The Complete Guide to Performing a TYPO3 Website Check

Introduction: Why Regular TYPO3 Audits Matter

In today’s digital landscape, your TYPO3 website is more than just an online presence – it’s a critical business asset that requires regular maintenance. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car for years without an oil change or inspection, your TYPO3 installation needs periodic checkups to ensure optimal performance, security, and reliability.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through a professional-grade TYPO3 website audit process that covers all essential aspects of your CMS installation. Whether you’re a site administrator, developer, or business owner, these actionable steps will help you maintain a healthy, high-performing TYPO3 website check.

Section 1: Foundational System Checks

Server Environment Verification

Begin your audit by examining the technical foundation:

1. PHP Compatibility Check:
   • Verify your PHP version matches TYPO3’s requirements
   • Check for deprecated PHP functions in use
   • Review php.ini settings (memory_limit, max_execution_time)
2. Database Health Assessment:
   • Analyze table optimization status
   • Check for fragmented indexes
   • Review slow query logs
3. File System Permissions:
   • Validate proper permissions for:
     • typo3temp/
     • fileadmin/
     • typo3conf/
   • Check for world-writable files

Pro Tip: Use TYPO3’s “Environment > System Information” module for a quick overview of your system status.

Section 2: Security Audit

Critical Security Checks

1. User Access Review:
   • Audit backend user accounts and permissions
   • Remove inactive users
   • Verify admin access is properly restricted
2. Vulnerability Assessment:
   • Check for known security advisories
   • Review extension security status
   • Scan for common vulnerabilities (XSS, SQLi, CSRF)
3. Configuration Hardening:
   • Verify .htaccess protections
   • Check SSL/TLS configuration
   • Review encryption key storage

Recommended Tool: EXT:security_check for automated vulnerability scanning

Section 3: Performance Optimization

Speed and Efficiency Analysis

1. Frontend Performance:
   • Run Google Lighthouse tests
   • Analyze page speed metrics
   • Check caching effectiveness
2. Backend Performance:
   • Monitor slow backend operations
   • Review scheduler task efficiency
   • Check extension performance impact
3. Database Optimization:
   • Identify and optimize slow queries
   • Clean up obsolete records
   • Review indexing strategy

Performance Booster: Implement EXT:staticfilecache for significant speed improvements

Section 4: Content and SEO Review

Digital Marketing Health Check

1. Content Structure:
   • Verify page hierarchy and organization
   • Check for orphaned content
   • Review content lifecycle management
2. SEO Fundamentals:
   • Audit metadata completeness
   • Check XML sitemap generation
   • Verify canonical URL implementation
3. Accessibility Compliance:
   • Review WCAG 2.1 compliance
   • Check alt text for images
   • Verify proper heading structure

SEO Essential: Use EXT:seo for comprehensive search engine optimization features

Section 5: Maintenance and Sustainability

Long-Term Health Strategies

1. Update Management:
   • Review available core updates
   • Check extension compatibility
   • Plan upgrade roadmap
2. Backup Strategy:
   • Verify backup completeness
   • Test restoration procedures
   • Review backup retention policy
3. Monitoring Setup:
   • Implement uptime monitoring
   • Configure error tracking
   • Set up performance alerts

Conclusion: Implementing a Regular Checkup Routine

A thorough TYPO3 website check should be performed at least quarterly, with more frequent monitoring for high-traffic or mission-critical sites. By establishing a regular audit routine using this guide, you’ll:

• Prevent security breaches before they occur
• Maintain optimal site performance
• Ensure content remains fresh and effective
• Reduce long-term maintenance costs

Next Steps Checklist:

1. Schedule your first comprehensive audit
2. Document all findings and action items
3. Implement monitoring tools for ongoing oversight
4. Plan follow-up checks at regular intervals

Remember, a well-maintained TYPO3 website isn’t just about preventing problems – it’s about unlocking your digital platform’s full potential. By investing time in regular health checks, you’re ensuring your TYPO3 installation remains a powerful, reliable asset for your organization.