How to Fix Pages Without Character Encoding in SEMrush Audit [Step-by-Step]

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How to Fix Pages That Don’t Have Character Encoding Declared

Ensuring that your web pages have a declared character encoding is crucial for maintaining proper text display across different browsers and devices. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing this issue in WordPress.

Why Character Encoding Matters

Character encoding tells the browser how to correctly render the text on your web pages. Without it, you may encounter issues with how text, especially special characters, is displayed, which can affect the user experience and even your site’s SEO.

Step 1: Access Your WordPress Admin Dashboard

Start by logging into your WordPress admin dashboard. This is the central hub where you can manage all aspects of your website.

Step 2: Navigate to the Theme Editor

In the left-hand menu, hover over “Appearance” and click on “Theme Editor.” This is where you can directly edit your theme files.

Step 3: Locate the Header.php File

In the theme editor, look for the file named header.php in the right-hand navigation panel. Depending on your theme, this file might be named slightly differently, but it should be clearly labeled as the header file.

Step 4: Insert the Character Encoding Declaration

Once you’ve opened the header.php file, you need to find the section of the code that defines the <head> element. If you don’t see a line specifying the character encoding (usually something like <meta charset=”UTF-8″>), you need to add it.

Here’s the code to insert:

<meta charset=”UTF-8″>

Place this line of code right after the <head> tag, preferably below the viewport meta tag and above any JavaScript includes. It’s crucial to put this line on a separate line to ensure clarity and prevent conflicts.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

After inserting the character encoding declaration, click the “Update File” button to save your changes. This ensures that your pages are properly encoded and displayed correctly across all browsers.

Additional Tips

Backup Your Site: Before making any changes to your theme files, always back up your site. This prevents data loss in case anything goes wrong during the process.
Test Your Site: After updating the header file, test your site to ensure that all pages display correctly, and the encoding issue is resolved.
Consider a Child Theme: If you’re making direct changes to your theme files, consider creating a child theme. This way, your changes won’t be overwritten when you update your theme.

By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your website’s text is rendered correctly, providing a better user experience and avoiding potential SEO penalties. Properly declaring character encoding is a simple yet essential task in maintaining a well-functioning website.