# The Ultimate On-Page SEO Checklist **Last updated:** 2022-11-11 **Source:** https://www.lawrencehitches.com/on-page-seo-checklist/ --- wp:post-featured-image / wp:paragraph Are you looking for a simple on-page SEO checklist? Well, you've come to the right place. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph SEO (search engine optimization) is essential for high rankings on major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For your sites to rank well, you want to ensure that search engine bots optimize your sites for discoverability. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Marketers, designers, project managers, and other business leaders will find the guide especially useful. In the guide, you will find plans for mastering on-page SEO for your website. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here is a total on-page SEO checklist with almost 57 actionable points you can follow to improve your search rankings and website traffic. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## The TLDR: /wp:heading wp:paragraph **Performance**: Prioritize webpage speed, mobile-friendliness, and error-free crawling. Audit for soft 404s and [duplicate meta content](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/why-is-having-duplicate-content-an-issue-for-seo/). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **Content**: Create unique, engaging SEO-optimized content. Use title tags, meta descriptions, SEO-friendly URLs, and internal links. Apply structured data markup. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **Keyword Research**: Understand your targeted keyword's search volume, variations, local searches, competition, and traffic potential. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **Link Building / Backlinks / Off-page SEO**: List your business in online directories and Google Business Profile. Earn links through quality content and customer referrals. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **UI Design**: Enhance user engagement with responsive design, F-shaped readability, white space usage, and clear navigation. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **Video**: Use video sitemaps, snippets in SERPs, transcriptions, and keyword-optimized titles and descriptions. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **Call To Action Goal**: Focus on one option, consider size, and be descriptive. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **YMYL & E-E-A-T**: Understand the importance of E-E-A-T quality rating and YMYL. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph **User Experience**: Minimize distractions like intrusive interstitials, excessive popups, auto-playing videos, and slow page load times. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On-Page SEO Checklist - Performance /wp:heading wp:paragraph On-page SEO checklist on performance is a critical aspect of your website. Your website needs to be fast, secure, and have a good user experience to rank better on Google. The following checklist will help ensure that your site has everything it needs to perform at its best. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Analyze web page speed /wp:heading wp:paragraph Analyze your page speed to ensure your site is performing at its best. Speed can be a ranking factor, including user experience, conversion rate, usability, and more. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Page speed is a marketing factor: if your website is slow, you might as well not exist in the eyes of Google. It also affects your brand reputation and competitive advantage because users will assume that if a site loads slowly, it has poor content or functionality on the inside, and leave quickly in search of better options. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Get an overview of the top five issues that affect your site's speed and how to fix them. Check your page load time against industry benchmarks to know where your site stands. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Test the speed of your site's mobile pages, including desktop pages. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Find out how well you optimize your site for mobile devices by running a free test with [Google's PageSpeed Insights.](https://pagespeed.web.dev/) /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Test robots.txt file /wp:heading wp:paragraph The [robots.txt](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/robotstxt/) file is a simple text file that helps your site's search engine crawlers to know which pages they can and can't access on your website. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is an essential step toward making sure the content on your site is accessible to users since it prevents any accidental crawling of private information or other sensitive data you should keep secure. Test your robots.txt with the [robots.txt Tester](https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/63198?hl=en)). /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Make your website more mobile-friendly /wp:heading wp:paragraph Your website must be mobile-friendly if you want to reach a wider audience. Mobile users will avoid sites that are not optimized for their devices. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To ensure this doesn't happen, ensure your site works on mobile devices and uses responsive design (i.e., a single template that adapts its layout based on the device you use). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Ensure your site loads quickly on smartphones using images no more significant than 600×600 pixels and avoiding plugins that slow download times. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Also, optimize images with file compression software such as ImageOptim or JPEGmini to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph And finally, ensure you're using a CMS simple enough to manage while still giving you enough control over content display: WordPress has plugins specifically designed for fast loading times on mobile devices. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Drupal offers guidelines for making sites faster, and Joomla has its guide to optimizing pages without losing functionality or aesthetics. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Fix crawl errors in Search Console /wp:heading wp:paragraph The crawl error report helps you find and fix errors Google bot encounters when crawling your website. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Errors in the crawl log include the following: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Crawling too many URLs at once. - Not following redirects on a page or site. - Getting an HTTP 404, 500, or 503 response when requesting a URL. /wp:list wp:paragraph You can access this report by visiting Search Console > Crawl > Crawl statistics. Then click on Crawl errors. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The table will show you how many pages Google bot blocked because of these issues, plus it has more details about each error type so you can determine which ones are most important to fix first. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When there is an error on a page, the Google bot will indicate a problem with the URL by shading it green. Not-indexed pages are in grey and error pages are in red. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":909,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:paragraph In addition to fixing these problems directly in Search Console, you can take other steps for the Google bot to crawl the site. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Audit pages with soft 404s /wp:heading wp:heading {"level":4} #### What is a soft 404? /wp:heading wp:paragraph A soft 404 is an HTTP response code that means a Page is not found but usually isn't a correct 404 error. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It can happen when Google's search algorithm has moved or deleted the page you're trying to access but didn't mark it as permanently removed from its index. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can also trigger a soft 404 if you type in a URL or keyword you know exists on your site but doesn't include the exact structure of your URL. