Are you looking to optimize your website’s content for search engines to increase traffic and visibility? If so, you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of on-page SEO.
On-page SEO involves optimizing the elements on a webpage or article to improve search engine rankings and increase website traffic.
This article covers the 17 essential SEO elements you need to consider before publishing any type of article or webpage on the internet.
Each element is accompanied by a helpful example that will help you understand how to properly optimize each one for optimal performance.
From conducting keyword research to optimizing images and multimedia elements to including social sharing buttons, this article covers everything you need to know about on-page SEO.
17 On-Page SEO-Friendly Article Checklists Before Publishing An Article With Examples:
✔️ Keyword research and selection:
Before writing an article, you need to conduct keyword research to identify the search terms people are using to find information related to your topic.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs or Lawfruits to find relevant keywords for your article.
For example, if you are writing an article about “best smartphones under $500,” you may find keywords such as “affordable smartphones,” “budget smartphones,” or “mid-range smartphones.”
✔️ Title tag optimization:
The title tag is the most important on-page element for SEO. It should accurately describe the content of your article and contain your target keyword.
Keep it under 60 characters to ensure it displays properly in search results. For example, a good title for the above example could be “Top 10 Affordable Smartphones under $500.”
✔️ Meta description optimization:
The meta description provides a brief summary of your article and should entice users to click through to your website.
Include your target keyword and keep it under 155 characters. For example, “Looking for a high-quality smartphone without breaking the bank? Check out our list of the top 10 affordable smartphones under $500.”
✔️ Keyword usage in the first paragraph:
Include your target keyword within the first 100 words of your article. This helps search engines understand the topic of your content and can improve your search rankings.
✔️ Header tags optimization (H1, H2, H3):
Use header tags to break up your content into sections and make it easier to read. Include your target keyword in at least one header tag (usually H1) to signal to search engines what your content is about.
✔️ URL structure optimization:
Use a descriptive and readable URL structure that includes your target keyword. For example, the URL for the above example could be “example.com/affordable-smartphones-under-500.”
✔️ Internal linking strategy:
Link to other relevant pages within your website to help users find additional information and to signal to search engines what your content is about.
For example, if you have previously written an article about “best budget phones,” you can link to that article within your new article about “best smartphones under $500.”
✔️ Image optimization (file size, alt tags, titles):
Optimize images by compressing them to reduce file size, including alt tags that describe the image content, and giving them descriptive file names that include your target keyword.
For example, the file name for an image of a budget smartphone could be “affordable-smartphone.jpg” and the alt tag could be “Affordable smartphone with a large display and dual cameras.”
✔️ Content optimization (keywords, readability, length):
Use your target keyword naturally throughout your article without overstuffing. Aim for a readable and engaging writing style that is appropriate for your target audience.
Your content should be long enough to cover the topic comprehensively but not so long that it becomes overwhelming for readers. A good article length is typically between 1000-2500 words.
✔️ Presence of target keyword in subheadings:
Use your target keyword in at least one subheading to signal to search engines what your content is about.
For example, if your target keyword is “best smartphones under $500,” you can include a subheading such as “Top 5 budget smartphones under $500” in your article.
✔️ Use of bulleted/numbered lists:
Use bulleted or numbered lists to break up your content and make it easier to read. This can also help search engines understand the structure of your content.
For example, you can use a bulleted list to showcase the features of a smartphone or a numbered list to highlight the steps in a tutorial.
✔️ Inclusion of multimedia elements (video, audio):
Including multimedia elements such as videos, audio clips, or infographics can make your content more engaging and shareable.
This can also improve your website’s user experience and increase the time users spend on your website.
✔️ Authoritative outbound links:
Link to high-quality external sources to provide additional context and credibility to your content. This can also signal to search engines that your content is well-researched and relevant.
✔️ Avoidance of duplicate content:
Avoid publishing duplicate content on your website, as this can result in a penalty from search engines. Ensure that each article you publish is unique and provides value to your audience.
✔️ Inclusion of a table of contents:
Including a table of contents can help users navigate your article and find the information they need more easily.
This can also improve your website’s user experience and increase the time users spend on your website.
✔️ Social media sharing options:
Include social sharing buttons to encourage users to share your content on social media platforms, which can increase visibility and traffic to your website. This can also improve your website’s social signals, which can positively impact your search rankings.
By following these on-page SEO article checklists, you can optimize your content for search engines and improve your website’s visibility and traffic.
Final Thoughts
Search engine optimization (SEO) is key to helping people find your content and ensuring that your website is visible and successful.
By following the on-page SEO article checklist before publishing an article, you can help make sure that your content is optimized for search engines and has the best chance of being found.
This includes conducting keyword research, optimizing the title, meta description, and URL structure, using header tags, including your target keyword in the content, adding multimedia elements and outbound links, and optimizing images.
Following these on-page SEO tips can result in higher visibility, more traffic, and better engagement for your website.
