15 Handy tips for a better-performing website (#12)

Changing your domain name can impact your SEO. Here's how to handle it

Thinking about a rebrand? That might mean changing your domain name. But before you make the switch, there’s an important question to answer: Can I change my domain without hurting my SEO?

The short answer is: no.

When you change your domain, the URL for every page on your website changes too. This means Google must recrawl, reevaluate, and reindex your site, which takes time. You will likely see a temporary drop in your search rankings and traffic.

But here’s the good news: if you handle the change correctly, your traffic can bounce back to its original levels. The key is to set up your redirects properly, so Google knows where your content has moved.

It’s one of the hidden costs of rebranding, but one you can manage with the right approach.

Make sure important content is visible for both AI and people

If you have FAQs hidden in tabs or product specs in pop-ups, rethink that approach. Search engines and AI tools, like ChatGPT, only see what is visible in your page’s HTML. If key content such as FAQs, product specs, or support information is hidden, it might go unnoticed. This means that your useful information could end up invisible to AI and search engines. To fix this, keep important content visible on your page. This way, it will be easier for users to access, index, and use.

Create a visually engaging website

Today’s web users are visual creatures. If your website is still relying on stock photos and static banners, it’s time for an upgrade. People are used to scrolling through TikTok and Instagram. Platforms built around short videos, animation, and visual interaction. That sets the bar for what’s engaging online. To keep your visitors interested, think beyond appearances. Use movement and storytelling. Add short videos. Try simple animations. Make elements interactive. You don’t have to go overboard. Just add a few dynamic touches to make your website feel alive. The more visually engaging your site is, the longer people will stick around.

How to get your new website picked up faster by search engines

Here’s a tip straight from Google: if your website isn’t ready yet, be careful what you publish. Anything you put online before your launch can affect how Google views your website. If you use a generic CMS holding page or a standard “coming soon” screen, Google might treat your website as low-value or even as a duplicate of other parked domains. That can slow things down later. It often takes longer for those “parked” sites to be recognised as real websites, even after the proper content goes live.

Instead, do one of these two things:

• Keep your DNS disabled until your website is ready
• Put up a simple, custom holding page that shows something original and useful.

This way, Google will see your website as legitimate from day one, and you will get picked up faster.

Write better page titles for SEO and clicks

Writing effective page titles is crucial for SEO and attracting clicks. We’ve discussed the importance of titles before, but it’s worth repeating. Page titles are small but mighty. They appear in search results and help both Google and your visitors understand what each page is about.

Here are some key tips for creating strong titles:

• Make each page title unique and clearly describe what the page is about.
• Ideally, keep titles to 50–60 characters to avoid them being cut off in search results. But do not stress if you go over slightly. Google will still read the full page title.
• Start with your most important keywords, but keep the title sounding natural. Write for people, not just search engines.
• Add your brand name to the end of the title to improve recognition, even if it may not always appear.

A strong title can mean the difference between someone clicking your page or scrolling past. Make sure to use this opportunity wisely.

Make the most of your confirmation page

Your confirmation page is a golden opportunity. Once someone makes a purchase or signs up, you have their attention. Don’t waste it. This is the perfect place to add low-friction extras that boost engagement and build your relationship.

You can include:

• Related product suggestions
• Prompts for newsletter sign-ups
• Invites to create an account
• Helpful guides or resources
• Links to download your app
• Quick surveys
• Special offers or promotions

These extras won’t disrupt the transaction. They come after the main action is done. That means no risk of checkout friction. Use this moment wisely. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep people engaged.

What is an external link (and why it matters for SEO)

An external link is a link that goes from one website to another. For example, if your website includes a link to another company’s website, that’s an external link. These links are important for search engines. They see external links as votes of confidence. When a trusted website links to your page, it shows that your content is credible and valuable. Pages with many high-quality external links, also known as backlinks, usually rank higher in search results. It’s not just about the number of links; who links to you matters too. In short, external links are essential for SEO. You can earn them by creating great content that others want to share and reference.

Customer reviews are important for your online rankings

You can have great content. Spot-on SEO. Tons of solid backlinks.
But if you have poor reviews or no reviews at all, your rankings might suffer. Search engines pay close attention to reviews. They look at your overall rating, how recent your reviews are, and how many you’ve got. This information signals trustworthiness and can affect your local search results and click-through rates. A strong collection of reviews shows Google (and your customers) that you’re trustworthy. So, don’t overlook reviews. Ask for them, respond to them, and include them in your SEO strategy.

