When SPAs only load content dynamically, preventing search engines from discovering internal links and indexing content.
Why SPA SEO Issues Matter
SPAs are a major issue for SEO because they can prevent a search engine’s crawler from seeing the content on a webpage. While they offer a fast and seamless user experience, they can be an SEO nightmare if not implemented correctly. The core problem is that a search engine’s crawler and a user’s browser are not the same. A user’s browser executes JavaScript to display a full, rich page, but a search crawler may only see a basic HTML file with no content. This is a major issue, as a website with no content in the index has no chance of ranking. A failure to address these issues can cost a business millions in lost organic traffic and revenue.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of SPA SEO issues depends on your CMS and how you build your site.
WordPress
WordPress’s default structure is not a single-page application. However, many developers use a JavaScript framework to build a custom front-end on top of a WordPress backend. In these cases, it is crucial to use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach to ensure that your pages are crawlable and indexable.
Shopify
Shopify’s standard themes are not SPAs, so you typically don’t have to worry about this issue. However, if you are using a headless commerce approach with a JavaScript framework, you must use a pre-rendering solution or a server-side rendering approach to ensure all your product pages are crawled and indexed.
Wix
Wix has a closed system that is generally SEO-friendly. While you cannot use an external JavaScript framework, Wix’s platform has been designed to handle its dynamic content in a way that is compliant with search engine guidelines, so you don’t typically need to worry about the technical side of JavaScript SEO.
Webflow
Webflow generates clean, semantic HTML that is highly SEO-friendly. While you can add your own JavaScript, the core content is always rendered on the server, which prevents the SEO issues commonly associated with pure SPAs.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You must use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach to ensure all your pages are crawlable and indexable. This is the most effective way to ensure that your SPA is SEO-friendly.
Across Different Industries
SPA SEO issues are a concern for all industries that use dynamic content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often use SPAs for a fast and modern user experience. It is crucial to ensure that all your product and category pages are rendered and indexed, as a failure to do so can lead to a significant loss of organic traffic and sales.
Local Businesses
Local businesses may use an SPA for their website to create a fast and seamless user experience. It is crucial to ensure that their key pages, like their location, hours, and contact information, are easily crawlable and indexable for local search.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies often use a JavaScript framework for their marketing pages and dashboards. It is crucial to ensure 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. It is critical for all articles to be rendered and indexed, which is a major factor in organic traffic.
Do’s and Don’ts of SPA SEO
Do’s
- Do use server-side rendering (SSR). This is the gold standard for SPA SEO. It ensures that a search engine crawler always receives a fully-formed HTML page.
- Do use a pre-rendering solution. If you are using a client-side rendering (CSR) approach, a pre-rendering solution is a must.
- Do use Google Search Console. The URL Inspection tool will show you exactly how Google sees your pages.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a pure client-side rendering (CSR) approach. This is the number one mistake and can lead to a page having little to no visibility in search results.
- Don’t block search engines from crawling your JavaScript files. A search engine needs to access your JavaScript to properly render the page.
- Don’t forget to optimize your titles and meta descriptions. Just because your content is dynamic does not mean you can ignore these on-page SEO basics.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- A lack of server-side rendering (SSR) or pre-rendering: This is the most common and devastating mistake.
- Discrepancies between the rendered and static HTML: Sometimes, a page that looks great to a user is a mess to a crawler. You must ensure that the rendered content is the same as the static content.
- Failing to check for crawling errors: Use Google Search Console’s URL Inspection and Coverage reports to check for crawling errors and fix them immediately.
FAQs
How does an SPA hurt my website’s crawlability?
An SPA can hurt your crawlability because the content is not in the initial HTML. A search engine’s crawler must execute the JavaScript to see the content, and if there’s a rendering error or a timeout, the crawler may miss important information.
Is an SPA a bad choice for a website?
No, an SPA is not a bad choice. It can provide a fantastic user experience. However, it requires a different SEO strategy than a traditional website to ensure it is fully crawlable and indexable.
What is the difference between an SPA and a traditional website?
A traditional website loads a new HTML page for every user click. An SPA loads a single HTML file and dynamically updates the content using JavaScript.
How can I test if my SPA is SEO-friendly?
The best way is to use Google’s URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. It will show you a screenshot of how Google sees your page and a list of any rendering issues it found.
Can a search engine index content in an SPA that is only visible after a user clicks a button?
Yes. Google’s crawler is a headless browser that can click buttons and interact with a page’s JavaScript. However, it is a best practice to use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach to ensure your most important content is easily crawlable.
