The process of checking how Googlebot crawls and renders JS-based websites using tools like Google Search Console’s URL Inspection.
Why JavaScript SEO Testing Matters
From my experience, if you are not testing your JavaScript, you are not doing SEO. Many developers and businesses build a beautiful website with a JavaScript framework and assume that because it looks great, it will be great for SEO. This is a common and often devastating mistake. A single JavaScript error or a slow rendering speed can cause a search crawler to miss your most valuable content. Testing is the only way to confirm that your site is fully crawlable and indexable. It gives you the data you need to fix any problems before they cause a drop in your organic traffic and a loss of revenue.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The way you test a website’s JavaScript SEO depends on your CMS and how you build your site.
WordPress
For WordPress, you can use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console to test individual pages. You should also check for any rendering issues caused by a plugin or a theme. A simple test is to disable your plugins one by one and check if a page is rendered correctly.
Shopify
Shopify’s standard themes are SEO-friendly, so JavaScript SEO testing is not a major concern. However, if you are using a third-party app that adds dynamic content, you should use the Google Search Console to check for any rendering issues.
Wix
Wix has a closed system, so you typically don’t need to worry about JavaScript SEO testing. However, it is still a good practice to use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console to ensure your pages are rendered correctly.
Webflow
Webflow generates clean HTML, so JavaScript SEO testing is not a major concern. However, if you add custom JavaScript to your site, you should use the Google Search Console to ensure it is not causing any rendering errors.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can use a combination of tools like the URL Inspection tool, Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, and a third-party rendering tool to ensure your site is fully crawlable and indexable.
Across Different Industries
JavaScript SEO testing is a necessity for all industries that use dynamic content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often have thousands of pages, making a limited rendering budget a major issue. Testing is crucial for ensuring that all your product and category pages are rendered and indexed.
Local Businesses
Local businesses with a smaller number of pages may not need to worry as much about a rendering budget. However, it is still a best practice to test your site to ensure all your key pages are indexed.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies often use a JavaScript framework for their marketing pages and dashboards. Testing is crucial for ensuring that their marketing pages are rendered and indexed, while their user dashboards can remain a client-side rendered application.
Blogs
Blogs built with a JavaScript framework can suffer from a limited rendering budget. Testing is critical for ensuring that all your articles are rendered and indexed, which is a major factor in organic traffic.
Do’s and Don’ts of JavaScript SEO Testing
Do’s
- Do use the Google Search Console. The URL Inspection tool will show you exactly how Google sees your pages.
- Do use a systematic approach. Check for common errors first, such as a noindex tag or a robots.txt file that is blocking crawlers.
- Do check your server logs. Your server logs can provide clues as to how search crawlers are interacting with your site.
Don’ts
- Don’t assume what you see in your browser is what a search engine sees. This is the biggest mistake you can make. Always use a tool to check.
- Don’t ignore rendering errors. A rendering error is a clear signal that a search engine is having a problem with your page.
- Don’t use a JavaScript-heavy page for your most valuable content without testing. A lack of testing can lead to a drop in your organic traffic and a loss of revenue.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not using Google Search Console: This is the most basic mistake. Google Search Console is the best tool for troubleshooting JavaScript SEO issues.
- Failing to check for JavaScript errors: A single JavaScript error can prevent a search engine from rendering your page.
- Ignoring the mobile view: A search crawler’s rendering budget is often limited, so it may not fully render your page on a mobile device. Always check for mobile usability issues.
FAQs
What is the best tool for JavaScript SEO testing?
The best tool is the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. It shows you exactly how Google sees your page and can help you diagnose and fix any rendering issues.
Why should I use a third-party rendering tool?
A third-party rendering tool can provide a more in-depth analysis of your website’s performance. It can help you identify rendering issues and JavaScript errors that may not be visible in Google Search Console.
What is the difference between a noindex tag and a JavaScript rendering issue?
A noindex tag tells a search engine not to index a page. A JavaScript rendering issue is a problem that prevents a search engine from seeing the content on a page, even if it is allowed to crawl and index it.
Can a website with a JavaScript error still rank?
A website with a JavaScript error may still rank, but it can be difficult. A single error can prevent a search engine from rendering your page, which can lead to a loss of organic traffic and a lower ranking.
How can I prevent JavaScript SEO issues?
The best way to prevent JavaScript SEO issues is to use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach. This ensures that a search engine crawler always receives a fully-formed HTML page.
