Your WordPress Theme is KILLING Your SEO!

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Rob
    I'm a great bowler.
    • Nov 2003
    • 13310

    #1

    Your WordPress Theme is KILLING Your SEO!

    Recently I started cheating by using WordPress themes. It saved hours of development time, and the sites look great. But for some reason, as much as I did to optimize them, they never ranked well. Every SEO report I ran ranked them extremely high, but they never reached better than page 3 or 4 in SERPS. Other pages that looked like shit, and not nearly as streamlined as mine were ranking much better. I was baffled. So I started to cross test sites on search engines, and my conclusion was that the themes I used ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED my SEO implementations. And you could be having the same problem.

    Especially if you're using Themeforest themes! - which are probably the most popular themes to use. They look great and they're super cheap @ $40 a pop. But are extremely bloated, and SUCK for SEO.

    There are a number of reasons, and for the sake of a shorter post, I won't go into great detail. But if you're using WordPress themes, do your research. Don't use a theme just because it looks nice, make sure it "works". Otherwise you'll have a great looking site that no one will ever see, much less find.

    Here are some great articles to read at your leisure. Most of us are developers and this is our living. I took the time to test and research this to help myself, but I wanted to post here to save everyone else the time and headaches. So if your WordPress site isn't ranking well, or it is losing ranking...look no further.

    I hope this help!

    Why I No Longer Use Themeforest

    10 WordPress SEO Questions That Took Me 10 Years To Answer!

    Best SEO Optimized WordPress Themes to Use
  • kane
    Too lazy to set a custom title
    • Aug 2001
    • 20684

    #2
    Nice post. Thanks

    Comment

    • Rob
      I'm a great bowler.
      • Nov 2003
      • 13310

      #3
      I found a great plugin that tests your theme for SEO compatibility. I ran it on a site that has been giving me SEO nightmares, and now I know why.



      Link to the plugin.

      https://wordpress.org/plugins/template-seo-checker/

      Comment

      • Kelli58
        Confirmed User
        • Aug 2006
        • 2260

        #4
        While themes are great in terms of making design easier, you can never fully trust them for SEO purposes.

        You almost always have to dig in there and customize shit on your own.
        💎 Earn Money by Helping Content Creators Earn More. 💎 The most unique affiliate program in the game. There are more than 1.5 million OnlyFans creators. Here's your chance to make money from them!

        Comment

        • MiamiBoyz
          fgfdftre6
          • Oct 2012
          • 6688

          #5
          Originally posted by Rob
          I found a great plugin that tests your theme for SEO compatibility. I ran it on a site that has been giving me SEO nightmares, and now I know why.



          Link to the plugin.

          https://wordpress.org/plugins/template-seo-checker/
          So you are recommending a plugin that is has NOT been updated for over 2 years AND is untested with the current version of WP...Good luck with that!

          Comment

          • Paul&John
            Confirmed User
            • Aug 2005
            • 8617

            #6
            Originally posted by Rob
            I found a great plugin that tests your theme for SEO compatibility. I ran it on a site that has been giving me SEO nightmares, and now I know why.



            Link to the plugin.

            https://wordpress.org/plugins/template-seo-checker/
            Love that report, first it says that you should put everything into css files, then it bashes you for using css files

            Also for speed Google (the mobile thingy mainly) recommends to put the important stuff into the HTML (js/css)
            Use coupon 'pauljohn' for a $1 discount at already super cheap NameSilo!
            Anal Webcams | Kinky Trans Cams Live | Hotwife XXX Tube | Get your Proxies here

            Comment

            • jiguideveloper
              Confirmed User
              • Oct 2014
              • 1101

              #7
              Nice post. Thanks
              .
              Our Services: Website Design | PSD to Responsive HTML5 | Logo Design | PHP/Custom Development | WordPress | E-commerce Development

              Website: https://adultdc.com | Contact on: [email protected] | ICQ: 676735786 | Follow us on Twitter

              Comment

              • MichaelMC
                Registered User
                • Oct 2015
                • 23

                #8
                Very good info. Thank you very much for the update
                Once you go BLACKED, you never go back

                Comment

                • JuicyBunny
                  So Fucking Banned
                  • Jun 2010
                  • 2145

                  #9
                  Thanks for the info, Rob. More of these threads. They're a good thing.

                  For SEO plug-ins I like Yoast the most.

