We get it; SEO can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling a million other things with your business. But remember, on-page SEO is ultimately about making your website both search engine friendly and genuinely useful for your audience. This checklist breaks it down into manageable action steps.

Part 1: The Fundamentals

1. Target Keywords

  • Understand your audience: The goal is to find keywords your ideal customers actually search for. Start by thinking about the problems they face that your services or products address.
  • Tools to the rescue: Free and paid tools exist to help you. Try Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz. Look for a balance between decent search volume and lower competition for specific keywords.

2. Title Tags

  • The “billboard” for your page: Title is what people see in search results. It needs to accurately describe your content and capture attention.
  • Include your primary keyword: Place it near the beginning for higher relevance.
  • Aim for 50-60 characters: This avoids titles cutting off in search results.

Example:

  • Weak: Website Tips
  • Better: Website Design Tips for Small Businesses
  • Strongest: 5 Website Design Tips to Attract More Customers

3. Meta Descriptions

  • Expand on your title: Use this space below the title in search results to provide a compelling reason someone should click your link.
  • Naturally include your keyword: It makes your page look more relevant!
  • Keep it around 150-160 characters: Provides adequate space to be descriptive.

4. Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.)

  • Organize your content: Headers not only help readers, but they also give search engines clues about the structure and important topics on your page.
  • One H1 per page: This tag is reserved for your primary headline.
  • H2s and H3s for subheadings: Think of them like section titles and subtitles.
  • Include keywords where they fit: Don’t force it. Keyword stuffing looks spammy.
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Part 2: Optimizing the Details

Let’s tackle the finer points that help pages shine in search:

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5. Image Optimization

  • File Names Matter: Instead of generic names like “image101.jpg” use descriptive names with keywords (e.g. “social-media-scheduling-tools.jpg”).
  • Alt Text is Key: Write a clear description of the image. This is especially crucial for accessibility! Include keywords when they naturally fit.
  • File Size Impacts Speed: Compress images with tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh for faster load times.

6. Make URLs Work for You

  • Clarity is key: URLs should be readable by humans and search engines.
  • Example:
  • Bad: /products?category=12&sort=price_ascending
  • Better: /shop/running-shoes
  • Hyphens separate words: (example-like-this)
  • Use keywords (but without going overboard): Forced keywords look unnatural.

Part 3: User-Focused Content & Bonus Tips

7. Make Your Content Easy to Read

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  • People (and search engines) like skimmable content: Keep these formatting tips in mind:
    • Short paragraphs: No more than 2-3 sentences long.
    • Subheadings: Break up text and signify topic changes.
    • Lists: Perfect for steps or highlighting key points.
    • Strategic bold/italics: Emphasize important phrases, but use sparingly.

8. Internal Linking

  • Connect the dots within your site: Linking to relevant older articles on your site has multiple benefits:
    • Keeps people engaged: Offers readers additional topics to explore.
    • Improves SEO: Tells search engines about your site’s structure and context.
  • Anchor text matters: The clickable text within a link should describe the page you’re linking to. Use keywords naturally with variation.

Example: In a blog post about email marketing, you could link to your older post titled “How to Build an Email List” using anchor text like “growing your email list”.

9. Bonus Tips

  • Mobile matters: Many people search on their phones and tablets. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly (check with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool).
  • Focus on quality: Ultimately, thin or unhelpful content won’t do you any favors, even with technical optimization. Prioritize value for your readers.
  • Review and update: Revisit your older content from time to time. Can you update information, improve SEO, or add fresh internal links?

Final Thoughts

Don’t be afraid to experiment! SEO is a process of trial and refinement. Use tools like Google Analytics to see which posts perform well and spot areas needing attention. Most importantly, remember that a well-optimized website serves both your human audience and the search engines, which leads to long-term success.