SEO Checklist

Boost your website's ranking with my comprehensive SEO checklist. From indexing and mobile optimization to content strategy and technical SEO, follow these essential steps to ensure your site performs well in search engines and delivers a great user experience.

SEO Checklist
Photo by Merakist / Unsplash

This SEO checklist is designed to help you improve your website's ranking in search engines, particularly Google. Each item should be checked off as you implement it to ensure your website is optimized for search.

Indexing and Accessibility

  • [ ] Pages can be indexed: Ensure your robots.txt file allows search engines to index your important pages.
  • [ ] No-index for irrelevant pages: Apply noindex to pages you don't want to appear in search results (e.g., admin pages).
  • [ ] Sitemap is available: Submit an up-to-date XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
  • [ ] Robots.txt is correctly configured: Ensure essential pages are crawlable.

Mobile Optimization

  • [ ] Mobile version of the website is available: Use responsive design to ensure your site functions well on mobile devices.
  • [ ] Mobile usability: Test your website's mobile performance and address any issues.

On-Page SEO

  • [ ] Meta titles are optimized: Ensure every page has a unique meta title with target keywords at the beginning.
  • [ ] Meta descriptions are used: Write compelling meta descriptions for each page (not too long and includes keywords).
  • [ ] No meta keywords: Meta keywords are obsolete; do not use them.
  • [ ] Headlines (H1-H6) are used correctly: Use only one H1 per page, followed by descending H2, H3, etc., as appropriate.
  • [ ] Keywords are used naturally in headlines: Incorporate keywords in your headings, but avoid keyword stuffing.

Structured Data

  • [ ] Structured data is implemented: Use schema.org to implement structured data where applicable (e.g., articles, recipes, products, reviews).

Content

  • [ ] No duplicate content: Ensure that there is no duplicate content on your website. Use canonical tags if necessary.
  • [ ] Content is regularly updated: Update your site with fresh, relevant content to keep it engaging for users and search engines.
  • [ ] High-quality content: Content should be valuable, original, and written for users, not search engines.
  • [ ] Content is optimized for target keywords: Use keywords naturally throughout the text, including in the introduction and conclusion.

Images and Media

  • [ ] Images have descriptive alt-text: Ensure all images use descriptive alt attributes with relevant keywords.
  • [ ] Optimize image size: Use appropriate file formats (e.g., WebP) and compress images to improve loading speed.
  • [ ] Internal links are well-structured: Link to relevant pages within your website to improve crawlability and help users navigate.
  • [ ] External links open in new tabs: Ensure external links use target="_blank" for better user experience.
  • [ ] Affiliate links use rel="nofollow" or rel="sponsored": Mark affiliate or paid links to comply with Google’s guidelines.

URL Structure

  • [ ] URLs are short and descriptive: Use simple, human-readable URLs with target keywords.
  • [ ] Canonical tags are used where applicable: Implement canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues.
  • [ ] Redirects are done using 301: Use 301 redirects for permanently moved content to preserve link equity.
  • [ ] No broken links (404 errors): Check for and fix any broken links on your website regularly.

Security and Performance

  • [ ] Website uses HTTPS: Ensure your website is secure by using an SSL certificate.
  • [ ] Page load speed is optimized: Use tools like PageSpeed Insights to assess and improve your site's loading speed.
  • [ ] Caching and compression are enabled: Utilize browser caching, Gzip compression, and a CDN (Content Delivery Network) to improve page speed.

User Experience (UX)

  • [ ] Core Web Vitals are optimized: Focus on improving Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
  • [ ] Clear navigation structure: Ensure your site’s navigation is user-friendly and logically structured.

Technical SEO

  • [ ] Internal links point to HTTPS version of page: Ensure all internal links use the HTTPS protocol.
  • [ ] No 500-errors: Resolve any server errors that might negatively impact user experience or SEO.
  • [ ] Usage of absolute URLs: Use absolute URLs for internal links to prevent issues with relative URLs.

Analytics and Monitoring

  • [ ] Google Search Console and Analytics are set up: Monitor your site’s performance with Google Search Console and Analytics.
  • [ ] Tracking is GDPR-compliant: Ensure your website’s tracking complies with data privacy laws such as GDPR.

Miscellaneous

  • [ ] Social media integration: Integrate Open Graph and Twitter Cards for better social media sharing previews.
  • [ ] Breadcrumbs are enabled: Implement breadcrumbs for better navigation and SEO.

Advanced Items (Optional but Valuable)

  • [ ] Optimize for voice search: Structure content to answer questions that may be used in voice searches.