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph These situations result in broken links because they appear like regular pages with content, but they're technically inaccessible due to their status as soft 404s. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you leave them alone, these errors will likely cause people who click on those links, logged-in users included, to bounce back immediately and get frustrated with your website's usability. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Look for duplicate meta content. /wp:heading wp:paragraph There is a possibility of duplicate meta content if you have a website but haven't done much SEO. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If this is the case, it's time to take action: duplicate meta content can cause problems for search engines and users. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":4} #### First off, what exactly is duplicate meta content? /wp:heading wp:paragraph It refers to a situation where two or more pages of your site contain similar (or identical) information about their titles or descriptions. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Search engines are not fond of this type of thing, they want unique content to understand what each page is about, and they tend to punish websites with too much-duplicated information by lowering their rankings on search results pages (SERPs). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In addition, if you have multiple versions of the same [page within an internal linking](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/internal-linking-seo/) structure (this means numerous links pointing back at a particular page), Google may choose not to index those pages as part of its crawlable index. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Instead, it will only index one version per URL and ignore any others since nothing differentiates them from each other. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Run an audit to check broken internal links (404 pages) /wp:heading wp:paragraph Use a [broken link](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/broken-link/) checker to find internal links with 404 response codes. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you're using a tool like Screaming Frog or Broken Link Checker, you can run it against your site and find all the broken links on your website. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Upgrade plugins and themes /wp:heading wp:paragraph Ensure your plugins and themes are up to date. If you've been using a plugin for several years, there's no need to continue using an outdated version. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Updating all plugins ensures they don't contain bugs or vulnerabilities that affect your site's overall performance. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The same applies to themes; if one isn't performing as expected, check its settings before upgrading anything else. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Inline CSS /wp:heading wp:paragraph Use inline CSS where possible to improve page performance. Inline CSS is easy to maintain and secure since you can write the styles in the source code of your website. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph External stylesheets can be hard to update, so you should use them only when you need cross-browser support or want your CSS files to be downloaded independently. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Check image ALT tags. /wp:heading wp:paragraph Alternative text (Alt tags) is a crucial part of SEO performance. They provide context for screen readers and help Google understand what an image is about. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph They should be unique to each page on which they appear and individual to each image (i.e., don't reuse alt tags). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph While at it, ensure that your title tag is descriptive and includes keywords. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist - Content /wp:heading wp:paragraph The SEO checklist will help you ensure that all the pieces of your page -- title tag, meta description, URL, headings, and more -- are working together to increase your chances of appearing in search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Content-based SEO is about creating engaging, high-quality content that resonates with users. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Optimize page title tags /wp:heading wp:list - The title tag is the first element to appear on your search engine results page (SERP). /wp:list wp:list - A good title is relevant, descriptive, and unique to each page so that it accurately represents what a user would expect to see when they arrive at your website. /wp:list wp:list - Keep your titles short . 60 characters or fewer. because Google truncates long titles by default. /wp:list wp:paragraph Page titles, also known as title tags, play a pivotal role in SEO strategy. They are the first point of contact between your website and potential visitors browsing the search engine results pages (SERPs). A well-optimized title tag can significantly influence click-through rates, making it an essential element in driving organic traffic to your site. However, optimizing title tags isn't just about improving rankings; it's also about providing context and relevance to your audience and search engines. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The importance of title tags cannot be overstated. They serve as an initial cue to the topical subject matter of the page, appearing prominently on SERPs and in the browser window. However, on its own, the title tag has little impact on organic rankings. It's the combination of a well-crafted title tag with other on-page elements that builds important context and subject-matter relevance for a page. For instance, a title tag is most impactful when it introduces the topic of the page and the same important keywords are used in body copy, image alt attribute, the meta description, URL, and other aspects of the page. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When it comes to optimizing title tags, there are several key aspects to consider. First, understand the page's context within the site. The title tag for a [homepage](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/homepage-seo/) will be different from that of a blog post or product page. Second, consider the searcher's intent and use relevant keywords that your audience is using in their searches. Third, ensure [topical relevance](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/topical-relevance-meaning/) within the page. The words used in the title tag should also be used in other parts of the page to tie the topic together. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Let's consider some examples. A good title tag could be "5-Piece Customized BBQ Utensil Set by The Man Registry." It's specific, relevant, and includes important keywords. On the other hand, a title tag like "Product Page" is vague and doesn't provide any context or relevance, making it a poor choice. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Remember, the goal of a title tag is not just to include keywords but to provide a concise, accurate representation of the page's content. It's about balancing SEO best practices with providing a meaningful, compelling reason for users to click on your link in the SERPs. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Meta Description Optimization: Crafting Compelling Summaries /wp:heading wp:list - The meta description is the first thing people read when they see a search result in their browser. It's essential to ensure it is unique and compelling so that users click on your page instead of another. /wp:list wp:list - Meta descriptions should be between 150 and 160 characters long, though some search engines may allow longer descriptions. /wp:list wp:list - Write them naturally, not with keywords stuffed into the text. You don't want to look like you're trying too hard. /wp:list wp:paragraph Meta descriptions, while not a direct ranking factor, play a significant role in attracting clicks from search engine results pages (SERPs). These HTML elements provide a summary of your webpage's content, giving potential visitors a snapshot of what to expect before they click through. An effective meta description can significantly increase your click-through rate, driving more organic traffic to your site. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When writing a meta description, it's important to keep a few key principles in mind. First, it should accurately summarize the content of the webpage. Google and other search engines use meta descriptions to understand the context of your page, and they may choose to display your meta description in the SERPs if it provides a more accurate description than the on-page content. However, if the meta description is not accurate, Google may rewrite it, using text from the visible part of the webpage instead. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Second, your meta description should include relevant keywords. While Google states that they don't use keywords in the meta description for ranking purposes, these keywords are often highlighted in the SERPs, drawing the reader's attention and potentially increasing the likelihood of a click. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Third, your meta description should be compelling. Think of it as a pitch to convince the user that your page is exactly what they're looking for. It should inspire confidence in the user that your webpage contains the information they're seeking. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, a good meta description for a personal injury attorney's blog post might be: "Pain and suffering are very real to the victim in a personal injury case. Learn more about how to reduce discomfort from our personal injury attorneys in this latest blog post." This description accurately summarizes the content of the page, includes relevant keywords, and provides a compelling reason for the user to click through. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Remember, the goal of a meta description is It's to provide a concise, accurate, and compelling summary of your page's content. It's about balancing SEO best practices with providing a meaningful, compelling reason for users to click on your link in the SERPs. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Create an SEO-friendly URL /wp:heading wp:paragraph Ensure your URL is short and easy to remember. Once you've chosen a domain name, stick with it so that people can easily find your site. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Don't use underscores or hyphens in URLs. These characters are unnecessary and will make the URL harder to read, especially when they are part of the keyword you want people to type into their browser bar to get to your site (e.g., [http://www.example-company-name.com/products/product1)](http://www.example-company-name.com/products/product1)). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Avoid special characters such as ampersands (&), non-alphanumeric characters such as äöü߀$%&'()*, spaces, or dashes (-). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Special characters may cause problems when users try to type them into their web browsers, or search engines will not recognize them as valid words. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Image Optimization and Alt Text: Enhancing SEO and Accessibility /wp:heading wp:paragraph Images are a crucial part of a website's content, not just for the visual appeal but also for SEO. Properly optimized images can improve your site's performance, enhance user experience, and provide additional ranking opportunities in search engines. One of the key aspects of image optimization is the use of alt text, also known as "alt descriptions" or "alt tags." /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Alt text is a written description that is displayed in place of an image on a webpage if the image fails to load on a user's screen. This serves two important functions. First, it helps screen-reading tools describe images to visually impaired readers, making your website more accessible. Second, it allows search engines to better understand the image content, which can improve your website's SEO. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When writing alt text, it's important to be descriptive and specific, accurately conveying the content and purpose of the image. For example, instead of using a generic description like "dog," a more effective alt text would be "a golden retriever playing fetch in a park." This provides a much clearer picture of what the image is about. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In addition, it's beneficial to include relevant keywords in your alt text. This can help your images show up in image search results, potentially driving more traffic to your site. However, avoid keyword stuffing as it can lead to a poor user experience and may be penalized by search engines. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Remember, while alt text is important for SEO, the primary purpose is to describe images to those who cannot see them. Always prioritize creating meaningful descriptions that improve accessibility and user experience. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Add internal links /wp:heading wp:paragraph Internal links are the links that lead you from one page of a website to another. They're crucial because they help guide visitors around the site and can improve user experience, SEO, and page load speed. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here's an example: If you were looking for information about puppies on a website, an internal link could take you to another page on that same site with more information about puppy care. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You want to ensure at least three-six internal links per page or landing page so that people who visit your site can easily navigate it without relying solely on search engines for navigation guidance, with the correct [anchor text](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/internal-link-anchor-text/) to add relevance to the page. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Markup content with structured data /wp:heading wp:paragraph It is a way of adding metadata to your web pages so that search engines can better understand the content. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can use it on both desktop and mobile sites, and it can tell Google what the page is about, who wrote it, whether it contains images or videos, and much more. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Structured data markup uses HTML tags in the code of your page's HTML page files specially designed for this purpose. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can think of structured data as similar to meta tags, it adds meaning to content by identifying different information within a page (e.g., author name). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The [goal](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/should-i-focus-on-one-goal-at-a-time/) is to improve how search engines interpret web pages and present them in search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Structured data allows you to specify things like: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Author name. - Date published. - Article type (e.g., news article). - Category/topic (e.g., sports). /wp:list wp:list {"ordered":true} 1. Headings and numbered lists /wp:list wp:paragraph Headings and numbered lists are tools to use in your written content to help readers understand how to organize the information. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Headings help organize the content by providing visual cues. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, if you have a section about Types of CSS, headings like Classes and IDs would be good choices for organizing that section. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It helps readers find information quickly when scanning your page for topics or types of information. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Numbered lists are also effective at helping readers navigate through large amounts of text because they provide a visual hierarchy for where certain pieces fit within larger chunks of text: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Headings highlight key points. - Subheadings highlight subpoints under a more extensive idea (e.g., subheadings under an article title). - Numbered lists further divide them into smaller parts. /wp:list wp:heading {"level":3} ### Ensure your content is unique and engaging /wp:heading wp:paragraph Use short sentences. The average length of a sentence should not be longer than 15 words. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Use simple words. Instead of using complicated language in your content, use everyday language that everyone understands, and avoid jargon at all costs. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Use active voice instead of passive voice. Passive voice makes sentences sound vague and indirect, it doesn't clarify who did what action or why it happened, whereas active voice explains who did what action and why it happened. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Use lists when possible: they make information easier to read. If you're listing items one after another, consider putting each item on its line (you can use bullets). It will also help break up long chunks of text into smaller bits that are easier for people to digest quickly. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is especially true if those chunks get long (say over 200 words). Readers may lose focus because their eyes have trouble skimming large blocks without skipping over important details. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Is creating a unique content king? /wp:heading wp:paragraph Creating unique content for on-page can help you get more traffic, and it's also a good idea because it helps with your rankings. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When you write unique content, you are giving your readers something they can't find anywhere else -- and can keep them coming back to your site. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When Google indexes your site, it also pulls in the links to other pages on the Internet that reference your content. You increase the chances that Google will pick up on those links and include them in its ranking algorithm. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It means that when someone searches for something related to what you wrote about, they'll be able to find your page before others. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## The Role of Helpful Content in SEO /wp:heading wp:paragraph Helpful content is now a crucial factor in SEO, as Google's algorithms are increasingly prioritizing websites that provide high-quality, useful information. This is part of Google's "Helpful Content Update", which uses machine learning to predict whether content is likely to be the most helpful for a searcher. If a website's content consistently falls short of these expectations, it may be classified as having 'unhelpful content', which can negatively impact its visibility on Google's search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The importance of helpful content in SEO is further emphasized by Google's use of AI systems in their ranking algorithms. These systems, such as the [AI Overviews](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/google-sge/) (AI Overviews) and Google’s Gemini AI chat technology, are reshaping the way we search for information online. They are designed to present the searcher with pages that are likely to be helpful and satisfy their search intent. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## Optimizing for Helpful Content /wp:heading wp:paragraph To optimize for helpful content, it's essential to align with Google's criteria for quality as laid out in their Quality Rater’s Guidelines. These guidelines provide a comprehensive overview of what Google considers to be high-quality content. They include questions like, "Does this article contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?" and "Does the page provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?" /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In addition to following these guidelines, it's also important to keep up with the latest developments in Google's AI systems. Understanding how these systems work can provide valuable insights into how to create content that aligns with what they are designed to reward. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In conclusion, the importance of helpful content in SEO cannot be overstated. By creating high-quality, valuable content that aligns with Google's guidelines and understanding the role of AI in search, website owners can improve their visibility on Google and provide a better experience for their users. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Use keywords appropriately /wp:heading wp:paragraph The first step in optimizing your on-page SEO is to include the primary keyword in your title tag. Use your keyword phrase in the title and at least one subheading on the page. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Ensure your primary keyword(s) are in at least one subheading on the page (an H2, H3, etc.). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is especially crucial for longer content, as it helps Google understand what is essential about each section of text within that article. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Place your keyword within the first 100 words of your content. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Check keyword density /wp:heading wp:paragraph When writing your on-page SEO content, use the keyword density checker to ensure that your article has an appropriate number of keywords. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, if you are writing a piece on how to sell used books online, mention the word book at least once every 200 words. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If not, your keyword density is too low, and Google won't know what information it needs to display in its search results for users looking for information about selling second-hand books online. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can also use tools to determine how many keywords appear in your article and whether it is too high or too low. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Ensure your internal links work /wp:heading wp:paragraph Internal links are a great way to show search engines that your content is relevant and can help visitors navigate your site efficiently. [Internal linking](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/internal-linking-seo/) is a crucial part of the on-page SEO checklist. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To create internal links, understand the types of pages you want to link. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you're writing about a specific product or service, there should be a separate page for each one with its URL (example: [https://www.examplecompany.com/product-name/)](https://www.examplecompany.com/product-name/)). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph On this page, describe the product or service in detail and link back to your home page at least once, so people know how they arrived at that page. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It will also help search engines find these pages easily in their algorithms. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist -- Keyword Research /wp:heading wp:paragraph Keyword research is one of the most crucial steps in [on page SEO](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/on-page-seo/), but it can be hard to know where to start. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This on-page SEO checklist will guide you through some of the best practices for keyword research, including how to measure your results and what questions you should ask yourself as you build your list. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Any search volume for your targeted keyword? /wp:heading wp:paragraph Search volume is an essential factor in SEO. It is the number of searches for a keyword on Google. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's a good indicator of keyword competition and how much traffic you can get from that particular keyword. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, if the average monthly search volume for a keyword is 10k per month, your site will get approximately 1% (10k divided by 100) of those searches if you rank #1 on Google. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### What are exact, phrase, and broad search volumes? /wp:heading wp:paragraph There is a big difference between exact, phrase, and broad search volumes. The exact search volume is the most accurate because it counts only searches that include the exact keyword. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Phrase search volume includes searches that include all words in your keyword. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Broad will include any variation of your keywords so long as they are close enough to relate. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### How many local searches do you get for this keyword? /wp:heading wp:paragraph In addition to looking at the search volume, it's essential to determine how many local searches people are performing for your keyword. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It will help you determine whether it's worth investing in a local campaign for this keyword. A local search is any search that includes the city, state, or zip code in the query. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Local searches are more prevalent in smaller cities than in larger ones because of the distance between people. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph However, there are still plenty of large cities where consumers may want to find products and services near them, so don't rule out a keyword with high local search volume just because its location isn't what you expected. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Why compare the targeted keyword to other keywords? /wp:heading wp:paragraph While some marketers focus on a single keyword for their campaign, it isn't always wise. Most SEO professionals recommend that you create a list of five or more relevant keywords for each campaign. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It will help maximize the potential reach and impact of your campaign. Ensuring you have enough coverage across broad searches, long-tail searches (keywords with three or more words), and local searches (geographically-specific terms). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you focus on just one keyword, ensure it is highly relevant globally and locally. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Does your targeted keyword have any apparent substitutes? /wp:heading wp:paragraph If a keyword has apparent substitutes, it's probably not a good idea to target that keyword. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, targeting the keyword [optical frames] and its direct substitute is [frames]. It's unlikely that people searching for one would be satisfied with the results of the other. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### What is the traffic potential for your targeted keyword? /wp:heading wp:paragraph At this point, you should have a list of keywords relevant to your business. The next step is to check the traffic potential for these keywords based on the first page of search results. It will help you determine which ones are worth pursuing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can do this by searching for your keyword and looking at the top 10 results for: /wp:paragraph wp:list - That keyword. - A related keyword (or two). - A related keyword or two in the same space. /wp:list wp:list {"ordered":true} 1. What is the competition for your targeted keyword? /wp:list wp:paragraph It's essential to understand how to measure competition to start. The number of pages currently ranking for a keyword is a way to measure competition. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, the quality and authority of these pages also contribute to your content's ability to rank. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Is there room on the first page to get ranked? /wp:heading wp:paragraph The first step is to find the top 10 URLs ranking on page one. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There are many tools available to do this. They give you an overall SEO score for each URL and help you determine whether a keyword is worth targeting. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If there's good competition for a keyword, you'll want to look for another with less competition (higher search volume). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If there's no room on the first page for your website, try using long-tail keywords instead of broad ones, as they tend to have less competition because they're more specific and targeted toward a smaller audience. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### How many long-tail keywords? /wp:heading wp:paragraph Long tail keywords are usually more targeted and specific. They tend to have low search volume and are It's they can be helpful when targeting specific audiences. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As you move down the results list and choose words that describe the audience you want, you may notice that some phrases are not very popular in Google's SERPs (search engine results pages). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It indicates a few people use these phrases when searching for what you offer or need. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Instead of using these less popular phrases in your content marketing strategy, focus on using other combinations of words with high search volumes and higher relevance ratings from Google's algorithm because humans and machines consider them essential. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist - Link Building / Backlinks / Off-page SEO /wp:heading wp:paragraph Link building is creating links to your website from other websites. People used to build it through no follow links, but now social media sites are starting to become a popular way to create links. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### List your business in online directories. /wp:heading wp:paragraph List your business in online directories. While you may think of online directories only for local businesses, that's not always the case. Many guides cater to particular industries or niches and can be a great way to build links and boost rankings. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Get listed on Google My Business. It is time to start if you don't have your business listed on Google My Business. It will help people find you when they search locally on Google. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Create a Google Business Profile /wp:heading wp:paragraph Creating a Google Business Profile is an essential first step for any local business looking to gain more visibility online. GMB pages are crucial for search engine optimization, as they give you the opportunity to: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Show up in search results when people look for your business (which means more leads). - Get verified by Google and appear on their Local Pack of businesses at the top of the SERPs (search engine results pages) in their respective geographic area. - Add rich snippets to your site that provide additional information like hours of operation, price range, etc., which improves user experience and increases click-through rates (which means even more leads). /wp:list wp:heading {"level":3} ### Optimize your website for local search /wp:heading wp:paragraph Using local keywords in your: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Content. - Meta description. - Title tag. - URL (including the file name). - Alt text for images on the page. - H1-H6 tags. /wp:list wp:heading {"level":3} ### Claim your Yelp listing /wp:heading wp:paragraph Claiming your Yelp listing is a great way to start building links. Your listing will be visible across the site and can help you attract new customers and increase customer loyalty. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Yelp is a local directory that helps users find businesses in their area through reviews, recommendations, photos, and more. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Earn links by creating content others want to share /wp:heading wp:list - Create content that is useful, interesting, and entertaining. - Ensure the content is relevant to your target audience. - Make it easy for others to share your content by adding share buttons at the top of each page. - Ensure the content is well-written and easy to understand. /wp:list wp:heading {"level":3} ### Include Outbound links /wp:heading wp:paragraph The number of outbound links you have that point to your site signals search engines that you are an authoritative site on your topic. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When a user searches for information about your topic, Google will see that many people have linked to your site when researching this topic and rank it accordingly. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The most important thing to remember about outbound links is they should be relevant to the topic at hand -- if you're writing about cars, don't link to an article about cats. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Understand that your reader is looking for information on a specific topic, so ensure you're linking to relevant sites. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Another thing to consider when creating outbound links is that it's best not to overdo it -- if you have too many outbound links on your page, it could look spammy and hurt your SEO efforts instead of helping them. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Ask happy customers to link to you. /wp:heading wp:paragraph Asking happy customers to link to you is an easy way to get third-party links and improve your rankings. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph These links can help build trust with prospective customers who look at your company's website when researching a purchase. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph To get started, encourage your happy customers who requested a quote or service from you if they would be willing to put a link on their site back to yours. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can also find out if they would be interested in writing a testimonial for your business and then adding it as an additional link on their website or blog. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph On-page link building can be a powerful tool when you do it right. It's crucial to consider this as an ongoing process, though. You won't get all the links you need overnight, it takes time. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist - User Interface (UI) Design /wp:heading wp:paragraph The user interface design of an online page is the layout and formatting of the content and functionality on that page. It includes visual design cues like color, font size, and how to use the different elements of a site's interface to help users find information quickly and easily. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Better user engagement /wp:heading wp:paragraph An engaging user interface will help you build trust and credibility with your audience. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Responsive web design /wp:heading wp:paragraph Responsive web design technique ensures designs appear correctly on any device, from desktop to mobile phone. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The responsive web design aims to create websites that provide an optimal experience, easy reading and minimum navigation resizing, panning, and scrolling, across devices (from desktop computer monitors to mobile phones). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It helps ensure your web content will look great no matter what device you're using or what application you're running. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### F-shaped pattern readability /wp:heading wp:paragraph A better way to determine whether your page is readable is by looking at the F-shaped pattern. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The f-shaped pattern isn't just something you see when someone has fallen asleep reading their phone, it's a reading pattern that most people follow when they read a page. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The eyes move from the top left corner of the page downward toward the bottom right corner. Then they move back up again before returning to where they started. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Visitors won't have time to reach your content before moving on if your design doesn't catch their attention quickly enough. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### White space between paragraphs /wp:heading wp:paragraph With white space, the best rule of thumb is, the more, the merrier. There are plenty of reasons why white space is crucial for readability and SEO. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph White space makes your content easier to read. It removes distractions from the page and allows users to focus on what matters most, the words you want them to see. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph White space improves search engine rankings boosting keyword density and making pages appear less cluttered than those with dense formatting. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It also helps visitors find what they're looking for faster because there aren't as many barriers between headings, paragraphs, images, and other elements on the page. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Navigation that is easy to follow /wp:heading wp:paragraph Here are some guidelines for ensuring your users can easily find where they're going and get there in the most efficient way possible: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Navigation should be clear and straightforward. It should be easy to understand at first glance so that people don't have to stop and think about where they should go next or what kind of content is on each page. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It means avoiding much text (and incredibly long text) in navigation labels; using icons instead can help make things more visual and intuitive. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Navigation should be consistent throughout the site. Ensure all sections have similar layouts so users know what they can expect when they reach them. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, if some pages only have one main navigation bar while others have multiple levels of menus below it, this could cause confusion among visitors. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Many studies show that well-designed websites get better rankings than those poorly designed but stuffed full of keywords and links. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist -- Video /wp:heading wp:heading {"level":3} ### Set up a video sitemap /wp:heading wp:paragraph A video sitemap is an XML file that lists the URLs of all your videos, along with other information like title, thumbnail, and description. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Google indexes new pages faster if you include them in the search engine's index. Listing your videos on a single page makes it easier for a Google bot to crawl them at once. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You should submit your sitemap to search engines every time you add or change a video, but if you offer all these URLs manually every time you tweak (like changing metadata), it can be very time-consuming. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Use video snippets in SERPs. /wp:heading wp:paragraph Video snippets are a new feature that many major search engines, including Google, Bing, and Yahoo!, have rolled out. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph These snippets are generated from the first few seconds of your video and displayed on SERPs as a preview. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can use this snippet to get more clicks and views on your videos to improve your rankings. