Improving website performance and SEO as a developer involves optimizing speed, code structure, and content for both users and search engines. Here's a step-by-step guide to boosting your site's performance and SEO π:
β‘ Website Performance Optimization
1οΈβ£ Optimize Images & Media πΌοΈ
β
Use modern formats: WebP, AVIF (instead of PNG/JPEG).
β
Implement lazy loading: <img loading="lazy">
.
β
Use CDN (Content Delivery Network) to serve images faster.
π§ Tools: TinyPNG, Squoosh
2οΈβ£ Minimize HTTP Requests & Optimize Assets π¦
β
Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML to reduce file size.
β
Bundle & defer JavaScript to prevent render-blocking.
β
Use HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 for faster loading.
β
Implement Gzip or Brotli compression.
π§ Tools: Terser, UglifyJS
3οΈβ£ Improve Page Load Speed β³
β
Implement caching (browser + server-side).
β
Reduce third-party scripts (like tracking pixels).
β
Use lazy loading & preloading for essential resources.
β
Optimize fonts (use system fonts or preload web fonts).
π§ Tools: Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights
4οΈβ£ Optimize Database & Server Response π₯οΈ
β
Use a fast hosting provider (Cloudflare, Vercel, or Netlify for static sites).
β
Optimize database queries (use indexing, caching).
β
Reduce redirect chains.
π§ Tools: GTmetrix, New Relic
π SEO Optimization for Developers
5οΈβ£ Improve Core Web Vitals π
β
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) < 2.5s → Optimize images & server response.
β
First Input Delay (FID) < 100ms → Reduce JavaScript execution time.
β
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) < 0.1 → Avoid layout shifts by setting explicit widths/heights.
π§ Tools: Google Search Console, Lighthouse
6οΈβ£ Implement Proper HTML & Semantic Structure ποΈ
β
Use correct heading structure (<h1> → <h2> → <h3>
).
β
Add alt text to all images for accessibility & SEO.
β
Use schema markup for better search visibility (e.g., product, reviews, FAQs).
π§ Tools: Schema.org, Rich Results Test
7οΈβ£ Optimize URL Structure & Internal Linking π
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Use clean, descriptive URLs (e.g., /best-seo-practices/
instead of /page?id=123
).
β
Implement canonical tags to avoid duplicate content.
β
Use internal linking to improve crawlability.
π§ Tools: Screaming Frog
8οΈβ£ Optimize Metadata & Content βοΈ
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Add unique & compelling meta titles/descriptions.
β
Ensure keyword-rich but natural content.
β
Improve readability & mobile-friendliness.
π§ Tools: Yoast SEO, SurferSEO
9οΈβ£ Mobile Optimization π±
β
Use responsive design (CSS flexbox/grid, media queries).
β
Test with Google Mobile-Friendly Test.
β
Ensure tap targets & buttons are easily clickable.
π§ Tools: Google Mobile-Friendly Test