Last Updated on February 21, 2023
09 min read
Your website will receive more traffic as a result of its higher ranking, which will ultimately increase the likelihood that leads will be converted. React JS should be at the top of the list when discussing the best JavaScript libraries that make it possible for your website to be SEO-friendly. Today, we’ll dispel the myth that React is an ineffective JavaScript library for SEO, which many developers and clients hold.
In this article, we’ll discuss the main arguments for usingReact JS, the difficulties in building a React SEO website, and the best solutions to those problems so that it’s search engine friendly.
A web app implementation known as a single-page application (SPA) is more responsive because it loads through just one HTML page. When new content has to be executed, the page uses JavaScript APIs like XMLHttpRequest and Fetch to update the body content of that single document.
Due to their responsiveness and user-friendly flow, single-page applications now make up the majority of websites being developed. But optimizing these largely one-page websites for search engines can be a difficult undertaking. But leveraging the top JavaScript front-end frameworks, such as Angular, ReactJS, and Vue, makes things much simpler.
React will be the topic of discussion in this article among these well-known frameworks. Let’s start out by listing some of the best reasons to select React JS.
The most frequent issues that arise when indexing JavaScript pages are listed below. Learn more about it now:
Google bots scan HTML pages quite quickly. To demonstrate how HTML and JavaScript pages are indexed, respectively:
As a result, indexing JavaScript pages becomes a difficult operation. This is how it works for HTML web pages and JavaScript web sites. These five processes must be successfully completed before JavaScript pages can be properly indexed, which typically takes more time than indexing HTML sites.
One page at a time presentation is the idea behind a single-page application. When necessary, the remaining information is loaded. As a result, you can browse the entire website on a single tab and then proceed to go through each page individually.
In comparison to traditional multi-page apps, this idea is completely the opposite. Users get a seamless experience with SPAs since they are quicker and more responsive.
But when it comes to SEO for single-page applications, a problem appears. For Google bots, single-page applications typically take some time to reflect the content; if the bot is crawling the pages but doesn’t see the content, it will assume it is empty. The ranking of your website or web application will suffer if the material is not accessible to Google bots.
Google bots crawl HTML and JavaScript web pages in distinctly different ways, as was previously mentioned. JavaScript has a single bug that can prevent page crawling entirely.
This is so because the JavaScript parser will not tolerate even the slightest error. It stops processing the current script and treats Syntax Error if both the parser and the character unite at an unexpected place.
Therefore, a small typo or error can render the entire script useless. The Google bot will index it as a page without content if the script contains a bug that prevents the bot from seeing the content.
React SEO can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can lead to great results and a high Google ranking. The following are some common issues that arise:
JavaScript loading and parsing takes extra time, which may cause users to wait for the requested information as JavaScript needs to make network calls to execute the content. This can result in a lower Google ranking as the longer the users have to wait for the content on the page.
A sitemap is a document that lists all the details for each page on a website, as well as the links that connect them, making it easier for search engines like Google to crawl the pages efficiently. React’s built-in framework does not support sitemap creation, and while some programmers can create sitemaps using React Router, it can be time-consuming.
Single-page applications (SPAs) with dynamically created content provide a smooth user experience as all the information is displayed on a single page. However, when crawlers click on the SPA link, the metadata is not immediately updated for SEO purposes, causing search engines to see the page as empty. Developers can resolve this issue by creating separate pages for Google bots, but this can add costs and may impact the ranking process.
Here are two methods that will help your React JS website rank higher on search engines and reach your target audience:
Both server-side and client-side applications can use isomorphic React applications. You can work with a React JS application and fetch the rendered HTML file, which is usually rendered by the browser, using isomorphic JavaScript. This HTML page is run by Google bots and anyone searching for the specific app.
The program can use this HTML file and still function the same on the browser for client-side scripting. If needed, data is added through JavaScript, but the isomorphic app still retains its dynamic nature. The code is rendered on the server even when JavaScript is not running, allowing the browser to access all meta data and text in the HTML and CSS files.
However, creating real-time isomorphic applications can be a difficult and complex task. But these two frameworks, Next.js and Gatsby, can speed up and simplify the process.
Server-side rendering is the best strategy to increase the page’s ranking in search results if you’ve chosen to use a single-page application. Sites that are rendered on the server are simple for Google bots to index and rank, and Next.js is the best option for implementing it for server-side rendering in React.
Next.js is a server that transforms JavaScript files into HTML and CSS files, allowing Google bots to retrieve the information and display it on search engine results pages. This satisfies the client’s request.
Pre-rendering is a technique for increasing the visibility and ranking of your web applications. Search engine crawlers and bots are detected by pre-renderers, and if they are found, a cached static HTML version of the website is offered. The user will load the standard page if they send a request.
The process of pre-rendering retrieves HTML pages from the server. With Headless Chrome, all HTML pages are uploaded in advance and cached, making the process for developers seamless and simple. Developers don’t need to make any changes to the current codebase or make only minor modifications if required.
Pre-renderers can convert any JavaScript code into simple HTML, but they might not function well if the data is constantly changing.
Although either solution can be beneficial, it’s important to determine which one is best for your business.
To ensure that Google can effectively crawl your website, it’s recommended to use server-side rendering in either dynamic or static web apps instead of single-page apps (SPAs). The choice between a dynamic or static website depends on the type of content you want to showcase. For example, if each page of your website offers unique value to the user, a dynamic website might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you want to promote landing pages, a static website may be a better option.
Google bots treat pages with different capitalization in the URL (such as “/Invision” and “/invision”) as separate pages. To avoid this issue, it’s best to use lowercase letters in your URLs.
Pages with data issues display a 404 error code, which can negatively impact the user experience. To improve the traffic to your website, make sure to configure your server.js and route.js files promptly.
Google bots typically ignore anything after the hash symbol in URLs, so it’s best to avoid using hashed URLs in your React website. Instead, use a simple https://domain.com/ structure for your URLs.
It’s common for single-page apps to make the mistake of using a div or button to modify the URL instead of using a href>. This results in Google bots not being able to crawl the URLs and pass PageRank because the a href> element is missing. To allow Google bots to see, fetch, and crawl through other pages, make sure to define links using a href>.
Discover the top React SEO optimization solutions that make SEO and development more simple:
With the help of the library React Helmet, you can easily interact with Google bots and social media crawlers. It adds meta tags to your React pages so that your web app can provide the crawlers with additional crucial information.
React SPAs are the issue with optimizing React web apps. Applications with only one page are a tremendous source of user convenience. However, by incorporating specific SEO guidelines and aspects into your pages, you may really leverage the SPA architecture.
Therefore, we should use React Router hooks to generate URLs that open in distinct pages.
Many developers and techies out there don’t really understand what React SEO is. Creating an SEO-friendly React website is a difficult and tough process. However, logical procedures and practical solutions to problems can make React SEO an exciting endeavor.
However, having a team of knowledgeableReact Developerson your side can help you avoid all the finicky jobs because they can take care of your technical needs and boost your website’s position in search results
If you’re concerned about the rating of your React JS-built website, let us handle it for you to boost your rankings.
