post name” or create a structure like /services/page-title/

Keep URLs short, descriptive, and consistent. If you’ve changed any page URLs before, make sure 301 redirects are in place so you don’t lose rankings.

Raleigh business sites often lose traffic from broken or outdated links. Fixing this is a simple but essential part of Technical SEO Near Me Raleigh NC.

Fix #4: Monitor Crawl Errors in Google Search Console

Crawl errors stop search engines from reaching your content. Common issues include:

  • 404 “Not Found” errors
  • Soft 404s (pages that show content but return the wrong status code)
  • Server errors
  • Redirect loops

In Google Search Console, check the Coverage report regularly. Find pages that aren’t getting indexed, and fix the problems shown. Sometimes it’s as easy as deleting a broken link or correcting a redirect.

Companies offering Technical SEO Services Raleigh NC usually run these checks every month as part of a broader SEO plan.

Fix #5: Build a Better Internal Linking Structure

Internal links help Google understand your website and crawl it more effectively. They also keep users on your site longer by guiding them to related pages.

Here’s what to do:

  • Link from high-traffic pages to lower-ranking but valuable pages
  • Use clear, relevant anchor text like “Technical SEO in Raleigh NC”
  • Keep links natural—don’t overdo it

If your site has hundreds of pages but few internal links, search engines might miss some important content.

Fix #6: Improve Load Speed and Performance

Site speed affects everything—from bounce rate to search rankings. WordPress sites often suffer from slow loading times, especially if they use heavy themes or too many plugins.

Use tools like:

  • PageSpeed Insights
  • GTmetrix
  • Lighthouse

Speed up your WordPress site by:

  • Compressing images
  • Enabling browser caching
  • Minimizing CSS and JavaScript
  • Using a content delivery network (CDN)

Faster websites perform better in local search. That’s one reason many Raleigh businesses invest in Technical SEO Services in Raleigh that include speed optimization.

Fix #7: Make Sure Your Site Works on Mobile

Google now uses mobile-first indexing. If your mobile site doesn’t load well or the layout is broken, your rankings could drop—regardless of how well the desktop version performs.

Here’s how to check:

  • Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test
  • Visit your site on different devices
  • Look for issues like tiny buttons, overlapping text, or images that don’t resize

Choose themes that are built for mobile or use plugins that optimize mobile layouts. Raleigh users are often on their phones when looking for services, so this fix is crucial.

Fix #8: Add Schema Markup to Help Google Understand Your Content

Schema markup is a type of code that helps search engines better understand what your content is about. It also lets you show rich results like star ratings or business hours.

You can add schema using plugins like Schema Pro or Rank Math. Focus on:

  • Local business information (address, hours, phone number)
  • Reviews
  • FAQs
  • Products and services

Local schema is especially helpful for Raleigh-based businesses. It gives Google the signals it needs to connect your site with local searches.

Fix #9: Avoid Duplicate Content With Canonical Tags

WordPress makes it easy to accidentally create duplicates. Categories, tags, archives, and pagination can all lead to multiple URLs for the same content.

Canonical tags tell search engines which version of a page to treat as the original. Most SEO plugins handle this for you, but it’s worth reviewing to make sure it’s working right.

If you have multiple blog posts covering similar topics, or if you’ve updated old posts and reused content, this is a must.

Fix #10: Use HTTPS Across Your Whole Site

Google has said for years that HTTPS is a ranking factor. It also shows users that your site is safe.

You can get an SSL certificate from your web host or use a free one from Let’s Encrypt. Once installed:

  • Update your WordPress and site URLs
  • Redirect all HTTP pages to HTTPS
  • Fix any mixed content warnings

Most hosting companies in Raleigh offer help with this. If you’re still on HTTP, it’s time to upgrade—especially if you collect user data or take online payments.

Technical SEO Tips for Raleigh Business Websites

If you’re running a local business, you need to focus on Raleigh-specific SEO factors. These tips can help boost your visibility in the local market.

  • Include “Raleigh NC” in your page titles and meta descriptions
  • Add a local map to your contact page
  • Mention local landmarks or neighborhoods in your content
  • Keep your business name, address, and phone number consistent across the web

Local visibility depends on small details. Many Raleigh companies work with local experts to get these right through Technical SEO Services Raleigh NC.

FAQs About Technical SEO for WordPress (Raleigh Edition)

What’s the biggest technical SEO problem on WordPress sites?

Crawl errors and poor mobile optimization top the list. They block search engines or drive users away.

How do I check if my site is getting indexed?

Use Google Search Console. The “Pages” report under “Indexing” shows what’s being included and what’s missing.

Can I handle technical SEO on my own?

You can fix some basics, but advanced issues like schema, site speed, and canonical tags are easier to manage with help from professionals who offer Technical SEO in Raleigh NC.

Is one SEO plugin better than the rest?

Yoast and Rank Math are both strong. Use only one at a time to avoid conflicts.

How often should technical audits happen?

At least once every quarter. Sites that change often or have lots of content should be checked monthly.

Final Thoughts

Your WordPress site is more than just a digital business card. It’s your storefront, sales funnel, and marketing hub all in one. But without proper technical SEO, it might not be doing much at all.

Whether you’re fixing broken links, speeding up your site, or adding schema, these steps can make a major difference in how your site performs.

Need Help with Technical SEO in Raleigh NC?

If you’re searching for Technical SEO in Raleigh NC, we’re here to help. At Raleigh Digital Marketing Company, we specialize in fixing technical issues that hold WordPress sites back. From crawl errors to mobile problems, we solve what others miss.

  • Get a free site audit
  • Fix real problems, not just surface issues
  • Boost rankings where it counts—locally

👉 Contact Raleigh Digital Marketing Company now for expert Technical SEO Services in Raleigh.

Related Blog

Scroll to Top