On-page vs Technical: what matters first
Prioritization for faster, safer impact.
Understanding the sequence
Every SEO project has many moving parts, but they don't all carry the same weight.
Some tasks build the foundation; others drive performance.
Understanding this hierarchy helps you avoid costly mistakes.
1) On-page: establish clarity first
What we check:
- Is there one clear main topic?
- Does the H1 explain exactly what the page covers?
- Do the H2/H3 headings follow a logical structure?
- Does the copy answer specific user questions?
- Can the user understand the page within the first seconds?
- Clear title hierarchy
- Direct, clean copy
- Sections with a purpose
- Internal links that guide the user
"Clear messaging multiplies the impact of every optimization that follows"
2) Technical: ensure proper functioning
What we check:
- Does the page load fast?
- Is the mobile experience solid?
- Are there issues with redirects or canonicals?
- Can Google crawl the site without friction?
- Is the HTML clean or weighed down by unnecessary layers?
- Speed (images, scripts, caching)
- Mobile-first layout
- Correct canonical signals
- Clear indexation rules
- Schema where it genuinely helps understanding
"Technical issues create friction before the content even has a chance."
3) How the priority is decided
- New website → On-page → Content → Technical refinement
- Slow website → Technical → Then On-page
- Content-heavy site with weak performance → On-page cleanup → Content
- Unexpected organic traffic drop → Technical audit → On-page optimization
"The right sequence saves time and increases impact."
Bottom Line:
On-page explains what the page is about.
Technical ensures the page works properly.
You prioritize based on what affects the user experience the most right now ΓÇö clarity or speed/stability.