JavaScript is an application for web developers. It allows them to add codes to their site. It is an improvement to HTML language as many tasks cannot happen through it. However, these tasks can take place through JavaScript. These tasks are mainly responsive actions like zooming in an image. The best thing about JavaScript is that it enhances the experience of a person visiting the site. It is very easy to understand and helps in making the platform interactive. However, people using JavaScript make some common mistakes relating to SEO. These mistakes may reduce the lead to problems on the website. Here is a list of mistakes you should avoid while using JavaScript error to avoid blunders in SEO.
Avoid Blocking JavaScript from robots.txt
Earlier the technology was not as updated as it is now. Search engines couldn’t crawl files of JavaScript. Due to this reason, these files went into directories. They block robots.txt, which is a file made by site runners. It has instructions for search engines regarding which information they should crawl.
With time, search engines are now able to crawl JavaScript. So the site runners don’t need to block robots.txt. Make sure to unblock it so that Google can index your webpage. In case google finds it impossible to access the JavaScript files, it will send a message. You can trace the blocked robots.txt by running a site crawl.
Position JavaScript Below the Fold
Every browser needs to condense the content for showing it as a page. It is irrespective of whether it is from HTML, JavaScript, or CSS. Condensing JavaScript necessitates the browser to ask for the JavaScript file. Then the browser downloads it and condenses the file. If the JavaScript is not placed properly, it may increase the time to load the page. Such things reduce user experience and can go against the webpage.
Content in JavaScript loads as per the sequence of appearance. So it is important to place the JavaScript on the lower side of the page. Place it over the fold space for content that does not affect the speed of loading the page. Only keep those JavaScript files that are important and necessary. It is because much of it increases the time of loading a web page.
Small JavaScript in the <Head>
Only put small JavaScript as an inline in <Head>. Using small JavaScript files increases the pace of loading the page. Don’t inline <Head> with large files and practice this in case the text has other SEO elements. To avoid the page from slowing down, keep the elements of SEO above the JavaScript files. You should do this so that these elements go for processing before the JavaScript files. It increases the pace of loading the files.
Avoid JavaScript for Content Rendering
You should avoid JavaScript for content rendering. Google needs to re-crawl your content if you use it for content rendering. Google uses Web rendering service for this. It takes a lot of time for Google to index something relevant and significant. There is an application called the Document Object Model (DOM). It is not a web browser but shows how the website looks in a browser. Crawling is the first step for Search Engine Optimisation. It is here that the search engine recognizes the content of a page and displays it in its results. Google crawls the JavaScript only after it processes HTML content. It may rewrite the HTML content with JavaScript if it does not match. The crawl budget of Google for your website will decide the time taken for crawling. It may take hours but can even extend to weeks. You can use DOM to know whether the JavaScript text is affecting the content. If anything comes up, switch the elements of JavaScript with that of HTML.
No To JavaScript Redirects
Website developers use JavaScript. They use it so that Google comprehends it and considers it as a regular redirect. This again increases the time for loading the site and disrupts the user experience. It is because JavaScript gets crawled only after HTML content. It can take hours and weeks to crawl through the redirect. The speed of a website is subjective to the internet connection. However, it is measured against the speed of the internet of the original device.
Avoid JavaScript when there is an alternative
Website developers make a very common mistake of using JavaScript everywhere. It may go against you, as this may slow down your webpage. If you have any other alternative, it is better to go for that. Like, try to use as much HTML content as possible so that maximum content gets crawled. Moreover, you will have to wait for less for the crawling of JavaScript content.
Conclusion
JavaScript can be an important part of your website. Using it excessively will slow down the performance of your site. Use it where you need it. Otherwise, you will end up blaming it for everything that goes wrong. Understand the functionality of JavaScript before you apply it.
