SEO Settings for Hostinger Horizons Apps
TL;DR:
- Access SEO settings through your Hostinger dashboard to manage titles, meta descriptions, and canonical URLs
- Set up individual SEO settings for each page in your Horizons app
- Create and submit sitemaps to help search engines index your content properly
- Use robots.txt files to control which parts of your app search engines can crawl
- Regular maintenance of your SEO settings keeps your app visible as it grows
Getting your Horizons app noticed on search engines starts with the right SEO setup. Hostinger makes this straightforward with built-in tools that handle the technical bits while you focus on the content.
Setting Up Your SEO Basics
Log into your Hostinger account and find the Horizons section. Select your app and look for the SEO settings tab. This is where you'll manage the key elements that tell search engines what your app is about.
Your main tasks here are setting up page titles, writing clear meta descriptions, sorting out canonical URLs, and adding social media tags. These elements work together to give search engines the information they need to understand and rank your content.
Page-by-Page Optimisation
Each page in your Horizons app can have its own SEO settings. This means you can target different keywords and write specific descriptions for different sections of your app.
Head into the app builder, pick the page you want to work on, and add your SEO details. Think about what someone might search for to find that specific page, then write your title and description to match.
The meta description is particularly important. It's the snippet that appears under your page title in search results, so make it clear and compelling enough that people want to click through.
Getting Your Content Indexed
Sitemaps
A sitemap is basically a roadmap for search engines. It lists all the pages in your app and helps search engines find and index your content efficiently.
Hostinger provides a launch checklist that walks you through creating and submitting your sitemap. Follow this checklist each time you add new content or make significant changes to your app structure.
Robots.txt Files
The robots.txt file tells search engine crawlers which parts of your app they can and can't access. Most of the time, you'll want search engines to see everything, but there might be sections like admin pages or development areas you want to keep private.
You can set these rules in your SEO settings. Be careful here though – blocking the wrong pages can hurt your search visibility.
Quick tip: After making changes to your robots.txt file, check it's working correctly by viewing yourapp.com/robots.txt in your browser.
Keeping Things Running Smoothly
SEO isn't a set-it-and-forget-it task. As your app grows and changes, you'll need to update your sitemap and review your settings.
Make it a habit to check your SEO settings whenever you add new pages or make major content changes. Keep your meta descriptions up to date and ensure your sitemaps reflect your current app structure.
FAQs
How do I change SEO settings for individual pages?
Go to the app builder, select the page you want to modify, and look for the SEO settings option. You can set unique titles, descriptions, and other SEO elements for each page.
When should I update my sitemap?
Update your sitemap whenever you add new pages, remove old ones, or make significant structural changes to your app. It's also good practice to check it monthly as part of regular maintenance.
Can I stop search engines from indexing certain pages?
Yes, use the robots.txt settings to specify which pages should be off-limits to search engine crawlers. This is useful for admin areas, test pages, or any content you don't want appearing in search results.
How long before I see SEO changes take effect?
Search engines can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to notice and implement your SEO changes. Be patient and focus on creating quality content while you wait.
Jargon Buster
Meta descriptions – Short summaries that appear under page titles in search results. They don't directly affect rankings but influence whether people click on your link.
Canonical URLs – These tell search engines which version of a page is the "official" one, preventing duplicate content issues when the same content might be accessible through multiple URLs.
Social tags – Special code that controls how your pages look when shared on social media platforms, including the title, description, and preview image that appears.
Sitemap – A file that lists all the important pages on your app, helping search engines discover and index your content more effectively.
Wrap-up
The SEO tools in Hostinger's Horizons platform give you everything you need to get your app noticed by search engines. The interface is straightforward, and the built-in checklists help ensure you don't miss important steps.
Remember that good SEO is an ongoing process. Regular maintenance and updates will keep your app performing well in search results as it grows and evolves.
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