Here is a comprehensive SEO checklist that covers essential aspects of search engine optimisation. Go through the list one by one and make sure you have completed the actions to ensure your best possible SEO outcomes.
Keyword research and selection
- Identify target keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business and have a good search volume.
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find keyword ideas.
On-page optimisation
- Ensure that the target keywords are included in the page title, meta description, headers, and body copy.
- Use descriptive and compelling title tags and meta descriptions that entice searchers to click on your page.
- Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content and make it easy to read.
- Use internal linking to help search engines discover and index your content.
Technical SEO
- Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and has a fast load time.
- Optimise images by compressing them and using descriptive file names and alt tags.
- Use HTTPS encryption to secure your website and boost trust with users.
- Set up a sitemap.xml file and submit it to Google Search Console to help search engines discover and index your pages.
Content creation and optimisation
- Publish high-quality, original content that provides value to your audience. Hint: use my Blank to Brilliant course to help.
- Use relevant keywords throughout your content, but avoid keyword stuffing.
- Write content that is easy to read, engaging, and includes multimedia elements like images and videos.
- Regularly update your website with fresh, new content and professional website copywriting.
- Go through old/existing content and update with onsite optimisation.
Link building
- Develop a link-building strategy that includes acquiring backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry.
- Use guest blogging, broken link building, or other tactics to earn high-quality links to your website.
- Monitor your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs or Moz to identify and disavow low-quality or spammy links.
Local SEO (if applicable)
- Claim and optimise your Google My Business listing.
- Optimise your website for local keywords and include your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business page and other relevant directories.
Tracking and analysis
- Set up Google Analytics to track website traffic
- Set up Google Search Console to monitor search engine performance.
- Monitor critical metrics like organic traffic, keyword rankings, bounce rate, and conversion rate.
- Use the data to identify areas for improvement and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly.
Mobile optimisation
- Ensure your website is mobile-responsive and renders correctly on different devices.
- Optimise your website’s load time for mobile devices by compressing images, reducing the number of redirects, and using a content delivery network (CDN).
- Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check if your website is optimised for mobile devices.
Site structure and navigation
- Ensure that your website has a straightforward and easy-to-use navigation menu that allows users to find the information they need.
- Use breadcrumb navigation to help users understand where they are on your website and how to navigate back to previous pages.
- Use a logical URL structure that reflects the hierarchy of your website’s pages.
User experience
- Ensure that your website’s design and layout are visually appealing and easy to navigate.
- Use clear, concise language that is easy to understand.
- Optimise your website for fast load times to reduce bounce rates.
- Include calls to action (CTAs) that encourage users to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.
Ecommerce optimisation (if applicable)
- Optimise product pages by including detailed descriptions, images, and customer reviews.
- Use schema markup to provide search engines with more detailed information about your products.
- Use a clear and user-friendly checkout process to reduce cart abandonment rates.
Local search optimisation (if applicable)
- Ensure that your website includes your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page.
- Create local business listings on relevant directories, such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places for Business.
- Use schema markup to provide search engines with more detailed information about your business, such as your hours of operation and customer reviews.
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Social media integration
- Integrate social media sharing buttons on your website to make it easy for users to share your content.
- Use social media channels to promote your content and drive traffic to your website.
- Monitor social media conversations to identify opportunities for engagement and brand building.
Competitor analysis
- Identify your top competitors and analyse their websites and SEO strategies.
- Look for opportunities to improve their tactics, such as targeting keywords they are missing or creating more in-depth content.
- Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to conduct a backlink analysis of your competitors’ websites and identify potential link-building opportunities.
Voice search optimisation
- Optimise your content for voice search queries by targeting long-tail keywords and natural language phrases.
- Use structured data to help search engines better understand your content and provide more detailed information to voice assistants.
- Make sure your website’s load time is fast, as voice searches tend to have higher expectations for speed and convenience.
Video optimisation
- Create high-quality videos that provide value to your audience and align with your target keywords.
- Use descriptive titles, descriptions, and tags to help search engines understand the content of your videos.
- Host videos on your website or a reputable video platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo, to drive traffic to your website.
By undertaking all these items on your SEO checklist, you can ensure that you are taking a comprehensive approach to optimising your website for search engine performance and user experience. And start to get those mindblowing results that you’ve been dreaming of.