                  Comment

                  • nico-t
                    emperor of my world
                    • Aug 2004
                    • 29901

                    #10
                    themeforest themes are a nightmare. You said it all in the OP. Bloated as fuck, slow as fuck, etc. Every themeforest theme i have worked with has these same issues. Simple, free themes are a breath of fresh air.

                    Comment

                    • j3rkules
                      VIP
                      • Jul 2013
                      • 22101

                      #11
                      Thanks for the report, I know many wordpress sites which ranks for the first page keywords...

                      Comment

                      • Andreweb
                        Confirmed User
                        • Mar 2013
                        • 2431

                        #12
                        I prefer to not use wordpress because they are not good for SEO !
                        Make Money With: Chaturbate
                        Cheap Reliable Hosting

                        Comment

                        • HowlingWulf
                          Confirmed User
                          • Nov 2001
                          • 1662

                          #13
                          Being a WordPress author does not mean they are automatically SEO experts too.
                          Some themes are good for SEO some are terrible - do your homework.
                          WP Porn directory/review theme Maddos $35.

                          webmaster AT howling-wulf.com

                          Comment

                          • Smart Fred
                            Confirmed User
                            • Mar 2008
                            • 308

                            #14
                            I've got a site with a cheap WP theme and it is ranked #2 on Google on a two words search with one of the word being "porn".

                            I hope it will help anybody expecting to purchase a cheap theme.
                            Stop doing what you like and start doing what brings you money!

                            Comment

                            • Colmike9
                              (>^_^)b
                              • Dec 2011
                              • 7217

                              #15
                              Some themes will have options to turn the built in SEO off, but if you keep it on and enable another SEO plugin on top of it, everything can get messed up..

                              Just look at the code and all options of themes that you use to be sure. I prefer a minimal theme to build on without extras, and avoid bloated themes like Suffusion unless you have time to go through every setting and know what you're doing.
                              Join the BEST cam affiliate program on the internet!
                              I've referred over $1.7mil in spending this past year, you should join in.
                              I make a lot more money in the medical field in a lab now, fuck you guys. Don't ask me to come back, but do join Chaturbate in my sig, it still makes bank without me touching shit for years..

                              Comment

                              • Colmike9
                                (>^_^)b
                                • Dec 2011
                                • 7217

                                #16
                                Originally posted by Smart Fred
                                I've got a site with a cheap WP theme and it is ranked #2 on Google on a two words search with one of the word being "porn".

                                I hope it will help anybody expecting to purchase a cheap theme.
                                Every theme is different, regardless of price for the most part..
                                Join the BEST cam affiliate program on the internet!
                                I've referred over $1.7mil in spending this past year, you should join in.
                                I make a lot more money in the medical field in a lab now, fuck you guys. Don't ask me to come back, but do join Chaturbate in my sig, it still makes bank without me touching shit for years..

                                Comment

                                • HowlingWulf
                                  Confirmed User
                                  • Nov 2001
                                  • 1662

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by Rob
                                  Plugin definitely has issues. Just tested it.

                                  Did not recognize Bootstrap theme as Responsive Ready 0/100
                                  No heading tags were found though there is plenty 0/100 perhaps it doesn't recognize css classes
                                  Title 70/100 no explanation. FAQ link dead.
                                  Get docked if I don't used CSS for print 0/100 what does that have to do with SEO?

                                  Author blog has no mention of this plugin anymore.
                                  WP Porn directory/review theme Maddos $35.

                                  webmaster AT howling-wulf.com

                                  Comment

                                  • NemesisEnforcer
                                    Confirmed User
                                    • Aug 2003
                                    • 2122

                                    #18
                                    Hmm, something to look into.
                                    The Only Time When Success Comes Before Work Is In A Dictionary.

                                    Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs.'

                                    Comment

                                    • blackmonsters
                                      Making PHP work
                                      • Nov 2002
                                      • 20993

                                      #19
                                      Originally posted by Paul&John
                                      Love that report, first it says that you should put everything into css files, then it bashes you for using css files

                                      Also for speed Google (the mobile thingy mainly) recommends to put the important stuff into the HTML (js/css)
                                      Read it again.

                                      It says "use css but make the number of css files less insane".

