If you want your website to rank higher in search engine results and attract more qualified traffic, on-page SEO should be a top priority. Unlike off-page SEO tactics like backlinks, on-page SEO gives you direct control over how your content is structured and optimized. The better you optimize each page, the easier it is for search engines to understand your content and the more likely it is to appear in front of your ideal audience.

Whether you’re publishing a new blog post, launching a product page, or refreshing your service pages, this on-page SEO checklist will help ensure your content is built to perform.

1. Page Titles (Title Tags)

Your page title is one of the most important on-page SEO elements. It’s the first thing users and search engines see. A well-written title tag should:

• Include your target keyword close to the beginning
• Stay under 60 characters to avoid being cut off in search results
• Be descriptive and enticing enough to encourage clicks

Example: Instead of “Home | ABC Company,” try “Affordable Plumbing Services in Ann Arbor | ABC Company.”

2. Meta Descriptions

While meta descriptions don’t directly affect rankings, they impact click-through rates. A clear, compelling meta description encourages users to visit your site.

Tips for writing better meta descriptions:

• Keep it under 160 characters
• Include your primary keyword naturally
• Focus on user benefits or what they’ll find on the page

3. Headings (H1, H2, H3 Tags)

Headings structure your content for both readers and search engines.

• Use one H1 per page—usually the main title or headline
• Use H2s for subtopics, and H3s for further details or lists
• Include keywords where appropriate, but don’t overdo it

This not only improves readability but also helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your content.

4. URL Structure

Clean, concise URLs are easier for both users and search engines to read. Best practices for SEO-friendly URLs:

• Keep them short and descriptive
• Use hyphens to separate words
• Include your target keyword if possible

Example: www.yoursite.com/seo-checklist instead of www.yoursite.com/page?id=23451

5. Keyword Placement

Use your primary keyword naturally in key locations:

• Title tag
• Meta description
• H1 heading
• First 100 words of the content
• At least one subheading (H2 or H3)
• URL (if possible)
• Image alt text

Don’t force keywords. Your text should still feel natural and helpful to the reader.

6. Internal Linking

Internal links help search engines crawl your site and distribute link authority. They also help users navigate your content more effectively.

• Link related blog posts, service pages, or products
• Use descriptive anchor text (not just “click here”)
• Avoid overloading pages with links; keep it relevant and helpful

7. Image Optimization

Images enhance user experience, but they can also slow down your page if not properly optimized.

• Compress image files to reduce load times
• Add alt text that describes the image (including keywords when appropriate)
• Use descriptive file names (e.g., ann-arbor-seo-checklist.jpg instead of IMG0034.jpg)
• Ensure images scale correctly on mobile

8. Mobile-Friendliness

Google now uses mobile-first indexing, which means it primarily uses the mobile version of your site for ranking and indexing. Make sure your page:

• Has a responsive design that adapts to any screen size
• Loads quickly on mobile devices
• Has buttons and navigation that are easy to tap

Test your site’s mobile performance using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.

9. Page Speed and Core Web Vitals

Slow-loading pages are frustrating for users and can hurt your rankings. Improve your page speed by:

• Compressing images and code
• Minimizing unnecessary plugins or scripts
• Using a reliable web hosting provider
• Leveraging browser caching and content delivery networks (CDNs)

Google’s Core Web Vitals also measure loading, interactivity, and visual stability, all of which are important factors for SEO performance.

10. High-Quality Content

Ultimately, content is the core of your SEO success. Search engines aim to serve users the most relevant, useful information, so it’s important that your content delivers.

What defines high-quality content?

• Answers your audience’s questions clearly
• Is original, accurate, and up to date
• Includes multimedia (images, videos, infographics, etc.)
• Is easy to scan with short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear formatting
• Contains a clear call to action (CTA)

Avoid keyword stuffing or writing just for search engines. Focus on the value you are providing to real humans.

Bonus Tip: Schema Markup (Structured Data)

Adding schema (structured data) helps search engines better understand your page and can lead to rich snippets in search results (e.g., reviews, product details, FAQs). This can improve visibility and click-through rates. Tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper make implementation easier.

Final Thoughts

On-page SEO isn’t just a checklist; it’s a foundational part of your digital strategy. By optimizing these 10 key elements on every page, you’ll create a better experience for your users and improve your visibility on search engines. Whether you’re a small local business or an established brand, strong on-page SEO helps you compete online more effectively.

Need help implementing these strategies on your site? Fivenson Studios offers comprehensive SEO services tailored to your business goals. Contact us today to get started.