Your WordPress Theme is KILLING Your SEO! - GoFuckYourself.com

Rob · 11-13-2015, 09:50 PM

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 · 11-13-2015, 11:29 PM

Nice post. Thanks

Rob · 11-14-2015, 12:29 AM

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/

Kelli58 · 11-14-2015, 01:06 AM

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.

MiamiBoyz · 11-14-2015, 02:02 AM

Quote:

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!

Paul&John · 11-14-2015, 02:15 AM

Quote:

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)

jiguideveloper · 11-14-2015, 02:26 AM

Nice post. Thanks

MichaelMC · 11-14-2015, 05:44 AM

Very good info. Thank you very much for the update

JuicyBunny · 11-14-2015, 05:51 AM

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

For SEO plug-ins I like Yoast the most.

nico-t · 11-14-2015, 06:15 AM

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.

j3rkules · 11-14-2015, 06:18 AM

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

Andreweb · 11-14-2015, 06:59 AM

I prefer to not use wordpress because they are not good for SEO !

HowlingWulf · 11-14-2015, 07:38 AM

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.

Smart Fred · 11-14-2015, 07:58 AM

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.

Colmike9 · 11-14-2015, 08:00 AM

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.

Colmike9 · 11-14-2015, 08:01 AM

Quote:

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..

HowlingWulf · 11-14-2015, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Link to the plugin.

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

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.

NemesisEnforcer · 11-14-2015, 08:34 AM

Hmm, something to look into.

blackmonsters · 11-14-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

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".

Rob · 11-14-2015, 08:41 AM

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.

potter · 11-14-2015, 08:54 AM

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

8pt-buck · 11-14-2015, 09:36 AM

Thanks a lot Rob.

amvcdotcom · 11-14-2015, 10:26 PM

What about the themes that come out of the can when opening a fresh install?

AmeliaG · 11-14-2015, 10:41 PM

Quote:

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.

bns666 · 11-14-2015, 10:41 PM

Quote:

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

Rob · 11-14-2015, 10:56 PM

Quote:

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.

Craft · 11-15-2015, 04:28 AM

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.

Martin · 11-15-2015, 07:19 PM

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.

xxxjay · 11-15-2015, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bns666

agreed

Some of my best ranking stuff I use NO SEO plugin

anexsia · 11-15-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

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.

mopek1 · 11-16-2015, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nico-t

themeforest themes are a nightmare. ... Bloated as fuck, slow as fuck, etc.

That's been my experience also.

nightslit · 11-16-2015, 05:15 AM

How to control my SEO if I have a self-made template?

Colmike9 · 11-16-2015, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightslit

How to control my SEO if I have a self-made template?

Normally..

mopek1 · 11-16-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nico-t

Simple, free themes are a breath of fresh air.

Any recommendations?

brassmonkey · 11-16-2015, 09:13 AM

you can fix all that shit yourself. took me 1 day and i just reuse the theme change css and logo bam!

Austin - MrSkinCash · 11-16-2015, 09:17 AM

Quote:

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.

TheSenator · 01-18-2016, 11:18 AM

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...

HeadPimp · 01-18-2016, 11:27 AM

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

Coup · 01-18-2016, 12:02 PM

Quote:

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

CustomBusinessSoftware · 01-18-2016, 02:40 PM

thx for sharing

mopek1 · 01-18-2016, 05:44 PM

Quote:

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?

mce · 01-18-2016, 05:46 PM

This is scary

mineistaken · 01-18-2016, 05:48 PM

Quote:

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?

TheSenator · 01-19-2016, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mineistaken

Your business model?

Yes.. that is the business model currently... I average about two to three sites a month.

mopek1 · 01-19-2016, 01:26 PM

Quote:

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?

TheSenator · 01-19-2016, 01:37 PM

Quote:

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.

mopek1 · 01-19-2016, 05:55 PM

Quote:

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.

mopek1 · 01-20-2016, 06:53 AM

Quote:

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?

BoomBoomBenoit · 01-20-2016, 09:04 AM

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

muthisdev · 01-20-2016, 11:31 AM

Quote:

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?