                                      Your neighbor will murder you with frogs
                                      Click here

                                      Comment

                                      • Rob
                                        I'm a great bowler.
                                        • Nov 2003
                                        • 13310

                                        #20
                                        I'm not the author of that plugin, and I'm not saying the results are 100% accurate. But it's a good reference source. I ran the plugin, printed the results, then deleted the plugin. No one was harmed and it gave me a good reference to start, or determine if I wanted to do a wholesale design change for a site. It confirmed something I already knew; the theme was fucking up my SEO strategy.

                                        If your only take-away from this thread is the fact that a plugin I found and posted is outdated and not supported, then I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention. I installed it and ran it without issues, so I really didn't look into the version compatibility.

                                        Comment

                                        • potter
                                          Confirmed User
                                          • Dec 2004
                                          • 6559

                                          #21
                                          Why would you use a WP plugin and not just test directly through Google and the other systems out there?

                                          Comment

                                          • 8pt-buck
                                            So Fucking Banned
                                            • Aug 2013
                                            • 4011

                                            #22
                                            Thanks a lot Rob.

                                            Comment

                                            • amvcdotcom
                                              i like kitties.
                                              • Jan 2004
                                              • 886

                                              #23
                                              What about the themes that come out of the can when opening a fresh install?
                                              Email only: allen at/ amvc dotcom

                                              Comment

                                              • AmeliaG
                                                Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                • Jan 2003
                                                • 10664

                                                #24
                                                Originally posted by Rob
                                                I found a great plugin that tests your theme for SEO compatibility. I ran it on a site that has been giving me SEO nightmares, and now I know why.



                                                Link to the plugin.

                                                https://wordpress.org/plugins/template-seo-checker/
                                                Love the wording on that plug-in. You almost expect it to start swearing at you.
                                                GFY Hall of Famer

                                                AltStar Hall of Famer




                                                Blue Blood's SpookyCash.com

                                                Babe photography portfolio

                                                Comment

                                                • bns666
                                                  Confirmed Fetishist
                                                  • Mar 2005
                                                  • 11549

                                                  #25
                                                  Originally posted by Colmike7
                                                  Some themes will have options to turn the built in SEO off, but if you keep it on and enable another SEO plugin on top of it, everything can get messed up..

                                                  Just look at the code and all options of themes that you use to be sure. I prefer a minimal theme to build on without extras, and avoid bloated themes like Suffusion unless you have time to go through every setting and know what you're doing.
                                                  agreed
                                                  CAM SODASTRIPCHAT
                                                  CHATURBATEX LOVE CAM

                                                  Comment

                                                  • Rob
                                                    I'm a great bowler.
                                                    • Nov 2003
                                                    • 13310

                                                    #26
                                                    Originally posted by amvcdotcom
                                                    What about the themes that come out of the can when opening a fresh install?
                                                    I'm working on that. I did a fresh install and using the standard default theme to build on. I'll let you know the results when I start recording them.

                                                    Comment

                                                    • Craft
                                                      Confirmed User
                                                      • Oct 2015
                                                      • 169

                                                      #27
                                                      When you buy a theme it does not mean you bought it from a SEO expert.

                                                      It's just a website FIX and optimice it.

                                                      Onpage SEO....Not that hard.

                                                      Comment

                                                      • Martin
                                                        "Assassins"
                                                        • Dec 2001
                                                        • 17274

                                                        #28
                                                        Any thoughts on WordPress Themes & Website Templates by Gorilla Themes Plan on using the automotive theme for advertising my car lot and want to focus on getting it high on the SE's.

                                                        Comment

                                                        • xxxjay
                                                          Tube groupie.
                                                          • Aug 2002
                                                          • 13482

                                                          #29
                                                          Originally posted by bns666
                                                          agreed
                                                          Some of my best ranking stuff I use NO SEO plugin
                                                          http://donttellmehowtoruinmylife.com/ - http://www.jmdigitalmarketing.com/my...s-and-reviews/ - http://www.wouldyouhitit.org - http://shinyobjectreviews.com/

                                                          Comment

                                                          • anexsia
                                                            Confirmed User
                                                            • May 2010
                                                            • 5735

                                                            #30
                                                            Originally posted by amvcdotcom
                                                            What about the themes that come out of the can when opening a fresh install?
                                                            Themes by Automattic (company behind Wordpress) are generally really nice.

                                                            Comment

                                                            • mopek1
                                                              Confirmed User
                                                              • Jun 2004
                                                              • 3201

                                                              #31
                                                              Originally posted by nico-t
                                                              themeforest themes are a nightmare. ... Bloated as fuck, slow as fuck, etc.
                                                              That's been my experience also.

