On-page SEO is the foundation of a well-performing website.
Whether you’re crafting blog posts, service pages, or your homepage, the right optimisations can help your content rise through the ranks on Google.
While there’s no shortage of “experts” claiming to have the ultimate strategy, real success comes from applying proven methods and tracking results.
To save you time and ensure your content is set up for success, I’ve compiled my tried-and-tested 13-point on-page SEO checklist. Let’s dive in!
1. Optimise Your SEO Title Tag
One of the biggest and most frequent mistakes I see with websites is poor optimisation of their SEO title tag for each page.
Google places a lot of weight on the tag and often you can have big wins by knowing what keywords to put in there and how to word it.
How To See a Your Title Tags
The title tag is one of the most important on-page elements. Google weighs it heavily, and with the right tweaks, you can achieve big wins.
How to Check Your Title Tags
- Hover over your browser tab to see the title.
- Use extensions like SEO Meta in 1 Click for quick insights.
- For bulk analysis, tools like Screaming Frog are invaluable.
Best Practices for Title Tags
- Write for both humans and search engines.
- Front-load keywords but avoid overstuffing.
- Add your brand name at the end if possible.
- Keep it catchy to boost click-through rates.
- Stick to 50–70 characters to avoid truncation.
- Use action verbs (e.g., “Buy,” “Learn”) and power words (e.g., “Best,” “Ultimate”).
- Include numbers or the current year for added appeal, if relevant.
Example:
For a women’s clothing store:
“Buy Women’s Dresses Online | Brand Name”
For this blog post:
“My 13-Point On-Page SEO Checklist | Will Mullins SEO Services”
Note: Google may rewrite your title tag based on user behaviour or search intent, so keep monitoring and refining!
2. Craft a Compelling Meta Description
The meta description appears below your title in search results and can be a game-changer for click-through rates – see below:
Tips for Writing Meta Descriptions
- Highlight the benefit of visiting your page.
- Address your target audience’s intent.
- Use your primary keyword (Google often bolds it).
- Include a clear call-to-action.
- Ensure relevance to reduce bounce rates.
Note: Google may dynamically alter your meta description up to 50% of the time, so focus on making the first draft impactful.
3. Use One H1 Tag Per Page
The H1 tag is your main heading and tells Google what the page is about.
H1 Best Practices
- Have only one H1 per page.
- Align it with your page title.
- Incorporate your target keyword naturally.
4. Structure Your Heading Tags Strategically
Headings aren’t just for aesthetics—they guide readers and search engines alike.
How to Structure H Tags:
- H1: Main title.
- H2: Key topics.
- H3: Subtopics under H2s.
- H4–H6: Use sparingly for deeper subtopics.
5. Include at least one image
A page with visuals performs better. Images enhance engagement and signal quality to search engines.
6. Bold Important Keywords
Bolding key phrases can help emphasise content relevance to Google’s algorithm. It’s subtle but effective.
7. Optimise Your URL
A clean, keyword-rich URL is better for both SEO and user experience.
Good Example:
www.mywebsite.com.au/emergency-electrician/
Bad Example:
www.mywebsite.com.au/page123/
Tip: Avoid changing URLs unless absolutely necessary.
8. Use italics strategically
Like bolding, italics can highlight keywords and add subtle emphasis.
9. Strategically Use Keywords in Headings and Copy
Think of headings as chapter titles in a book. Use keywords naturally to provide clarity and context for readers and search engines.
Content optimisation tools like Page Optimizer Pro are excellent for identifying related phrases that can be effectively incorporated into subheadings.
10. Optimise your Images
An optimised image contributes to both page speed and SEO.
Image Optimisation Tips:
- Name files descriptively (e.g., “blue-widgets.jpg”).
- Use alt text to describe the image for accessibility.
- Compress images to reduce load times.
11. Link to External sites
External links add credibility and context. Just ensure they:
- Open in a new tab.
- Point to authoritative, relevant content.
12. Leverage Internal Linking
Guide visitors (and Google) through your site with strategic internal links.
Pro Tips:
- Interlink blog posts within the same topic cluster.
- Link to your most important pages (like service or product pages).
13. Add Schema Markup
Schema markup enhances your site’s visibility by providing additional information to search engines.
Tools to Use:
Conclusion
Mastering on-page SEO can dramatically impact your content’s success.
By following this checklist, you’ll ensure every page is optimised to its full potential. Remember to revisit and refine your strategy as SEO trends evolve.
Happy optimising!