On-page SEO refers to optimizing individual web pages to improve their rankings in search engines. While off-page SEO focuses on building links, on-page SEO is all about creating the best possible user experience on each page.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover a detailed 80+ point on-page SEO checklist to take your pages to the next level.
What is On-Page SEO?
On-page SEO refers to optimizations made directly on a web page to improve its search performance. This includes areas like:
- Page speed
- Mobile-friendliness
- Content
- Media
- HTML tags
- Links
- URL structure
By going through this on-page SEO checklist on each page, you can better optimize pages to rank for target keywords.
On-page SEO sets the foundation. Off-page SEO through link building is still crucial for rankings, but can only complement strong on-page SEO.
Think of on-page SEO as doing everything possible directly on each page to make the user experience exceptional. This serves both users and search engines.
Let’s dive into the checklist.
1. Performance Tracking
To start, you need tracking in place to measure SEO success:
- Install Google Analytics – Essential for monitoring organic traffic and conversions.
- Track target keywords – Use a tool like Ahrefs to monitor keyword rankings. Focus on 3-5 target keywords per page.
Without tracking, you’re optimizing blindly. Analytics and rank tracking allow you to test changes and improve pages systematically.
2. Crawlability & Indexing
If search engines can’t access your pages, nothing else matters. Ensure your pages can be crawled and indexed:
- Fix crawl errors – Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify and fix issues blocking crawlers.
- Check indexing – Verify pages are indexed in Google by searching for site:yourdomain.com.
- Reduce depth – Keep page depth under 3 clicks; reformat site architecture if needed.
Resolve fundamental crawl and indexation issues first. Otherwise, search engines won’t “see” your pages.
3. keywords
Thorough keyword research underpins your on-page strategy:
- Research difficulty – Use Ahrefs to analyze keyword difficulty and competition.
- Avoid cannibalization – Target one primary keyword per page to prevent dilution.
- Match intent – Craft pages to match informational, transactional, or navigational intent.
Choose achievable, high-value keywords, and focus optimization efforts around them.
4. Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
Optimizing your page titles and meta descriptions improves click-through-rates:
- Include target keyword – This helps search engines understand the page’s focus.
- Write compelling titles – Use emotional hooks, numbers, or modifiers like “best” to improve CTR.
- Keep under 60 characters – Long titles often get cut off in SERPs.
- Include branding – Having your brand visible builds familiarity.
- Make meta descriptions descriptive – Summarize the essence of the content.
Well-optimized titles and meta descriptions draw more clicks from SERPs.
5. Headings (H1, H2, H3)
Proper heading structure improves page scannability:
- Single H1 tag – Only one H1 per page. This is the page title.
- Organize headings logically – H1 to H2 to H3 flow shows the logical hierarchy.
- Use keyword variations in headings – Support primary keywords with related phrases.
- Keep headings brief – Concise headings make content scannable.
Structure your content linearly using clear headings to make your page more readable.
6. Content-Length & Quality
Creating excellent, in-depth content solves user needs and engages readers.
- Make content better than competitors’ – Provide more value through depth, analysis, images, etc.
- Write naturally – Don’t just target a word count. Focus on useful info.
- Improve existing content – Refresh old content instead of continually creating new pages.
Search engines reward pages that satisfy search intent with engagement and expertise.
7. Media Optimization
Images, videos, and graphics make content more engaging and shareable:
- Include images – Relevant royalty-free images improve page experience.
- Optimize images – Use descriptive file names, compress images, and provide ALT text.
- Add videos – Embed videos to increase engagement.
- Make media responsive – Images and videos should be resized for mobile.
Leveraging rich media makes pages stand out while improving understanding.
8. Link Optimization
Links pass authority and help search engines crawl your site:
- Include internal links – Link to related content using keywords as anchor text.
- Fix broken links – Remove or update broken links regularly.
- Open external links in new tabs – This retains visitors by keeping them on your site.
- Use descriptive anchor text – Avoid generic phrases like “click here”; embed keywords.
Links give search engines signals about your page’s topic and authority.
9. URL Structure
A clean URL structure enhances user experience:
- Include target keywords – Having keywords in URLs can boost rankings.
- Remove unnecessary parameters – Trim redundant query strings and underscores.
- Use hyphens for word separation – Underscores are sometimes interpreted as spaces or breaking links.
Short, descriptive URLs are easy to understand and share.
10. User Experience Factors
Optimizing site speed, mobile friendliness, and navigation dramatically improve user experience:
- Improve page speed – Faster sites have higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and improved conversions. Use tools like GTmetrix to optimize.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness – Most searches now happen on mobile devices. Avoid interstitials and small text.
- Implement SSL sitewide – SSL encryption provides security and trust.
- Avoid popups – Aggressive popups cause frustration and increase bounce rates.
- Pick readable fonts – Optimize typography so visitors can consume information easily.
Give users a seamless experience across devices to reduce bounce rates.
11. Local SEO (If Applicable)
For location-based searches, ensure you optimize for local SEO:
- Prominently display business name, address, and phone – This helps search engines understand your business location(s).
- Use structured data for address – Markups like schema.org help search engines interpret your data.
When targeting local searches, local SEO optimizations are necessary.
12. Structured Data
Adding structured data provides search engines with page context:
- Use structured data for addresses – As mentioned above, markup your business address using schema.org.
- Implement structured data sitewide – Product schema, article schema, event schema, etc. can be leveraged.
- Test implementation with Structured Data Testing Tool – Ensure your structured data shows no errors.
Well-implemented structured data satisfies search engine guidelines.
13. Expertise, Authoritativeness & Trust (EAT)
Providing expertise boosts page authority and trust:
- Avoid questionable advice – Be ethical and accurate, especially for industries like finance or health.
- Cite credible sources – Link to authoritative sources when referencing data, quotes, or concepts.
- Show author credibility – Write detailed author bios and provide media/social links.
Demonstrating expertise and authority satisfies search engine guidelines for accuracy.
14. Goal Conversions
Optimizing pages to drive conversions and engagement positive signals:
- Include clear CTAs – Calls-to-action should match visitor intent at that stage.
- Make sharing easy – Adding social sharing buttons helps pages get links organically.
The better your pages convert, the more likely search engines are to reward them.
15. Design Factors
A clean, modern design elevates the user experience and brand image:
- Ensure a responsive layout – Site width should adjust smoothly across all devices.
- Use minimalist navigation – Concise menus help users find information quickly.
- Update designs periodically – Keep the look and feel fresh and modern.
Good design shows you respect your audience and craft professional experiences.
Read Also: The Ultimate Guide on Guest Blogging
Conclusion
This comprehensive on-page SEO checklist covers all the essential optimizations for higher rankings. From speed and mobile-friendliness to rich content and smart linking, these best practices enable you to create high-quality pages tailored to target keywords.
While off-page SEO remains crucial, mastering on-page SEO allows you to maximize the impact of your link-building efforts. By providing immense value to visitors, your pages will convert better while satisfying search engine guidelines.
Optimizing your website is an ongoing process. Use this on-page SEO checklist as your roadmap, and continue improving page by page. Incorporate these tips into every new page on your site to maximize search visibility.
Want an expert audit of your website’s on-page optimization? Our team can analyze your site and provide concrete recommendations to improve SEO. Contact us to learn more!