You might be surprised to learn that the size of your images can affect your WordPress SEO.

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Large image files are like an anchor, slowing down your website's loading speed. This delay in loading time can frustrate both users and search engines, negatively affecting your SEO.

To give you an idea, imagine running with a backpack full of rocks: that's what large images do to your website. Don't worry, optometrist accurate email database there's a solution. You have to compress those big image files without losing quality. It's not as complex as it seems.


Image optimization
Source: GTMetrix

The first step is to put those heavy images on a diet using compression tools. You have many options like TinyPNG, or if you prefer to work directly in WordPress, plugins like Imagify.

These handy tools will reduce the file size but keep the visual appeal intact. Think of slimming down our backpack without throwing away any valuable cargo.

Don't forget to rename your images
In addition to compression, naming files in a descriptive way also helps improve SEO positioning. Yes, something as simple as giving "meaning" to names instead of leaving them as "makes a difference.

This means renaming images based on what they represent – ​​for example, “apple-pie-recipe.jpg”. The keyword here, apple pie recipe, helps Google understand exactly what this image represents when it crawls the content of our page.

#8. Implement XML sitemaps
Similar to a roadmap for search engines, XML sitemaps play an essential role in search engine optimization. They ensure that search engines like Google can effectively find and index your website content.

An XML sitemap is a list of all the URLs on your site that you want search engines to crawl and index. It helps robots understand the layout of your website, making it easier for them to discover pages they might otherwise overlook.

What are XML sitemaps?
The core of an XML sitemap is its simplicity: it's basically just a list of URLs. But don't let this simplicity fool you; these lists provide vital information about each URL, such as when it was last updated or how often changes occur.

This digital roadmap not only helps guide crawlers, but also communicates directly with search engines about which pages are important and relevant on your WordPress site.

Therefore, creating one not only makes sense, but should be considered necessary.

Creating and submitting the XML sitemap
To create an XML sitemap in WordPress, we have two options: using plugins or doing it manually.

Plugins like Google XML Sitemaps or SEO suites like Yoast SEO automatically generate a sitemap for you.

Another option is to generate an XML sitemap through an online tool.

Simply enter your website URL and click the Generate button. A sitemap will be automatically created for you.


Creating and Submitting Your XML Sitemap
Source: XML Sitemaps

However, the free version has certain limitations. For example, it has a limit of 500 pages. Therefore, if you have more pages, you will have to pay for the premium version.

After generating your XML sitemap, submit it to Google Search Console.

#9. Protect your website with SSL
In today's digital world, website security is not just an option, it's a necessity.

A crucial aspect of this security is implementing SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates on your site. SSL certificates encrypt data transferred between your website and visitors, ensuring the security of sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers.

The impact of SSL on user trust
User trust plays a major role in the success of any online business. When visitors see that a site has an SSL certificate—indicated by —they know their information will be safe. This increased sense of security can translate into higher engagement rates, more conversions, and an overall better user experience.


Impact of SSL on User Trust
Source: Setupad

In addition to improving user trust, having an SSL certificate also positively influences SEO performance. Google has confirmed that HTTPS is used as a ranking signal in its search algorithm since 2014 .

Websites without encryption may even be marked as “Not Secure,” which could discourage potential customers from visiting or interacting with such sites.

Fortunately, many web hosts have taken the important step of offering free SSL certificates as a standard feature. This makes it easier than ever to provide the crucial layer of security your users need.