Mark optional fields, not required ones

The moment someone sees your form for the first time, they’re already deciding whether to fill it out or not. If it looks long, messy, or complicated, they are more likely to leave. One common mistake is marking every required field with a red asterisk or “(required).” It makes your form look harder than it is. It adds clutter and makes it visually complex, which means more mental effort for the user and a lower chance they’ll finish. Instead, flip the approach: mark only the optional fields. This keeps your form cleaner, simpler, and less intimidating. It also creates a better first impression, which means more people are likely to engage. A simple change, but a powerful one.

Why blogging is still one of the best things you can do for your business

isn’t just for writers and influencers. It is a powerful tool that can help your business grow online, and it offers many benefits.

Here’s why it’s worth your time:

• Better rankings – A well-written blog can help your website appear at the top of search results. Blog posts with useful information and relevant keywords help build your authority over time.
• More organic traffic – Blogging drives consistent traffic to your website and social media. It feels natural rather than pushy.
• Educated customers – Use blog posts to explain your products, services, and industry trends in an informative way.
• Stronger inbound marketing – Good blog content builds trust and attracts people without being “salesy.”
• More conversions – Helpful blogs turn readers into customers. When people understand what you offer and why it matters, they’re more likely to buy.
• Industry credibility – Regularly blogging about your expertise makes you a trusted source in your field.
• Community and connection – A blog gives your audience something to return to and engage with repeatedly.
• Promotion (done right) – You can discuss your products or services without sounding like an ad. Focus on providing value rather than pushing sales.
• More revenue – Smart calls-to-action and internal links can turn blog readers into paying customers.
• Marketing support – Blogs are flexible tools that enhance your brand, tone, and message across your entire marketing strategy.

The bottom line? A good blog does much more than sit on your website. It builds your brand, boosts traffic, and drives sales. All at the same time.

Give your image files SEO-friendly names

Google looks at both the file name and ALT text of your images. This means that using the right file names can help your images appear in search results and bring more visitors to your site.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Use clear, relevant keywords that describe the image.
• Skip long, detailed descriptions. Keep it short and precise.
• Make sure the file name actually matches the image content
• Keep it consistent with your ALT text and title text, if used

For example, instead of naming a file IMG_2938.jpg, you could use blue-running-shoes.jpg. This small step helps search engines better understand your images and website.

How to clean up old content the smart way

Got old content that’s outdated or just not doing anything for your website?

Here are three smart ways to handle it:

1. Update it – If the post still has potential, bring it up to date and republish it. Add new info, fix any broken links, and improve the formatting.
2. Redirect it – If there’s a newer or more relevant page, set up a redirect from the old content to the new one. That way, you don’t lose any SEO value or confuse your visitors.
3. Delete it –  If the content is truly outdated and has no value, it’s okay to delete it. Just make sure you remove or redirect any links pointing to it.

Cleaning up old content makes your website better, more helpful, and easier for Google to understand.

Write like your readers are in a hurry

Most people don’t come to your website to read. They come to get something done. And long-winded writing slows them down.

Get straight to the point.
Cut unnecessary fluff.
Use clear and strong words.
Keep sentences short and direct.

Every word should serve a purpose. If your writing feels too long or complicated, it’s time to simplify. Avoid endless commas and wandering thoughts. Instead, choose clear words that convey meaning effectively.

Clear writing helps people take action faster, and that’s what your website is really there for.

Avoid CAPTCHAs. They do more harm than good

CAPTCHAs can create more problems than it solves. They were designed to stop spam, but they also make things more complicated for users. Many people find them confusing and frustrating. While it’s important to block bots, captchas often push away real users, leading to fewer sign-ups and a poorer experience.

Instead, try friendlier spam prevention options like:

• Hidden form fields (honeypots)
• Rate limiting
• Email or phone verification after submission

Keep your forms simple and quick to fill out. The easier it is for visitors, the more likely they are to stay engaged.

Make your pages look great when shared on social media

Have you ever shared a link and seen a strange preview or no preview at all? This happens when your page is missing necessary metadata. To make your content look right on social media, add Open Graph tags to your pages. These tags help platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn show the correct title, image, and description when someone shares your link. For X, set up X Cards to achieve the same effect. After you add the tags, test your URLs with preview tools to ensure they look good. This simple step makes your pages look professional and appealing when shared, which can increase your traffic and engagement.