                                                              Comment

                                                              • nightslit
                                                                Confirmed User
                                                                • Oct 2013
                                                                • 226

                                                                #32
                                                                How to control my SEO if I have a self-made template?
                                                                email: [email protected] email me for link trades/hardlink exchanges
                                                                ICQ : 665974711
                                                                my sites: http://hardcoreteenfuck.com

                                                                Comment

                                                                • Colmike9
                                                                  (>^_^)b
                                                                  • Dec 2011
                                                                  • 7217

                                                                  #33
                                                                  Originally posted by nightslit
                                                                  How to control my SEO if I have a self-made template?
                                                                  Normally..
                                                                  Join the BEST cam affiliate program on the internet!
                                                                  I've referred over $1.7mil in spending this past year, you should join in.
                                                                  I make a lot more money in the medical field in a lab now, fuck you guys. Don't ask me to come back, but do join Chaturbate in my sig, it still makes bank without me touching shit for years..

                                                                  Comment

                                                                  • mopek1
                                                                    Confirmed User
                                                                    • Jun 2004
                                                                    • 3201

                                                                    #34
                                                                    Originally posted by nico-t
                                                                    Simple, free themes are a breath of fresh air.
                                                                    Any recommendations?

                                                                    Comment

                                                                    • brassmonkey
                                                                      Pay It Forward
                                                                      • Sep 2005
                                                                      • 77385

                                                                      #35
                                                                      you can fix all that shit yourself. took me 1 day and i just reuse the theme change css and logo bam!
                                                                      TRUMP 2026 KEKAW!!! - The Laken Riley Act Is Law!
                                                                      DACA ENDED - SUPPORT AZ HCR 2060 52R - email: brassballz-at-techie.com

                                                                      Comment

                                                                      • Austin - MrSkinCash
                                                                        Confirmed User
                                                                        • Jul 2015
                                                                        • 474

                                                                        #36
                                                                        Originally posted by brassmonkey
                                                                        you can fix all that shit yourself. took me 1 day and i just reuse the theme change css and logo bam!
                                                                        Agreed. All it takes is a little time to get the site working fine.
                                                                        Austin Fiascone
                                                                        Business Development
                                                                        SK Intertainment Inc.
                                                                        [email protected]
                                                                        skype: afiasc1

                                                                        Comment

                                                                        • TheSenator
                                                                          Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                          • Feb 2003
                                                                          • 13330

                                                                          #37
                                                                          5000.00 for mainstream site using a Themeforest theme. Another 500 to 800 a month for SEO. Another 500 to 800 for social media and content marketing... Another 50 a month for hosting and maintenance...

                                                                          and another one...
                                                                          ISeekGirls.com since 2005

                                                                          Comment

                                                                          • HeadPimp
                                                                            Bad Mo-Fo
                                                                            • Jul 2001
                                                                            • 2772

                                                                            #38
                                                                            Great advice! Lots of template designers can make a beautiful theme, but not all of them can set it up to rank well.

                                                                            Comment

                                                                            • Coup
                                                                              🚨 PBBC International 🚨
                                                                              • Apr 2010
                                                                              • 9931

                                                                              #39
                                                                              Originally posted by brassmonkey
                                                                              you can fix all that shit yourself. took me 1 day and i just reuse the theme change css and logo bam!
                                                                              Having webmaster skills is haram

                                                                              Comment

                                                                              • CustomBusinessSoftware
                                                                                Confirmed User
                                                                                • Nov 2012
                                                                                • 683

                                                                                #40
                                                                                thx for sharing
                                                                                Grow Your Onlyfans @10 usd per day TG @bonsaiplantsnursery

                                                                                Comment

                                                                                • mopek1
                                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                                  • Jun 2004
                                                                                  • 3201

                                                                                  #41
                                                                                  Originally posted by TheSenator
                                                                                  5000.00 for mainstream site using a Themeforest theme. Another 500 to 800 a month for SEO. Another 500 to 800 for social media and content marketing... Another 50 a month for hosting and maintenance...

                                                                                  and another one...
                                                                                  Is that what you do? Buy mainstream sites for $5000 and then pay monthly marketing fees?

