SEO at the Web Development Stage. SEO First

Many web developers create websites primarily based on client preferences. However, they do not always consider the requirements and algorithms of search engines. In most cases, developer optimization is limited to setting up friendly URLs a user-friendly URL, where links look like this:
site.com/catalog/nokia3310,
and not like this:
site.com/index.php?id=322&offset=15, assigning meta-tags like title and description, and placing “SEO-texts” on pages.

It’s only when the project is ready to launch or when the client doesn’t see the expected traffic from search engines that the discussion turns to comprehensive optimization. Sometimes, due to errors or oversights at the initial stage, it takes 1-2 months to redo the work instead of moving on to the next phase.

You can compare the list of tasks and the difference between the Common and Correct approaches to website work thanks to a visualized action sequence:

13 SEO Benefits During Development You Didn’t Know About

1. Search engines continue to complicate their algorithms, reducing the impact of external factors on a website’s ranking. However, quality internal and technical optimization is gaining influence. It forms a solid foundation for the site’s future growth in search results;
2. The semantic core helps determine which sections of the site are most in demand by visitors. For example, if you’re selling jeans and t-shirts but don’t know which will be more popular, you might hesitate over which section to feature more prominently. Semantic analysis easily solves this question. The semantic core also allows you to develop a strong content marketing strategy and prepare content alongside web development;
3. First impressions are hard to change. This applies not only to people but also to search engines. Some websites can be “loved at first sight,” while others may be ignored for months. This depends on the quality of the newly created site and its content;
4. Microdata on a site signals to search engines which information to process. This improves the relevance of the page for both search engines and users. Microdata is added to the HTML templates of a site. Naturally, it’s much easier to implement this during the template creation stage than to add it later to already existing pages;
5. The larger the site, the more impactful technical optimization can be;
6. H1-H6 tags should be used only in texts, not in other site elements;
7. Identical content across multiple pages is a negative ranking factor, even if these are different pages in the same catalog section;
8. There are three ways to make pagination search engine-friendly. However, 90% of newly created websites don’t have pagination set up correctly, which also results in duplicate content;
9. Site loading speed is a crucial ranking factor;
10. For uniform pages, automatic generation of title and description can be set up. Configure it once and forget about it 😊;
11. It’s necessary to block the site from indexing during development, but this is not always done;
12. Starting SEO optimization alongside website development can secure good positions for low- and medium-frequency queries even without external optimization;
13. Proper internal and technical optimization minimizes the risk of a ban.

The SEO Specialist’s Role in the Development Team:

• Compiling the semantic core;
• Creating a relevance map (distributing keywords across pages);
• Writing technical specifications for the layout designer;
• Writing technical specifications for the developer;
• Monitoring the work of the layout designer and developer;
• Integrating the website into search engines.

Conclusion

Involving SEO specialists at the website development stage saves time and money, reduces the risk of a ban, and accelerates the website’s rise to the top by 2-3 times.