In short, it typically depends on the current stat of your website. Overall, it is generally recommended to have a well-designed and technically optimized website before starting SEO efforts. Here are a few reasons why updating your website before implementing SEO is beneficial:
Technical Optimization: SEO involves various technical aspects, such as website speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability, and indexability. Ensuring that your website is technically optimized makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index your pages, resulting in better visibility in search results.
User Experience: User experience is an important factor for both SEO and website visitors. A user-friendly website with intuitive navigation, clear structure, and fast loading times enhances the user experience and encourages visitors to engage with your content and stay longer. This can reduce bounce rates and improve SEO performance.
Content Organization: Before implementing SEO, it's helpful to organize your website's content in a logical and structured manner. This makes it easier for search engines and users to understand the purpose and relevance of each page. Well-organized content with appropriate headings, subheadings, and clear topic hierarchy can positively impact SEO efforts.
Mobile Optimization: With the increasing use of mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial. Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their rankings, and a responsive design ensures a seamless user experience across different devices. Updating your website to be mobile-friendly can significantly benefit both SEO and user engagement.
Indexing and Crawling: By ensuring your website is technically optimized and free of any technical issues, you can help search engine bots crawl and index your pages more efficiently. This includes eliminating broken links, fixing redirects, and resolving any other technical issues that may hinder search engine access to your website.
Site Structure and Navigation: A clear and logical site structure and navigation system make it easier for both users and search engines to navigate your website. Implementing an organized site structure with appropriate categories, menus, and internal linking can improve the overall user experience and help search engines understand the relationship between your website's pages.
While it is possible to update your website during or after implementing SEO, addressing these aspects beforehand can provide a solid foundation for your SEO efforts and improve the overall effectiveness of your optimization strategies. It's important to note that SEO is an ongoing process, and continuous updates and improvements to your website will be necessary as search engine algorithms and user expectations evolve.