Setting Up MODX SEO Tools: A Step-by-Step Guide
Imagine: you've launched a site on MODX, but in Google Search Console you see hundreds of errors like "Duplicate without canonical" and "Missing meta description." This is typical for a "raw" MODX installation. Without properly configured SEO packages, your site loses rankings and traffic. We solve this problem in 2–4 hours—over 50 projects confirm the result.
Why MODX Doesn't Play Well with SEO by Default?
MODX's architecture relies on customization via snippets and TV parameters, but there are no built-in solutions for sitemap, redirects, or hreflang. The developer must either write code manually or install specialized extensions. The second option is faster and more reliable—fewer chances for errors like incorrect canonical URLs or duplicate pages. Moreover, modern performance requirements (Core Web Vitals: LCP, CLS, INP) require fine-tuning of meta tags and data structure, which is hard to implement without packages. Core Web Vitals are a key ranking factor, and incorrect setup can cost you up to 30% of traffic.
Which SEO Package to Choose: SEO Tab or Seosuite?
The choice depends on the project scale. If you only need basic meta tags and Open Graph—SEO Tab will suffice. If you need to manage sitemap, redirects, 404s, and multilingual support—Seosuite is more functional. Our clients save on SEO optimization by choosing the right package. And proper setup pays off within a few months.
| Criterion | SEO Tab | Seosuite |
|---|---|---|
| Meta tags (title, description, keywords) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open Graph / Twitter Cards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sitemap.xml | ❌ | ✅ (with priorities) |
| robots.txt management | ❌ | ✅ |
| 301/302 redirects | ❌ | ✅ |
| 404 statistics | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hreflang | ❌ | ✅ |
| Auto-canonical URL | ✅ (manual) | ✅ (auto) |
| Installation complexity | 15 minutes | 30 minutes |
What Problems Does Each Package Solve?
| Problem | Solution | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate pages without canonical | SEO Tab or Seosuite | Any package |
| Missing sitemap.xml | Seosuite or pdoSitemap | Seosuite |
| 404 errors without redirects | Seosuite with auto-redirects | Seosuite |
| No hreflang for multilingual | Only Seosuite | Seosuite |
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up SEO Packages
Step 1. Analytics. Check current meta tags, indexing, duplicates. Often we find missing canonical URLs and incorrect hreflang.
Step 2. Choose the package. If the site is multilingual—Seosuite, otherwise SEO Tab. Consider budget: Seosuite requires more resources for maintenance.
Step 3. Install via Package Manager. Go to admin → System → Package Management → Search "Seosuite" / "SEO Tab" → Install. After installation, configure system settings:
seosuite.sitemap_always_generate: 1 seosuite.use_default_canonical: 1 seosuite.redirect_404: 1 seosuite.redirect_to: ID of 404 resource For SEO Tab, minimal settings are enough. Step 4. Integrate into template. Output meta tags via chunks:
<head> [[seoTab.meta]] [[seoTab.og]] </head> For Seosuite, the package automatically includes output, but you can customize.
Step 5. Generate sitemap. For Seosuite, it's automatic. For SEO Tab, use the pdoSitemap snippet. Create a resource with alias sitemap, template with Content Type XML, and output:
[[!pdoSitemap? &contexts=`web` &excludeResources=`10,11,12` &excludeTemplates=`6` &cache=`1` &cacheTime=`86400` ]] Step 6. Configure redirects and 404. Seosuite tracks 404 statistics and allows setting 301 redirects to the desired page. For SEO Tab, redirects must be written manually via .htaccess.
What to Do When Seosuite Conflicts with Other Packages?
Sometimes Seosuite may conflict with caching snippets (pdoTools, pdoCache). Solution: disable caching for Seosuite output or use a newer version. In our practice, we encountered this twice—the issue is resolved by updating the package or changing the order of snippet calls.
What's Included in Our SEO Package Setup Service
- Installation and configuration of SEO Tab or Seosuite
- Output of meta tags, Open Graph (see Open Graph), canonical URLs
- Sitemap.xml generation with priority settings
- Setup of redirects (301/302) and 404 page
- Hreflang support for multilingual versions
- Documentation on using the SEO panel
- Training editors on new fields
- Guarantee of correct indexing within 30 days
Timelines and Cost
Installation and basic setup—from 2 to 4 hours. If customization is required (additional TVs, complex redirects, hreflang)—from 1 to 2 days. Cost is calculated individually after a free project assessment. Request a diagnosis—we'll choose the optimal solution for your budget.
Why Choose Us?
We have been working with MODX for many years and know all the pitfalls. Our clients note a reduction in SEO optimization costs and an increase in organic traffic. Contact us—get a consultation and assessment within 1 day.