JavaScript SEO best practices

We’re well into 2025, so surely Google can handle JavaScript by now, right? Sort of. 

While Googlebot can render JavaScript, it still isn’t as straightforward as with standard HTML. Rendering is often delayed, and other search engines don’t handle it nearly as well.

If your site leans heavily on JavaScript and that content isn’t clearly presented, you could be missing out on valuable search visibility. This is especially true if you’re working with single-page applications or building modern, interactive websites. JavaScript brings loads of benefits for users, but it requires a bit of finesse to keep search engines happy too.

Let’s bust a few myths

Myth 1: “Google handles it all”

Not always. Delayed rendering can stop your content being indexed.

Myth 2: “SPAs are terrible for SEO”

They can actually perform brilliantly, if set up properly.

Myth 3: “If it works for users, it works for search engines”

Not quite. UX and SEO often need different things behind the scenes.

How JavaScript affects SEO and what to do about it

First, here’s how Google handles your site:

1. Crawls the base HTML
2. Queues the page for rendering
3. Executes JavaScript
4. Indexes the rendered content

If your content only appears after JavaScript has run, there’s a risk it won’t be picked up straight away or at all.

CSR, SSR, and SSG - What’s the Difference?

• Client-side rendering (CSR): Feels quick to users, but search engines might struggle
• Server-side rendering (SSR): Delivers ready-to-index content. A win for SEO
• Static site generation (SSG): Blazingly fast. Great for SEO and UX alike

At Method, we mostly build in WordPress or HubSpot. These platforms are ideal for marketers who want full control of their content with built-in SEO advantages. When clients need something dynamic, we adapt, ensuring performance and discoverability go hand in hand.

Smart SEO Tips for JavaScript Sites

Serve search-ready HTML

Make sure your core content is visible the moment the page loads. No waiting, no guesswork.

Build with progressive enhancement

• Your site should still function even if JavaScript falters
• Use proper anchor tags for links, and make sure key info is in the original HTML

Use lazy loading carefully

• It’s great for speed, but make sure essential content isn’t hidden from crawlers
• You can wrap lazy-loaded elements in <noscript> tags to help with visibility

Speed still matters

• Heavy JavaScript can slow things down. That’s not great for users or SEO
• Minimise unused code, load non-essential scripts after your main content, and split your bundles to keep things lean

Get your meta tags in early

• Don’t rely on JavaScript to inject your titles or meta descriptions. They need to be there in the HTML from the start
• This includes canonical tags and hreflang for international sites

Link properly

• Search engines still love a classic <a href="...">. Avoid click-only navigation or single-page routing without proper URLs

Implement structured data the right way

• If you're using schema, use JSON-LD and make sure it's part of the rendered HTML
• Don’t inject it after the fact unless you’re using SSR

Helpful tools for testing

1. Google Search Console (URL Inspection)
2. Chrome DevTools (Rendering tab)
3. Lighthouse (for Core Web Vitals)
4. Screaming Frog (with JavaScript rendering enabled)
5. Rendertron or Prerender.io (to simulate SSR)
6. Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test

Avoid these common pitfalls

1. Infinite scroll with no fallback –> bots can’t scroll forever
2. Injecting canonical or hreflang via JS –> they need to appear in the initial load
3. Relying only on client-side routing –> make sure each page has its own crawlable URL

So, what’s the verdict?

JavaScript isn’t the problem, bad implementation is.
In 2025, the best-performing websites blend smart UX with SEO-friendly structure. At Method, we work with platforms like WordPress and HubSpot to build fast, functional, and findable websites that work just as well for your users as they do for search engines.

If you’re building a new site or struggling to get the most from your current setup, we can help you find the balance between bold design, functional development, and smart search visibility.

Let’s make your site as discoverable as it is brilliant.

Ready to get started?

Whether you’re after a technical audit or want to talk through your site architecture, we’re here. No waffle, no fluff. Just expert advice that works. Talk to us here at Method, your partner in web design and development.