                                                                                  Comment

                                                                                  • mce
                                                                                    Confirmed User
                                                                                    • Jun 2012
                                                                                    • 3915

                                                                                    #42
                                                                                    This is scary

                                                                                    Pay Virtual Assistants Based on RESULTS instead of TIME
                                                                                    STOP getting FUCKED IN THE ASS by your VA

                                                                                    Comment

                                                                                    • mineistaken
                                                                                      See signature :)
                                                                                      • Apr 2007
                                                                                      • 29656

                                                                                      #43
                                                                                      Originally posted by TheSenator
                                                                                      5000.00 for mainstream site using a Themeforest theme. Another 500 to 800 a month for SEO. Another 500 to 800 for social media and content marketing... Another 50 a month for hosting and maintenance...

                                                                                      and another one...
                                                                                      Your business model?

                                                                                      Comment

                                                                                      • TheSenator
                                                                                        Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                        • Feb 2003
                                                                                        • 13330

                                                                                        #44
                                                                                        Originally posted by mineistaken
                                                                                        Your business model?
                                                                                        Yes.. that is the business model currently... I average about two to three sites a month.
                                                                                        ISeekGirls.com since 2005

                                                                                        Comment

                                                                                        • mopek1
                                                                                          Confirmed User
                                                                                          • Jun 2004
                                                                                          • 3201

                                                                                          #45
                                                                                          Originally posted by TheSenator
                                                                                          Yes.. that is the business model currently... I average about two to three sites a month.
                                                                                          How do you choose what site to buy for $5000?

                                                                                          How can you be sure of the income and can't you just make one yourself after you have had a few already?

                                                                                          Comment

                                                                                          • TheSenator
                                                                                            Too lazy to set a custom title
                                                                                            • Feb 2003
                                                                                            • 13330

                                                                                            #46
                                                                                            Originally posted by mopek1
                                                                                            How do you choose what site to buy for $5000?

                                                                                            How can you be sure of the income and can't you just make one yourself after you have had a few already?
                                                                                            I don't buy sites...My company charges for web design and development services.
                                                                                            ISeekGirls.com since 2005

                                                                                            Comment

                                                                                            • mopek1
                                                                                              Confirmed User
                                                                                              • Jun 2004
                                                                                              • 3201

                                                                                              #47
                                                                                              Originally posted by TheSenator
                                                                                              I don't buy sites...My company charges for web design and development services.
                                                                                              LOL ... I should have read your sig.


                                                                                              That's good monthly income charging $1000-$1600/month for SEO and Social Media promo.

                                                                                              Comment

                                                                                              • mopek1
                                                                                                Confirmed User
                                                                                                • Jun 2004
                                                                                                • 3201

                                                                                                #48
                                                                                                Originally posted by TheSenator
                                                                                                I don't buy sites...My company charges for web design and development services.
                                                                                                BTW, can you recommend any good wordpress themes that are visually appealing but not bloated and load lightening quick?

                                                                                                Comment

                                                                                                • BoomBoomBenoit
                                                                                                  Confirmed User
                                                                                                  • Jan 2003
                                                                                                  • 204

                                                                                                  #49
                                                                                                  Wordpress is an awesome CMS with a ton of great plugins. We recommend using wordpress for our clients and then do a full SEO audit before making the site live.

                                                                                                  There are plugins for SEO (someone mentioned yoast) but if you're serious about SEO you really need to know/research what the best ways to optimize are. Yoast, for example, doesn't set meta keywords on your homepage. The meta keywords may play less of a role with Google today but they still contribute to your keyword density and the other meta crawler search engines depend on them. I've never understood firms that only optimize for Google. They're definitely king but a couple of small additions will help in the other engines as well.

                                                                                                  Wordpress is a great CMS, you still need great optimization to audit it once it's got the themes and plugins setup to ensure you're maximizing your search presence
                                                                                                  skype: boomboombenoit

                                                                                                  Comment

                                                                                                  • muthisdev
                                                                                                    Confirmed User
                                                                                                    • Jan 2016
                                                                                                    • 300

                                                                                                    #50
                                                                                                    Originally posted by Rob
                                                                                                    I found a great plugin that tests your theme for SEO compatibility. I ran it on a site that has been giving me SEO nightmares, and now I know why.

                                                                                                    Link to the plugin.

                                                                                                    WordPress ? Template SEO Checker « WordPress Plugins
                                                                                                    Any recommendations on something like this that works on any template?
                                                                                                    <?= base64_decode("aHR0cDovL211dGhpc2Rldi5jb20v") ?>

                                                                                                    Comment

                                                                                                    Working...