JavaScript SEO covers how JS frameworks affect crawling, rendering, and indexing. Ensure important content is server-rendered or accessible after rendering, and test with tools like GSC URL Inspection.
Why JavaScript SEO Matters
JavaScript SEO matters because a website with rendering issues is invisible to search engines. The core problem is that a search engine’s crawler and a user’s browser are not the same. While a user’s browser is designed to execute JavaScript to create a rich, dynamic experience, a search crawler may not execute the JavaScript or may not wait for it to render, leading to a blank or incomplete page in the search index. This results in a website having zero visibility in search results, a significant loss of organic traffic, and a failure to capitalize on the benefits of a modern web experience. Effective JavaScript SEO is the only way to ensure your content is seen and indexed by search engines.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of JavaScript SEO depends on your CMS and how you build your site.
WordPress
WordPress’s default structure is not a JavaScript-heavy site, so it is naturally SEO-friendly. However, if you are building a custom front-end with a JavaScript framework on top of a WordPress backend, you must use a server-side rendering (SSR) approach to ensure that your pages are crawlable and indexable.
Shopify
Shopify’s standard themes are also not JavaScript-heavy, which is great for SEO. If you are using a headless commerce approach with a JavaScript framework, you must use 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. The platform’s system 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 client-side rendered applications.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that is perfectly optimized for a search engine’s rendering budget by using a server-side rendering (SSR) approach. This is the most effective way to ensure that all your pages are rendered and indexed.
Across Different Industries
The principles of JavaScript SEO are universal and apply to any industry that uses dynamic content.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites often use a JavaScript framework 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 a JavaScript framework 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 JavaScript SEO
Do’s
- Do use a server-side rendering (SSR) or pre-rendering solution. This is the gold standard for JavaScript SEO.
- Do use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console. This tool will show you how Google sees your pages.
- Do ensure all your important links are in the HTML. This is a great way to ensure that a search crawler can find all 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 use a JavaScript-only pagination. This can lead to a significant portion of your content being invisible to search engines.
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
Is JavaScript SEO different from traditional SEO?
Yes, JavaScript SEO is a specialization of traditional SEO. While it uses the same core principles, it focuses on the unique technical challenges presented by a JavaScript-heavy site.
Is JavaScript a ranking factor?
No, JavaScript is not a ranking factor. However, the way it is implemented can significantly impact your website’s crawlability, which is a major factor in search rankings.
How does JavaScript SEO affect my website’s crawl budget?
JavaScript SEO affects your crawl budget because a search engine has a finite amount of time and resources to crawl your site. If a search engine crawler spends too much time rendering your pages, it may not get to all of them, which can lead to a lower indexation rate.
How can I check if my website has a JavaScript SEO issue?
The most common sign of a JavaScript SEO issue is when your content is not appearing in Google’s index. You can check this by using Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool and seeing what the crawler sees.
What is the difference between client-side and server-side rendering?
Client-side rendering means the browser builds the page with JavaScript. Server-side rendering means the server builds the page with a fully formed HTML document, which is better for SEO.
