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SEO Guidance

Set up crawl access, metadata, content structure, links, structured data, and measurement for a Pagesmith site.

Pagesmith provides technical controls for search, but no builder can guarantee indexing or rankings. Use this guide to prepare the site for crawling, explain each page clearly, and measure what happens after publication.

What Pagesmith Provides

Depending on the project and plan, Pagesmith can provide:

  • HTML output with the main page content
  • Page titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, and social metadata
  • Sitemap and robots controls
  • Structured-data fields or generated markup
  • Redirects and site audits
  • Search Console and analytics workflows

You are responsible for accurate content, internal links, accessibility, legal requirements, migration checks, and ongoing maintenance.

Before Publishing

For each indexable page, check:

  • The page has one clear purpose.
  • The title and main heading describe the page accurately.
  • Important information is visible as text, not only inside an image or animation.
  • Navigation and contextual links make the page reachable.
  • Images have suitable alternative text.
  • Canonical and language settings match the intended URL.
  • The page works on mobile and does not block essential content behind an error.

Page Titles

Write a distinct title for each important page. Put the useful description before the brand when that reads naturally.

Examples:

Remote Work Planning Guide | FocusFlow
FocusFlow Pricing and Plan Comparison

Avoid repeating the same title across many pages. Search engines may display a different title when another description better fits the query.

Meta Descriptions

A meta description summarizes the page. Search engines may use it as a result snippet, but they can also choose text from the page.

Write a concise and accurate description. Do not add claims, statistics, or offers that the page cannot support.

<meta
  name="description"
  content="Compare FocusFlow plans, included features, and billing options."
>

Headings and Page Structure

Use headings to describe the hierarchy of the content:

h1: Main page topic
  h2: Major section
    h3: Subsection

The exact number of headings depends on the content. Do not add headings only to place keywords.

Search engines and visitors use links to discover pages and understand relationships.

  • Link to important pages from navigation or relevant content.
  • Use anchor text that describes the destination.
  • Fix broken internal links.
  • Avoid creating many near-duplicate pages with no distinct purpose.
  • Keep important pages within a clear site structure.
Read the [time-blocking guide](/guides/time-blocking/).

Images

Use alternative text based on the image’s purpose:

<!-- Informative image -->
<img src="dashboard.webp" alt="FocusFlow weekly planning dashboard">

<!-- Decorative image -->
<img src="background-shape.svg" alt="">

Use descriptive file names when practical. Set image dimensions to reduce layout shifts, and choose a source large enough for its display size.

Canonical URLs

A canonical link indicates the preferred URL for substantially similar pages:

<link rel="canonical" href="https://example.com/pricing">

Check canonical URLs after changing domains, URL formats, or trailing-slash settings. A canonical is a hint, not a command.

Structured Data

Structured data describes visible page content in a machine-readable form. Use a supported schema type only when the page contains the corresponding information.

For example, an article can identify its headline, author, and publication date. A local business can identify its name, address, and contact information.

Valid markup can make a page eligible for a supported search feature. It does not guarantee that the feature will appear. Google does not require special structured data for its generative AI search features.

Test the published markup and keep it consistent with visible content.

Sitemap and Robots Settings

A sitemap lists canonical URLs you want search engines to discover. It does not force indexing.

robots.txt controls crawler access. Do not block a page in robots.txt when you need a crawler to read a noindex instruction on that page.

After publishing:

  1. Open the live sitemap and check several URLs.
  2. Confirm important pages return successful HTTP responses.
  3. Check that preview, account, or private routes are handled as intended.
  4. Submit the sitemap in the relevant search-engine tools.

Site Migrations

When replacing an existing site:

  1. Record the current URLs and their purpose.
  2. Map each old URL to the closest useful new URL.
  3. Add permanent redirects where a URL changed.
  4. Preserve important titles, content, internal links, and structured information when they remain accurate.
  5. Test redirects, canonicals, sitemaps, forms, and analytics before switching the domain.
  6. Monitor crawl and indexing reports after launch.

An import or redesign cannot preserve rankings by itself.

Measurement

Use Google Search Console or the equivalent tool for your target search engine to check:

  • Crawling and indexing status
  • Submitted sitemap status
  • Search queries and landing pages
  • Manual actions or security issues
  • Core Web Vitals field data when available

Analytics can show visits and on-site actions. Search Console and analytics count different events, so their totals may not match.

Common Problems

A page is not indexed

Check its HTTP status, canonical URL, robots settings, noindex directives, internal links, sitemap entry, and content. Even a technically valid page may remain unindexed.

Search results show different text

Search engines can rewrite titles and snippets. Make the visible heading, title, and description accurate and consistent.

A rich result does not appear

Validate the structured data and check whether the feature supports that page and market. Eligibility does not guarantee display.

Traffic changed after a redesign

Compare old and new URLs, redirects, content, canonicals, internal links, page availability, and tracking. Allow for normal search volatility and investigate with actual data.