The Ultimate On-Page SEO Checklist

1. Perform In-Depth Keyword Analysis

• Map Keywords to Match Search Intent: Ensure each page targets a specific keyword that aligns with user intent (informational, navigational, or transactional).
• Cluster Keywords: Group related keywords and their variations to create a topic cluster, boosting relevance and internal linking opportunities.
• Use Long-Tail Keywords: Incorporate long-tail keywords to capture highly specific search queries with lower competition.

Advanced Tip: Analyse competitors’ ranking keywords using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, and identify gaps in your content strategy.

2. Optimise Title Tags for CTR and Rankings

• Include Primary Keywords: Place the target keyword close to the beginning of the title tag.
• Keep Titles Under 60 Characters: Ensure titles are concise and avoid truncation in search results.
• Make It Engaging: Use numbers, brackets, and power words to increase click-through rates (CTR).

Advanced Tip: A/B test different title tags using Google Ads headlines as a testing ground to find the most engaging variations. A key tactic for integrating SEO and PPC!

3. Create Compelling Meta Descriptions

• Incorporate Keywords: Use the target keyword naturally without stuffing.
• Focus on Benefits: Highlight the unique value proposition or benefits to encourage clicks.
• Stay Within Limits: Keep meta descriptions under 155 characters to prevent truncation.

Advanced Tip: Use dynamic meta descriptions for large e-commerce sites by pulling product attributes or benefits programmatically.

4. Structure Your Content with Header Tags (H1-H6)

• Optimise H1 Tags: Each page should have a single H1 tag containing the primary keyword.
• Use Hierarchical Structure: Organise content with H2, H3, and H4 tags to improve readability and keyword relevance.
• Include Keywords: Naturally incorporate keywords in header tags where appropriate.

Advanced Tip: Use secondary keywords and synonyms in subheadings to increase topical relevance and keyword coverage. Need more information on how to use header tags for SEO?

5. Optimise URLs for SEO and Readability

• Keep URLs Short and Descriptive: Use concise, keyword-rich URLs that describe the page content.
• Avoid Special Characters: Use hyphens (-) to separate words and avoid underscores (_), capital letters, spaces, or symbols.
• Include Keywords: Place primary keywords in the URL without keyword stuffing.

Advanced Tip: Implement a clean URL structure that mirrors your site’s hierarchy for better crawlability.

6. Use Internal Linking Strategically

• Anchor Text Optimisation: Use descriptive anchor text that includes relevant keywords.
• Link to Relevant Pages: Interlink related pages to establish topical authority.
• Balance Links: Avoid overloading pages with too many internal links, which can dilute link equity.

Advanced Tip: Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify orphan pages and integrate them into your internal linking structure.

7. Enhance Content for User Engagement

• Match Search Intent: Ensure your content satisfies the intent behind the keyword.
• Include Rich Media: Use images, videos, and infographics to make content engaging and reduce bounce rates.
• Use Structured Data: Add schema markup for FAQs, reviews, and other rich snippets to enhance SERP appearance.

Advanced Tip: Use heatmaps and session recordings for conversion rate optimisation (e.g., Hotjar) to identify areas of low engagement and optimise content accordingly.

8. Optimise Images for SEO

• Use Descriptive File Names: Rename image files with descriptive, keyword-rich names before uploading.
• Add Alt Text: Include keywords in alt text to improve accessibility and search visibility.
• Compress Images: Reduce image file sizes to improve page load speed without compromising quality.

Advanced Tip: Implement WebP format and lazy loading for faster performance and better Core Web Vitals scores.

9. Improve Page Load Speed

• Minimise HTTP Requests: Combine files and reduce the number of plugins.
• Use Browser Caching: Enable caching to speed up repeat visits.
• Optimise Hosting: Use a reliable hosting provider and a content delivery network (CDN).

Advanced Tip: Regularly audit your site’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix and promptly address any issues.

10. Focus on Mobile Optimisation

• Use Responsive Design: Ensure your website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes.
• Simplify Navigation: Make menus and CTAs (calls-to-action) easy to use on mobile devices.
• Optimise for Mobile Speed: Reduce mobile page load times with AMP or by optimising code.

Advanced Tip: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to identify and resolve any mobile usability issues.

11. Add Schema Markup for Rich Results

• Implement Structured Data: Use schema.org markup to highlight FAQs, reviews, events, and product details.
• Focus on Key Pages: Apply structured data to high-priority pages like product pages, blogs, and service pages.

Advanced Tip: Use Google’s Rich Results Test tool to validate your schema implementation and monitor for errors in Search Console.

12. Optimise for Core Web Vitals

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Improve loading speed by compressing images and minimising render-blocking scripts.
• First Input Delay (FID): Optimise server response times and use browser caching.
• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Fix unstable elements by specifying size attributes for images and ads.

Advanced Tip: Monitor Core Web Vitals metrics in Google Search Console and prioritise high-traffic pages for improvements.

13. Monitor Content Freshness

• Update Content Regularly: Refresh outdated content with current data, examples, and insights.
• Add New Sections: Expand on existing content with additional subsections or FAQs.
• Optimise for Trends: Target trending keywords and emerging topics in your niche. You can utilise Google ads data to blend SEO & PPC for improved organic performance!

Advanced Tip: Use historical traffic data to identify pages that are losing organic traffic and prioritise updates for those pages.

14. Leverage External Linking

• Link to Authoritative Sources: Use outbound links to high-quality, relevant sources.
• Avoid Overlinking: Use external links sparingly and only when they add value.
• Set No-Follow When Needed: Apply no-follow tags for links that don’t need to pass link equity.

Advanced Tip: Build relationships with linked sites to encourage reciprocal links and partnerships.

15. Analyse and Optimise Continuously

• Track Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics, Search Console, and heatmaps to monitor SEO metrics.
• Run Regular Audits: Perform monthly audits to identify issues with broken links, duplicate content, or slow-loading pages.
• Test and Iterate: Conduct A/B testing on meta tags, SEO headings, and CTAs to refine performance.

Advanced Tip: Set up automated alerts for significant drops in traffic or rankings to address issues proactively.

We hope you found this on-page SEO checklist helpful!

On-page SEO for advanced marketing professionals is a combination of technical expertise, strategic content creation, and a commitment to user satisfaction. By following this on-page SEO checklist, you’ll ensure your site is optimised not only for search engines but also for the users who matter most. The result? Higher rankings, more engaged visitors, and better conversions.

Need help from the experts? We’re a Melbourne SEO agency that’s hungry for more partners. Contact a friendly member of our team today.