A Checklist of On-Page SEO Best Practices

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Google aims to become the smartest search engine and is succeeding. However, Google needs to understand the content and on-page optimization helps the search engine in this. With a better understanding of your website, Google can enhance your ranking that is essential for to get organic traffic.

What’s On-page SEO?

It is a practice of website and content optimization to gain visibility on Google and rank higher to drive relevant traffic to your webpage. To get it correct right from the start, businesses can choose to hire search engine website optimization experts at The Leading Solutions. It is a digital marketing agency, which has been helping Singaporean businesses improve their website traffic via different online marketing strategies. For on-page SEO they enhance website elements like images, text, and overall user experience.

It is crucial because Google bots can easily evaluate and determine, which content appears in the top search results. The basic signal is that the webpage information is relevant to the keyword as used in the search query. Placing relevant keywords on crucial on-page factors like body, headers, metadata, and images helps the search bots to assess relevancy. 

Besides on-page website optimization helps seekers uncover the most useful content that will resolve their concerns and pain points. 

Checklist of on-page SEO best practices

Website Optimization

It is a known secret that Google rank sites based on their loading speed, as well as sites that are mobile-optimised for users. Thing is, mobile users already surpass desktop users since about 5 days ago. There are multiple things you can do to optimize your website further, check out https://theleadingsolution.com/services/website-optimisation/ for more information on website optimization.

URL optimization

Google has clearly stated that the URLs help to understand a page better. So, in URL optimization –

  • Include primary keyword.
  • Place keyword to the far left in URL.
  • Use genuine words rather than indecipherable terms.
  • Keep them concise.
  • Use a hyphen to separate the words making them more readable.
  • Avoid session IDs but use cookies instead.

Structured data

It is a specific SEO code placed on pages, which helps Google understand the content better. Specifically, structured data set-ups include –

  • Events
  • Articles
  • Books
  • Recipes
  • Movies
  • Local business info
  • Courses
  • Star ratings
  • Job postings

Structured data is directly included in search results and is shown as a ‘rich snippet’. This enhances the chances to gain clicks and visitors. 

Title tags & Meta descriptions

Page titles are a crucial on-page SEO element. The title tag of every page appears as a headline in search results. The meta description is a summary, which appears under the title tag on SERPs. Both help users and search bots understand the page’s purpose. The title tag is a direct ranking factor, while Meta detail is not, but is significant for optimization as it enhances the click-through rates [CTR]. Title tag optimization includes –

  • Place primary keyword closest to the title beginning.
  • The title has to be around 50 to 60 characters.
  • Avoid all caps in title tags.
  • Write an interesting and persuasive and unique title for every page.
  • Include primary keyword in Meta description.
  • Keep Meta description up to 155 characters.

Headers 

Use multiple headers because it helps in SEO. It makes reading and understanding content easy. A block of text causes frustration and readers will quickly abandon the page. H1, H2, H3, etc. helps to enhance user experience, which is a crucial element for Google. Use the primary keyword in two of your headers. In some headers add long-tail keywords to strengthen signals about the all-encompassing topic, which Google adores.

SEO copywriting

The best copywriting techniques best bloggers use include –

  • Write concise yet compelling introductions.
  • Avoid long paragraphs and even sentences.
  • Use subheadings to break longer sections.
  • Incorporate keywords naturally.
  • Align content with the search purpose.
  • Write for readers.
  • Incorporate emotional stories to grab interest.
  • Use target keywords in the first 100 words.

Content that fulfills search intent

Search intent is of four types

  • Informational – Create content that answers their pain points, covers the subject, and makes users understand their problem. 
  • Navigational – Create content using product or brand name because the seeker is looking for a URL they already know. 
  • Commercial – Create content that helps seekers make an informed buying decision. It can include FAQs, pricing comparisons, reviews, photos, etc. 
  • Transactional – Use structured data, so that products are displayed in the Google shopping carousel. Include selling points like wide selection, product quality, discounts, etc. 

Internal linking

It helps Google understand the connection between different site pages. Internal link even helps people uncover more content like a valuable blog post or case study. The internal link network has to be relevant and the anchor text should include the key phrase. 

Image optimization

Image alt tags including relevant keywords help search engines understand images much better. Ensure that the image size does not hinder load speed because it can damage ranking in Google. 

Local SEO

Just because you have done everything you can, such as writing long blogs, taking high quality videos or photos, doesn’t mean you will rank. Local SEO such as Google maps or Google business listings help boost your presence in local SEO. Simple by creating a profile, consistently using the same name and address, you can appear when customers are nearby and are searching for the items you have.

By Linda Davis
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