Need Definitive Source on Wordpress SEO
-
I am a longtime practitioner of classic asp. I build sites with SEO built-in and administer largely to sites I have built.
I have, up til now, had a policy of not working (SEO) on Wordpress projects because -
- I don't presently build Wordpress sites
- Am unfamiliar with how SEO could be implemented on CMS
I have a long time client who wants me to do contract SEO work on various Wordpress sites on his servers.
Can someone point me to a definitive source on the latest methods for Wordpress SEO. I am very proficient in SEO with conventional web sites - I just need to know how to implement it in Wordpress.
I don't see how plug-ins can implement serious SEO, but my mind is open.
-
@[Vadim Mialik
I](http://moz.com/users/view/145337) think your "familiarization with the platform" is the answer. I know how to optimize - just not in Wordpress or other blog tech.
RE:"what you mean by serious SEO"
I presently rebuild pages to spec, in asp, rather than try to un-corrupt old code. I rename pictures, rename page filenames, edit the existing copy, etc. IOW, I build the pages around the SEO target. As I write the code, I make sure everything "fits" together. I have been getting excellent results this way.
If I start retrofitting Wordpress sites, I won't have that kind of access to customize.
I don't agree that Wordpress is inherently search friendly, but can imagine that demand has forced them to come up with workarounds.
I think Vadim has the right approach - learn the mechanics of what can be manipulated in Wordpress - then learn what I need to make up for what I can't do - my way.
I will definitely take a closer look at the Yoast plug-in.....Thanks for all replies
-
Yoast is good though one of the blogs I manage ran into a compatibility error with Yoast recently after the update to WordPress 3.6 (which was not fixed in 3.6.1) that lead to all of our pages serving a 500 status code to bots even though it showed everything correctly to users. We couldn't get it fixed and weren't sure what the exact cause of the issue was... so we're now using the All-In-One SEO plugin for one site to handle certain meta data for posts. We also use Headspace on another blog (which was because of a compatibility issue with AIO a while back). Honestly we're running pretty much 99% of the same plugins on every blog yet with every update there's always one that has a crazy compatibility error the rest won't and then we cycle through "seo" plugins until something works.
Overall though I don't mind WordPress... I've learned to live with its myriad quirks.
-
Nowadays we have a desire to establish a micro site using wordpress(watched couple of videos allready) Can you please advuse us a beginner guide how to establish from zero?
Thanks in advance
Frutiko Team
-
The Yoast SEO plugin is the way to go, as jStrong and Vadim have mentioned.
-
Have been doing SEO for a few years now and have to say that Yoast SEO Plugin does great things to get your site setup and well positioned for SEO, at least in terms on on-page optimization.
http://yoast.com/wordpress/seo/
It gives you a lot of flexibility for managing the SEO on different pages and posts. Sets up sitemaps, open graph tags, will give you recommendations on content in relation to targeted keywords, and helps you setup Google Authorship, just to name a few things. Another thing I like about it, is that it is not overly bloated. It just provides what you need and little else that you don't. You can set all this up yourself, certainly, but the amount of time you save using this plugin is huge and I'm all for that. Would not setup a wordpress build without this plugin.
-
"I don't see how plug-ins can implement serious SEO, but my mind is open."
If you could talk more on the above statement and let us know what you mean by serious SEO? Because the most popular and functional plugin http://yoast.com/wordpress/seo/ covers good majority of the on-page SEO optimization requirements.
Also a little background on Wordpress CMS as a platform, out of the box, It is a very SEO friendly content based platform.
These are great beginner to advanced guides to setting up the SEO plugin in the Wordpress CMS platform: http://www.quicksprout.com/the-advanced-guide-to-seo-chapter-4/ plus this: http://yoast.com/articles/wordpress-seo/
Hope this helps
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
SEO for business owners course link?
Hi, something I saw a few weeks back.. something Rand was doing titled something like 'SEO for business owners'? Could someone be so kind as to post the link (I'm sure i didn't imagine this!) Thanks 🙂
SEO Learn Center | | GregDixson0 -
Analytics for SEO
Can someone recommend a good (advance) online or offline (Europe) training course for Google Analytics?
SEO Learn Center | | Tormar0 -
What are the most effective SEO methods for online communities and forums?
My company has a global online community of over 350,000+ members. We allow users to submit articles revolving around the scrum and agile framework. Sometimes the submissions become overwhelming and I am curious if there is anyone out there who may have experience with this same scenario. I don't want to place meta data on every single article that comes in, because I don't have the resources nor time to optimize each and every article. Does anyone have techniques or suggestions in regards to either leaving the meta data untouched or customizing each individual piece? Any thoughts or ideas will be extremely helpful. Thanks
SEO Learn Center | | ScrumAlliance0 -
I changed the {Site Name} of our domain by capitalizing a letter. 48 hours later our SEO rankings are bad. How long does it take to rebound our prior rankings. The {site name} was at the end of every page title.
I changed the {Site Name} of our domain slightly and capitalized a letter. The impact 48 hours later on SEO is really, really bad. How long does it take to recapture our prior rankings and should I change the site name back to the original? The {site name} was at the end of every page title. Thanks for any help/advice on this. We worked so hard to get our business on the first page for many keywords and "POOF" we are gone now.
SEO Learn Center | | LinckB0 -
Is ASO The End of SEO?
App Store Optimization (ASO): Is It Really the New SEO? Which type of technique we have to follow in ASO? Is it same in different App store or every APP store have same technique?
SEO Learn Center | | afycon1 -
First Time SEO Online Store
Hi All, I have recently launched a new online store selling mobile phones and accessories. I have always found SEO to be one of those foggy areas, after all I see things through curly braces. However, as the director of the new online store I do need to get myself involved in SEO and all its wonders that it has to offer. I was wondering if any of the Pro SEO guys at there have any tips for an almost newbie in the world of SEO... Can it be made fun?? I find it at times to be a right slog and I do question whether I'm actually getting anywhere etc. Any responses or advice would be greatly appreciated. Regards Rob
SEO Learn Center | | stu567blue
Newbie to SEO ;o)0 -
Local SEO Practice: Creating a Fictitious Business?
Has anyone tried fabricating a fake, brick-and-mortar store as an SEO experiment? Sort of along the lines of what Starwood is doing (check out this Wikipedia experiment with the Test Galaxy Sheraton), but with a legitimate physical address and all? Was it useful? And are there any potential legal troubles that could arise from borrowing a vacant address? I'm thinking this could be helpful for my Intern to gain practical experience in local SEO, without the politics of working for a client But I wouldn't want to blight that address for future occupants if the experiment went horribly awry. We could instead offer pro bono services to a small business with a limited web presence – that would be useful to her, and constructive. But I'd like to have a better understanding of what signals Google looks for when deciding whether to index a website in local search, and see whether possible to dupe those algos. What are your thoughts, Mozzers? .
SEO Learn Center | | sweetfancymoses0 -
Suggestions For Our New Weekly SEO Podcast
We are getting ready to launch our new SEO weekly podcast in the next few weeks and thought I would get your opinion and suggestions on what you would want to hear. This is going to be a free weekly podcast all about the SEO news of the week, tips, what's working and what's not, and things like that.We will mainly be talking about the latest news in the SEO space on a weekly basis. Might even need a co-host from time to time. I thought I would check and see if you guys have any suggestions or recommendations based on what YOU would like to hear in an SEO podcast? I want this to be something valuable that people will enjoy and benefit from so let me know if you have any suggestions for topics we should cover, show format, etc. Thanks in advance!
SEO Learn Center | | N5c0