Written by Website security is an essential aspect of SEO, as it directly impacts user trust, search engine rankings, and the overall performance of your site. Google has confirmed that security is a ranking factor, and it is crucial for protecting both your website and your visitors. By conducting a free SEO audit for website security, you can identify vulnerabilities, fix security flaws, and ensure that your website remains safe and trustworthy for both users and search engines.
In this blog, we will walk you through the steps to conduct a free SEO audit for website security, and how tools like SEOshapers can help you achieve a secure and SEO-friendly website.
Why Website Security Matters for SEO
Website security isn’t just about protecting your website from hackers; it also plays a vital role in SEO. Here’s why website security is important for your SEO efforts:
- Google Prefers Secure Websites (HTTPS)
Google has explicitly stated that HTTPS is a ranking factor. Websites with HTTPS encryption are trusted more by both users and search engines. If your site is still using HTTP, Google may penalize you in search rankings, and visitors may receive security warnings when accessing your site. - Protecting Your Users and Data
Website security protects your users’ sensitive data, including personal information and payment details. A hacked website can result in stolen user data, which can damage your reputation and result in penalties from search engines. - Preventing Malware and Blacklisting
A compromised website may get blacklisted by search engines or antivirus software, making it impossible for users to access it. A website flagged as insecure will also suffer from lower rankings, reduced traffic, and lost trust from visitors. - SEO Benefits from Secure Websites
Websites with stronger security measures often perform better in terms of page speed, as they have fewer interruptions and technical issues. Security-focused websites are more likely to receive trust signals from Google, which can positively impact SEO.
Steps to Conduct a Free SEO Audit for Website Security
Now, let’s walk through how to conduct a free SEO audit for website security. This process helps identify any vulnerabilities, security risks, and areas that need improvement.
1. Check for HTTPS
The first thing you should check when auditing your website for security is whether it uses HTTPS instead of HTTP. Google prioritizes secure websites, and a website with HTTPS encryption not only secures the data exchanged between your site and users but also boosts trust and credibility.
How to Check:
- SEOshapers provides a free SEO audit tool that will check whether your site is secured with HTTPS.
- You can also manually check by looking at the URL in the address bar of your website. If it starts with “https://” rather than “http://”, your website is secure.
If your site is not secured with HTTPS, you should install an SSL certificate to encrypt your website’s data.
2. Scan for Malware and Security Issues
Malware and security breaches are serious threats that can affect both user trust and SEO rankings. To ensure your site is secure, scan for malware and vulnerabilities that could compromise your site’s integrity.
How to Check:
- Use Sucuri SiteCheck, a free tool that scans your website for malware, backdoors, and other security threats.
- SEOshapers also scans for basic security issues, such as missing HTTPS encryption or outdated software that could pose a security risk.
If malware or vulnerabilities are detected, take immediate action to remove the malicious code, update your software, and improve your site’s security measures.
3. Review Your Website’s Software and Plugins
Outdated software and plugins are common targets for hackers. If your website runs on a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, it is crucial to regularly update the software and plugins to the latest versions.
How to Check:
- Review the versions of your CMS and plugins and ensure they are up-to-date. If you’re using WordPress, for example, you can check for updates from your dashboard.
- SEOshapers provides a report that highlights any outdated software or plugins that may compromise your site’s security.
Regularly updating your software and plugins will ensure your website is protected against known vulnerabilities and security exploits.
4. Check for Broken Links and 404 Errors
While broken links and 404 errors aren’t directly related to security, they can have a negative impact on user experience and SEO. Malicious actors may exploit broken links to inject harmful code or redirect traffic to suspicious sites.
How to Check:
- Use a free tool like Google Search Console to check for 404 errors and broken links.
- SEOshapers can also detect broken links, which could lead to potential security risks if exploited.
Once identified, fix broken links and ensure your website provides a seamless experience for users.
5. Perform a Backlink Check
Backlinks play an essential role in SEO, but they can also impact website security. If your website is linked from a suspicious or spammy website, it could harm your SEO rankings and even make your site more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
How to Check:
- Use Ahrefs or Ubersuggest to check your website’s backlink profile for low-quality or suspicious backlinks.
- SEOshapers provides a backlink analysis to help you identify and remove harmful links that could hurt your site’s security and SEO.
Ensure that your backlinks are from reputable and trustworthy sources to protect both your website’s security and SEO performance.
6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your website’s admin panel, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your site. If you manage your site on platforms like WordPress, enabling 2FA is essential for securing your login.
How to Check:
- SEOshapers may not directly check for 2FA, but it’s an important security feature to set up yourself.
- Many CMS platforms, like WordPress, offer plugins that enable 2FA. Ensure that you enable this feature to protect your site from unauthorized access.
7. Monitor Your Site’s Security Health Regularly
Security is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. Regularly monitoring your site’s security will help you stay ahead of potential threats.
How to Monitor:
- Use Google Search Console to get alerts if Google detects any security issues or manual penalties related to your site.
- SEOshapers provides a continuous SEO audit tool that can help you monitor your website’s security, performance, and overall SEO health over time.
How SEOshapers Can Help You Improve Website Security
SEOshapers offers a free SEO audit tool that checks critical aspects of your website’s security and SEO health. By using SEOshapers, you can:
- Check HTTPS: Quickly verify whether your site uses HTTPS encryption.
- Scan for Security Issues: Identify any potential security risks and vulnerabilities.
- Analyze Backlinks: Assess your backlink profile to ensure there are no harmful or spammy links.
- Monitor Performance and Security: Track your website’s security and performance over time to ensure that any issues are addressed promptly.
Conclusion
Conducting a free SEO audit for website security is essential for maintaining a secure, high-performing website that ranks well in search engines. By using free tools like SEOshapers, Google Search Console, Sucuri SiteCheck, and more, you can ensure that your website remains safe, secure, and optimized for both users and search engines.
Start your free SEO audit today with SEOshapers and take the necessary steps to improve your website’s security and SEO health!
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