Having a solid online presence is incredibly important for businesses to succeed, especially now more than ever. And when it comes to improving visibility and driving organic traffic to your website, search engine optimization (SEO) plays a critical role. But with many factors to consider and constant updates to search engine algorithms, it can be overwhelming for website owners to navigate the world of SEO. In this helpful guide, we share with you an ideal SEO checklist for all types of business owners to follow so that you can increase your brand awareness, optimize your website, and increase organic traffic to your site.
Set Up Data Tracking
Before we begin, let’s first talk about a crucial initial action: establishing data-tracking tools. Our top picks? Google Analytics and Google Search Console! These tools offer invaluable insights into your website’s performance, allowing you to make informed decisions to refine your SEO strategy.
Google Analytics provides a comprehensive view of your website’s traffic, audience demographics, and user behavior. This tool will help you learn more about who your audience is and how they found you.
On the other hand, Google Search Console focuses on a site’s visibility in Google. This tool will give you better insight into your site’s presence in search results, highlighting indexing issues, keyword performance, and opportunities for enhancement.
This dynamic duo enables you to make informed, data-driven decisions that shape your SEO strategy. By keeping an eye on essential metrics, you’ll uncover areas of strength, weakness, and untapped potential, paving the way for improved visibility in search engine rankings.
Your On-Page Keyword Research
Targeted keywords are your passageway to connecting with the right audience. By strategically incorporating relevant keywords into your website, blog, and even social media posts, you can align your content with the search intent of your target audience. But how do you kickstart this process?
1. Identify Target Keywords or Phrases
First, start by brainstorming terms related to your business, products, or services. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush can assist in finding relevant keywords or phrases. These tools not only help generate ideas but also provide valuable data on keyword search volume, competition, and other insights. Consider long-tail keywords for niche targeting and understanding user intent behind the searches.
2. Adding Keyword To Your Title Tag
Your title tag holds significant weight for both search engines and people browsing. Create a concise, engaging title that incorporates your main keyword. Aim for a length of 50-60 characters to ensure it looks great and grabs attention on search engine results pages (SERPs).
3. Optimizing Your H1 Tag
Typically, the H1 tag stands out as the largest text size across your website’s pages. Try to keep your H1 between 20 to 70 characters, include your target phrase or keyword, and avoid using duplicate H1 tags throughout your site.
4. Writing a Unique Meta Description
Although not a direct ranking factor, a well-written meta description impacts click-through rates. Include the keyword naturally while providing a concise, informative summary that encourages users to click.
5. Integrate Keyword In Your Body Copy
Create high-quality, valuable content that naturally incorporates your target keyword. Your target keyword should appear once every 100-150 words. This includes close variants of a keyword. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on creating engaging content that satisfies user intent.
6. Use Subheaders on Your Site
Break your content into easily understandable sections by using subheaders like H2 or H3. These act as guideposts, making it simpler for readers to navigate through your material. This not only helps your content flow smoothly but also assists search engines in grasping the structure and relevance of your content. It’s like organizing a book with clear chapter titles—making it easier for everyone to find what they’re looking for while keeping the content engaging and organized.
7. Internal Links Within Your Site For Easy Navigation
Utilizing internal links within your content is a valuable strategy that enhances user experience and boosts your site’s SEO performance. These links connect different pages within your website, guiding your visitors to relevant information, improving navigation, and encouraging them to explore further. They assist search engines in understanding the structure of your site, distribute page authority and relevance throughout your content, and boost the visibility of key pages.
8. Adding Alt Text to Your Images
Describe images using concise yet descriptive alt text, including relevant keywords where appropriate. This not only enhances accessibility for users with visual impairments but also contributes to SEO by providing context to search engine crawlers.
Technical SEO Checklist
Similar to the impact of on-page keyword research on your site’s SEO, addressing the technical aspects within your SEO checklist is crucial. Ensuring your website is easily accessible, secure, and optimized sets the stage for user satisfaction and positive experiences. Here are a few things you should constantly be checking:
1, Site Speed Optimization
Google highly values the loading speed of websites. A slow-loading site can negatively impact user experience and lead to higher bounce rates. Faster load times not only contribute to better search engine rankings but also enhance user satisfaction.
Making it essential to regularly monitor and improve your site’s speed using tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.
2. Mobile-Friendly
Having a mobile-friendly website significantly impacts SEO. Typically, in mobile search results, websites that are compatible with mobile devices tend to outrank those that are not.
3. 404 Errors and Redirects
Regularly monitor your site for broken links and ensure they redirect to relevant pages or a custom 404 error page. Implementing 301 redirects for outdated or removed content helps retain link equity and ensures users are guided to the right destination.
4. HTTPS and Security
SSL certificates validate the authenticity of your site and protect sensitive information exchanged between users and the server. This enables Google to confirm the site’s security and guarantee the safety of users’ information, establishing it as an official ranking factor for Google.
The Finishing Touch
Taking care of your website’s SEO is crucial for standing out online. By meticulously addressing both on-page keyword strategies and technical optimizations, you pave the way for enhanced visibility and positioning on Google. Regularly checking and refining your SEO checklist, including keyword research, content optimization, and technical enhancements, is key to securing a competitive edge online.
To start the journey towards enhancing your website’s performance, why not opt for a complimentary SEO audit with us? Get in touch today and fortify your site’s position in search engine rankings.
Jessica is originally from Indiana but moved to Utah to study at BYU. She and her husband love taking their two dogs (Myla and Luca) on hikes to explore and see the beautiful scenery Utah has to offer. Jessica is obsessed with crafts and DIY projects. She can spend hours at Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or even at Dollar Tree just looking for new ideas. She’s also working on the goal of becoming a vegan this upcoming year.