11-13-2015, 09:50 PM	#1
Rob I'm a great bowler. Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Right Outside of Normal. Posts: 13,310	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

11-14-2015, 01:06 AM	#4
Kelli58 Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,955	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. __________________ All New Caption Queen Affiliate Program! ★ If you aren't making money with AI what the fuck are you doing man? 👉 Get AI to write your scene descriptions for you 👈

11-14-2015, 02:26 AM	#7
jiguideveloper Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: [email protected] Posts: 1,040	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

11-14-2015, 05:44 AM	#8
MichaelMC Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 23	Very good info. Thank you very much for the update __________________ Once you go BLACKED, you never go back

11-14-2015, 06:18 AM	#11
j3rkules VIP Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 22,105	Thanks for the report, I know many wordpress sites which ranks for the first page keywords... __________________ How To Build A Porn Site And Make Money \| My Best $$$ Cam Sponsor 3 Top Adult Hosting Providers

11-13-2015, 11:29 PM	#2
kane Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: portland, OR Posts: 20,684	Nice post. Thanks

11-14-2015, 12:29 AM	#3
Rob I'm a great bowler. Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Right Outside of Normal. Posts: 13,310	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/

11-14-2015, 05:51 AM	#9
JuicyBunny So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tokyo Red Light District Posts: 2,145	Thanks for the info, Rob. More of these threads. They're a good thing. For SEO plug-ins I like Yoast the most.

11-14-2015, 06:15 AM	#10
nico-t emperor of my world Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: nethalands Posts: 29,904	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.

11-14-2015, 06:59 AM	#12
Andreweb Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Internet Posts: 2,423	I prefer to not use wordpress because they are not good for SEO ! __________________ Make Money With: Chaturbate

11-14-2015, 07:38 AM	#13
HowlingWulf Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,662	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

11-14-2015, 07:58 AM	#14
Smart Fred Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: France Posts: 308	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!

11-14-2015, 08:00 AM	#15
Colmike9 (>^_^)b Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 7,224	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..

11-14-2015, 08:34 AM	#18
NemesisEnforcer Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vegas and Los Angeles Posts: 2,122	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.'

11-14-2015, 08:41 AM	#20
Rob I'm a great bowler. Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Right Outside of Normal. Posts: 13,310	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.

11-14-2015, 08:54 AM	#21
potter Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Denver Posts: 6,559	Why would you use a WP plugin and not just test directly through Google and the other systems out there? __________________

11-14-2015, 09:36 AM	#22
8pt-buck So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Princeton, New Jersey Posts: 4,011	Thanks a lot Rob.

11-14-2015, 10:26 PM	#23
amvcdotcom i like kitties. Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle & NC Posts: 886	What about the themes that come out of the can when opening a fresh install? __________________ Email only: allen at/ amvc dotcom

11-15-2015, 04:28 AM	#27
Craft Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 169	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.

11-15-2015, 07:19 PM	#28
Martin "Assassins" Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: At home Posts: 17,277	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. __________________

11-16-2015, 05:15 AM	#32
nightslit Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: France Posts: 226	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

11-16-2015, 09:13 AM	#35
brassmonkey Pay It Forward Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yo Mama House Posts: 76,514	you can fix all that shit yourself. took me 1 day and i just reuse the theme change css and logo bam! __________________ TRUMP 2024 KEKAW!!! - Support The Laken Riley Act!!! END DACA - SUPPORT AZ HCR 2060 52R - email: brassballz-at-techie.com

01-18-2016, 11:18 AM	#37
TheSenator Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 13,323	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

01-18-2016, 11:27 AM	#38
HeadPimp Bad Mo-Fo Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,772	Great advice! Lots of template designers can make a beautiful theme, but not all of them can set it up to rank well.

01-18-2016, 02:40 PM	#40
CustomBusinessSoftware Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 670	thx for sharing __________________ Onlyfans & Twitter Shoutouts TG @bonsaiplantsnursery

01-18-2016, 05:46 PM	#42
mce Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: All Over Posts: 3,917	This is scary __________________ Pay Virtual Assistants Based on RESULTS instead of TIME STOP getting FUCKED IN THE ASS by your VA

01-20-2016, 09:04 AM	#49
BoomBoomBenoit Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 204	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