Request for Quotation (RFQ): WordPress / WooCommerce Site Optimization & SEO Setup I am looking for an experienced WordPress & WooCommerce developer to audit, fix, and optimize my existing website. The site currently uses multiple plugins and requires technical, SEO, performance, and structural improvements. Project Scope & Requirements 1. SEO, Sitemap & Google Search Console Setup Properly connect and configure Yoast SEO Generate and validate XML sitemaps Submit sitemaps to Google Search Console Ensure all relevant pages are indexed in Google Search Console Identify and resolve indexing issues, exclusions, or crawl errors (Note: Yoast premium/plugin costs will be paid separately by me.) 2. Plugin Management Update all installed plugins to the latest stable versions Identify and safely deactivate/remove inactive or unused plugins Ensure no plugin conflicts after updates 3. Duplicate Content Cleanup Identify and remove or properly redirect duplicate pages Ensure clean URL structure and correct canonical tags 4. Meta Description Optimization Identify URLs with missing or short meta descriptions Generate and implement SEO-friendly meta descriptions (ChatGPT-assisted content acceptable) 5. Category Landing Page Creation (Affiliate-Focused) Create one main page that includes the following 15 categories: Dog Supplies Cat Supplies Fish & Aquatic Pet Supplies Bird Supplies Small Animal Supplies Reptile & Amphibian Supplies Horse Supplies Pet Food Pet Treats Pet Health & Wellness Pet Training & Behavior Aids Pet Grooming Supplies Pet Beds & Furniture Pet Travel & Outdoor Gear Pet Cleaning & Waste Management For each category: Create a visual block (3-block layout per row) Add an AI-generated image relevant to the category Write a unique AI-generated description (~100 words) Link each category block to my Amazon affiliate URL Ensure mobile responsiveness and SEO-friendly structure 6. PHP Version Upgrade Safely update the PHP version to a recommended, compatible version Ensure compatibility with WordPress core, WooCommerce, theme, and plugins 7. WordPress Auto-Update & Security Fix Resolve the following WordPress issue: Error: WordPress security and maintenance releases are blocked by define( 'WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE', false ); Tasks: Enable automatic background updates for security and maintenance releases Fix WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE configuration Ensure WordPress can auto-update without FTP or permission issues 8. Performance & Page Caching Optimization Install and configure a page cache solution Reduce server response time (current ~1,655 ms; target <600 ms) Enable browser/client caching headers: cache-control expires etag last-modified Verify performance improvements using standard speed-testing tools 9. Theme Cleanup Identify and remove inactive or unused WordPress themes Retain only the active theme and required defaults Deliverables Fully optimized and secure WooCommerce website All relevant pages indexed and visible in Google Search Console Improved SEO health, crawlability, and performance Faster page load times and server response Clean plugin and theme environment Summary report of work completed Requirements Proven experience with WordPress & WooCommerce Strong understanding of technical SEO, caching, and performance optimization Ability to work safely on a live or staging site Clear communication and realistic timelines