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The main benefit of video snippets is that they tell users what to watch before they even click through to your page. It leads to higher click-through rates. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Create video transcriptions /wp:heading wp:paragraph Transcripts are a must for on-page and help search engines understand the content of your videos. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph They also help users understand the content of your videos and can help you rank for keywords in your video's title and description. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Optimize video titles and descriptions /wp:heading wp:paragraph The title and description are essential elements of your video. They should be short and catchy, include a call to action, and include keywords related to your business to maximize SEO potential. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The title should include Your business or product name. It is more important if you have multiple videos about different topics or products that people can't easily distinguish through the thumbnail image. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, if you have an auto repair shop named ABC Auto Care Center, it's probably not enough to list ABC Auto Care Center as your video title. Instead, recording something like ABC Auto Care Center | Your Local Transmission Experts would be better. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Your location. You may want all viewers who search for transmission services near their location or within 100 miles (ca. 161 km) to see this video first over others by other companies or competitors nearby. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It will help identify which service provider they want working on their car before calling them for an appointment. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Add closed captioning /wp:heading wp:paragraph Google gives you bonus points when you provide closed captioning on your video. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It makes it more accessible for those with hearing impairment because YouTube's algorithms recognize the presence or absence of closed captioning. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is a signal that indicates whether a video will be relevant to people searching for it. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Closed captioning is excellent for on-page. Your videos need to be searchable by keywords if they're going to show up on searches. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Captions are an excellent way of adding additional metadata (words about words) to help improve your rankings in Google Search. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Closed captioning for user experience. Providing captions on all your videos also improves the user experience. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It means that viewers don't have to listen over to understand what's going on in each scene: instead, they can read along at their own pace while relaxing comfortably from start to finish. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Add relevant keywords to video tags and titles. /wp:heading wp:paragraph For your videos, it's crucial to add the exact keywords that you would use in text content. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Also, use the same keyword density as you would for text content so that Google knows which words and phrases are most important. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When possible, include variations of those keywords. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Finally, ensure your video tags and titles reflect the intent of the users searching for this type of information, which will help Google determine how well your video matches up with their search query. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Get links from local businesses for your videos. /wp:heading wp:paragraph It will help you get better rankings in Google Places. Also, it will drive more traffic back to your website. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Ensure the business is relevant and related to the video's content, keywords and topic. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Remember that a video is only as good as its title, description, and tags. Therefore, be sure to pay attention when writing those sections. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist - Call To Action Goal /wp:heading wp:paragraph The main goal of the call to action (CTA) is to increase leads and sales using a clear call to action. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It tracks what happens when users click a CTA. It's best to follow your conversion funnel and understand if your CTAs are working well. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you don't know how much revenue you make from each click, it's impossible to tell whether your CTAs are effective. The only way to do that is by using a CTA goal inside Google Analytics (GA). /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Narrow down your focus /wp:heading wp:paragraph When creating CTA goals, you should be laser-focused on one goal and action. It might sound counterintuitive. After all, it's about attracting new customers. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph But if your marketing team is spreading itself too thin, trying to hit multiple objectives, you may miss out on crucial opportunities. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Size matters /wp:heading wp:paragraph Choose the right size for your CTA. To be effective, CTAs should stand out from other elements on a web page, and visitors can easily see them. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Using too small or too large a CTA will negatively impact its success and conversion rate. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The recommended size is between 24x24 pixels and 48x48 pixels (however, you can test variations of this range to see what works best). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Size matters because it affects the success of your CTA. If people don't notice your call-to-action button, they won't click it, which means they won't convert into leads or sales. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Give only one option. /wp:heading wp:paragraph It is an exercise in simplicity and efficiency. The goal is to give your users no choice but to convert, so you should offer them only one way. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If there are multiple ways users can do something or buy something, they will be confused about which method works best for them. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You run the risk of losing their attention or interest altogether. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Be descriptive /wp:heading wp:paragraph A CTA goal should be brief, descriptive, and to the point. It should tell people exactly what action you want them to take next and how it fits into their overall goal. Here's the breakdown of what this means: /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Action. Describe the action users should take. It could be simple: buy now, sign up, or check out my website. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Results. Describe the impact of the action. Say you sell sunglasses, your CTA might say something like getting $20 off your next order when you buy today! It tells people what they can expect if they click through. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Benefits. Explain why this action is beneficial (and don't forget about longer-term benefits). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If someone buys a product from your e-commerce store after clicking through from an email campaign, ensure you explain how easy it is to return or exchange items. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It helps increase customer satisfaction and keeps them coming back for more purchases. