Technical SEO Checklist for Custom Websites
A development-focused technical SEO checklist covering crawlability, index control, canonical URLs, metadata, schema, internal linking, sitemaps, redirects and performance.
Section 1
Build index control into the routing layer
Custom websites should decide intentionally which URLs can exist and which should be indexable. Search problems often appear when filter combinations, duplicate paths, staging pages or thin generated pages are exposed accidentally.
- Canonical URL for every indexable page
- Consistent trailing-slash policy
- Robots directives
- XML sitemap limited to canonical pages
- Redirect mapping during migrations
- Noindex for thin utility or account pages where appropriate
Section 2
Use structured data only when the page supports it
Schema should describe real visible entities and content. Organization, WebSite, BreadcrumbList, Service, Article and FAQPage can be useful when the corresponding information is genuinely present. Ratings and reviews should never be invented.
- Organization identity
- Service provider and area served
- Breadcrumb relationships
- Article authorship and dates
- Review profile links when verified
- FAQ markup only for visible FAQs
Section 3
Internal linking is part of architecture
Service pages should connect to relevant industries, locations, resources and conversion pages. Location pages should connect back to the core service, nearby real service areas and useful supporting content. This helps users and crawlers understand the hierarchy.