Have you ever wondered about the SEO pitfalls associated with popular Content Management Systems (CMS) platforms like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and Shopify? Alexandre Hoffmann, Managing Partner at Passion Digital examines each CMS platform’s SEO pitfalls so you’ll know exactly what to do when selecting your preferred CMS.
The hidden challenges of WordPress
WordPress is undeniably one of the most popular CMS’ due to its ease of use and robust ecosystem of plugins and themes. But as the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Here are the major SEO pitfalls one might face with WordPress:
Plugin overload
The wide array of plugins available for WordPress is both a blessing and a curse, however, installing too many plugins can lead to the following:
- Page speed issues: Each plugin adds its own scripts and styles, which can slow down your site
- Security risks: Not all plugins are regularly updated or secure. Vulnerable plugins can be an entry point for hackers
- Compatibility issues: Plugins may not always work well with each other or with your theme, leading to errors and site crashes
Duplicate content
WordPress can sometimes create duplicate content through:
- Taxonomies: Categories and tags can generate multiple URLs for the same content
- Archives: Author, date-based and pagination archives can create duplicate pages
- Short URLs: Multiple URL formats (e.g., /post-name/, /category/post-name/) can exist for the same post
Default settings
WordPress out of the box, isn’t optimised for SEO. Default settings like:
- Permalink structure: The default permalink format (?p=123) is not SEO-friendly
- Comment spam: WordPress’ native comment system can be a magnet for spam, affecting the site’s overall quality
Over-reliance on themes
Many WordPress themes are not built with SEO in mind. They can:
- Include excessive code: Some themes have unnecessary CSS and JavaScript, which slow down the website
- Have hidden links and ads: Poorly coded themes might contain hidden links and ads, hurting SEO
Joomla SEO pitfalls
Joomla is a powerful CMS known for its flexibility and extensive features. However, it comes with its own set of SEO challenges:
Complex URL structures
Joomla’s default URL structure is not SEO-friendly.
URLs often look like:
- Non-intuitive: URLs like index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1
- Duplicate URLs: Multiple paths to the same content can easily occur
Limited plugin ecosystem
Compared to WordPress, Joomla has:
- Fewer SEO plugins: Limited options for powerful SEO plugins such as Yoast
- Not user-friendly: The available extensions are not always intuitive and may require a learning curve
Template issues
Joomla’s template system can cause SEO issues:
- Heavy code: Many templates are not optimised for speed, which can hurt mobile rankings
- Limited updates: Some templates are seldom updated, leading to compatibility issues with Joomla’s core updates
Content management complexity
Managing content in Joomla can be a bit tricky:
- Nested structures: The complex hierarchy can lead to poor content organisation
- Metadata management: Managing meta descriptions and keywords for large sites can be laborious and prone to errors
What you need to know about Drupal
Drupal is known for its scalability and robustness, making it popular among developers. However, it’s not without SEO pitfalls:
Steep learning curve
Drupal is not as user-friendly as WordPress or other CMS platforms:
- Technical expertise required: Effective use demands a fair amount of technical knowledge
- Complex administration: The backend can be overwhelming for non-developers
Module dependency
Just like WordPress plugins, Drupal relies on modules for functionality:
- Performance issues: Poorly coded modules can slow down your site
- Compatibility concerns: Modules may not always play well together, leading to site instability
URL management
Drupal’s URL management can be challenging:
- Pathauto issues: While Pathauto is great for clean URLs, it requires proper setup and maintenance
- Duplicate content: Like Joomla, multiple URLs can lead to duplicate content issues
Theme limitations
Drupal’s theme system, while flexible, can pose problems:
- Complex customisation: Customising themes often requires a deeper understanding of coding
- Speed concerns: Heavy themes can impact load times, negatively affecting SEO
Shopify e-commerce specific hurdles
Shopify is a go-to platform for e-commerce businesses, praised for its ease of use, integrated solutions and offers features that streamline SEO. However, it has its SEO drawbacks:
Limited customisation
Shopify, being a hosted platform, has limitations:
- Restricted access: Limited control over the site’s back end means confined SEO tweaks
- Locked-in features: Some built-in features can’t be modified, restricting on-page SEO improvements
URL structure limitations
Shopify’s URL structure is fixed and not always SEO-friendly:
- Suboptimal paths: Every page type has a default prefix (e.g., /collections/, /products/) that can’t be changed
- Duplication issues: Shopify tends to create duplicate content pages, especially with product variants. We have a blog post about fixing collection duplication, which can be found here
Dependence on apps
Shopify’s reliance on apps for added functionality can be problematic:
- App bloat: Too many apps can slow down the site, affecting page speed and user experience
- Costly: Many useful SEO apps come with a price tag, adding to the running costs of your store
Content issues
Shopify is tailored for commerce, not content:
- Blogging limitations: The blogging platform is less sophisticated than those in WordPress
- Dynamic content: Managing extensive product descriptions and unique content can be time-consuming
Optimising your CMS for SEO: Key takeaways
WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and Shopify each have strengths and weaknesses. Still, with careful management and optimisation, you can leverage their capabilities to make informed decisions, optimise accordingly and enhance your site’s SEO performance.
Whether you’re drawn by WordPress’s user-friendliness, Joomla’s flexibility, Drupal’s robustness or Shopify’s e-commerce prowess, understanding the specific challenges of each platform can help you navigate the complexities of SEO more effectively.
As an SEO agency, we understand that SEO is constantly evolving. Staying updated and adapting your strategy based on the unique needs of your chosen CMS is vital, but we know this can be overwhelming if it’s not your area of expertise.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned webmaster, keeping these points in mind will guide you to better search engine rankings and a more robust online presence.
Be proactive about SEO, regardless of the CMS you choose – your web traffic will thank you.
Get in touch with us if you’d like us to take a look at your CMS and help optimise your organic strategy. We’re here to ensure your site performs at its best.