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If a user signs up for an account on your website, let them know there will be discounts available only for members in future emails. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It ensures they know that signing up is worth their time investment. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The more specific you can be with your CTAs, the better your conversion rate will be because users know what they'll get when they click them. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On Page SEO Checklist -- YMYL & E-E-A-T /wp:heading wp:heading {"level":3} ### E-E-A-T quality rating /wp:heading wp:paragraph E-E-A-T stands for experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It is a quality rating system that combines three factors: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Experience (E) the experience a content writer have in any subject. - Expertise (E). The level of knowledge, education, have in any subject. - Authoritativeness (A). How authoritative a site or piece of content is to its audience. You can measure it by the number of [backlinks](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/backlinks-ranking-on-page-one/) and the reputation of those who link to it. - Trustworthiness (T). It refers to how trustworthy or reliable you think a particular piece of information depends on your opinion about its author's expertise, knowledge base, and credibility. /wp:list wp:paragraph You can think of each of these things as a piece that makes up your overall credit score. The more expert you are in your field, the higher your expertise score will be. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When you cite authoritative sources on your website and social media accounts, the higher your authority score will be /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The more trusted content you publish (and share), your trustworthiness score will be higher. All three components combine to form an overall credibility score that Google uses to rank pages on its results pages (SERPs). /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### YMYL -- Your Money or Your Life /wp:heading wp:paragraph YMYL stands for Your Money or Your Life. It's a term used by Search Engines to denote sites that have a high level of trust, authority, and expertise. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It refers to content directly impacting the reader's finances, health, safety, and well-being. A good example would be a mortgage broker who publishes pages on their website about what kind of house you should buy or how much money you need to save up for the down payment. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph YMYL is essential because Google has stated that they want people searching online to get high-quality information when they type something into the search bar of their browser window. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph They also ensure users don't fall victim to scams or fraud when looking for solutions online. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, if your website provides answers about health conditions without medical training, it could negatively impact your site's ranking on SERPs. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Why is YMYL important? /wp:heading wp:paragraph The goal of any website is to provide valuable resources for users to make informed decisions about their lives. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Whether it's buying products or services, getting advice about disease prevention and treatment options, etc., all while providing high-quality information for users. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## On-Page SEO Checklist - User Experience /wp:heading wp:paragraph UX, or user experience, is the holistic approach to ensuring users have a good experience when interacting with your product. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph User experience is about ensuring that visitors can easily find what they're looking for and how easy or difficult it is to use your website or app. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's easy to understand why this is important: customers won't stay if they don't enjoy using your product. But what is a good experience? Well, some things can negatively impact UX and make it less than stellar for users. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Do not distract with intrusive interstitials. /wp:heading wp:paragraph You've been here before: you land on a website, and a box pops up asking you to subscribe or asking for your email address to view the content. It is an intrusive interstitial and increasingly common phenomenon on the web. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It can be annoying when these popups get in your way while you are trying to read something. They can make it hard to find the content you want. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Too many popups? /wp:heading wp:paragraph Popups are not suitable for the user experience. A popup that asks you to subscribe or sign up for something is another, but a popup that crashes your browser or forces you to download software is another. Popups can also be a distraction from what you're doing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Too many popups are also nasty for security because they increase the risk of identity theft by forcing users into making quick decisions about whether they want information from unverified sources. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph They take away from the user experience by being intrusive and distracting. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Some users may not use services altogether because they don't want to compromise their personal information. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Do not use auto-playing videos. /wp:heading wp:paragraph Auto-playing videos are a significant annoyance, and there's more than one way to combat them. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In Chrome, you can turn off auto-playing videos in your browser settings under Privacy and click Content settings. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You can also install extensions that stop YouTube from playing videos automatically. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For Firefox users, you can use an extension that stops most auto-playing videos from playing on your computer (including YouTube videos). /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"level":3} ### Avoid slow page load times. /wp:heading wp:paragraph Pages that take too long to load are highly annoying for users, especially on mobile devices. These factors affect your page speed: server response time, network latency, and browser rendering time. /wp:paragraph wp:list - Server response time. It is how long it takes for your server to send data back to the browser once a visitor has requested it or user action (like clicking on a link). - Network latency. The amount of time it takes for data packets to travel between two locations over a network connection (such as an Internet connection). - Browser rendering time. The amount of time a web browser spends rendering elements like images or scripts. /wp:list wp:paragraph UX is a big deal, and it's crucial to ensure your website or app doesn't get in the way of users doing what they want. If your product has poor UX, people will be frustrated and leave. It may It's small changes can make a big difference in how people perceive your site. /wp:paragraph wp:heading ## Conclusion /wp:heading wp:paragraph This SEO checklist has given you a few things to consider in your on-page SEO. It's It's it's an excellent place to start. Remember that the key to SEO isn't just writing great content; it's also making it easy for Google and users to read and understand. Take these on-page SEO checklist tips into account as you write your next piece, and keep experimenting with different approaches until you find what works best for your site. /wp:paragraph --- *Lawrence Hitches is an AI SEO consultant in Melbourne and Chief of Staff at StudioHawk, Australia's most awarded SEO agency. Agent edition of this site: https://www.lawrencehitches.com/md/index.md*