The Ultimate On-Page SEO Checklist

To really shine on Google and other search engines, it's important to have a content strategy and demand generation plan that focuses on SEO. The aim is to create content that speaks to your audience, answers their questions and guides them to your solutions. Take a look at our top tips to help your content stand out and rank well.

Choose One Keyword Per Page

The keyword that you choose should be relevant to your content and pertain to what your target audience is searching for. Choose a keyword that balances these two factors, as well as its volume and keyword difficulty.

Consider how competitive the keyword is and whether your content can realistically rank for it, especially if you're just starting to build your online presence. It’s also a good idea to research the search intent behind the keyword to ensure your content provides the information or solution that searchers are looking for. Additionally, long-tail keywords can be beneficial for targeting a more specific audience and increasing your chances of ranking higher in search results.

URLs

Try to implement your chosen keyword into the page's URL. In theory, the user should be able to look at a URL and determine what the page is about. The URL should also be within 70 characters. 

Make sure to keep the URL clean and simple, avoiding unnecessary words or characters that could confuse users or search engines. Use hyphens to separate words, as this improves readability and helps search engines understand the content more easily. Also, avoid using special characters or numbers unless they are essential to the URL structure.

Blog Post Title (Title Tag)

Incorporate the keyword into the title and stay within 70 characters or shorter. Again, ensure that the keyword and title match the page's content. Keep your keyword as close to the front of the title tag as possible. 

If you have an opportunity to customize your headline and title tag, take it! Your headline should incorporate your keyword but feel more user-friendly, whereas your title tag is built for search engines, so it can be more straightforward. 

Meta Description

This is the descriptive sentence shown in search results under the title that explains the content of that specific web page. Make this enticing as a short description of the content, and use the keyword once within the characters allowed (which should be no more than 160 characters). 

Focus on highlighting the value or unique aspect of your content to make it compelling for searchers. Use action-oriented language that encourages clicks, and ensure the description accurately reflects what users will find on the page. Keep it concise, but don’t sacrifice clarity to do so. Make sure it provides a clear sense of what readers can expect.

Header Tags (This is One!)

Text in the header tags holds more weight both visually and for search engines. Try to include your keyword in the H1 or H2 of your page, but vary the messaging so that it feels more natural. It’s good to consider your content in sections, each with a varying H2. 

Using your keyword strategically in header tags can help search engines understand the content hierarchy of your page. Make sure your H1 is clear and specific, while H2s should break down the main ideas into manageable sections for readability. This not only enhances the user experience but also provides an SEO boost. Additionally, ensure your headers guide the reader through the content in a logical and engaging way, keeping them interested and informed.

Keyword Usage

Use your keyword within the first 100 or so words of your post to signal to search engines that your content is applicable to what the user was looking for and to keep your reader on page. Avoid keyword stuffing, which is when you over-optimize a piece of content to force an overflow of keywords in a short body of copy. 

Instead, aim for a natural and engaging opening that introduces the topic while weaving in your keyword seamlessly. Make sure your keyword placement feels organic and enhances the content’s readability. Additionally, focus on capturing your reader’s interest early on with a strong hook or intriguing statement that encourages them to continue reading. Prioritize quality and relevance, using variations of your keyword to support a well-rounded, user-friendly piece.

Image Alt Tag

If your page has an image, try to use the keyword naturally within this short description of the image. The descriptions help with accessibility and SEO by helping readers understand what the image shows.

Ensure that the alt text provides a clear and concise description of the image while incorporating the keyword in a natural way. Keep the text relevant and avoid keyword stuffing, as this could make the description sound forced or unnatural. Remember, the primary purpose of alt text is to improve accessibility, so prioritize making the description meaningful and helpful for users who rely on screen readers.

Links

Within the body text, use hyperlinks to link to related content (both on and off your domain). While linking off to your site may seem counterintuitive, it will prove your credibility and build trust with your readers and search engines, which is particularly useful if you use credible statistics from an authoritative site.

LSI Keywords

LSI (Latent Semantic Index) keywords are terms that search engines deem semantically similar to your chosen keyword. You can find these keywords in the “searches related to” section at the bottom of a search results page. 

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