On Page SEO Checklist

On Page SEO Checklist – Optimization Elements of Design

On Page SEO Checklist for Google and Bing

Search engine algorithms, like the ones used by Google and Bing, take into account a substantial variety of website factors which help to determine how and in what order their results or SERPs appear.  Currently, one of the two most critical components of these complex algorithms relies on a set of rules related to on page seo factors.  This blog entry provides an on page seo checklist that identifies the key principles of on page seo that every website or blog owner should diligently, ethically, and perpetually work to enhance.  Whether you choose to manage these and other factors with an in-house search engine optimization expert or if you choose to outsource to an on page seo services firm, these key principles should not be overlooked.

On Page SEO Tactic | Keyword Research

Keyword research and selection is like a conductor leading an orchestra when it comes to on page seo.

1. Keyword Research
The creation of a sustainable on page seo campaign begins with extensive keyword research.  Keyword research involves the use of tools like the Google Keyword Tool to determine broad and long tail keywords that are relevant to the content on your website or blog.  For instance, a broad keyword for a blog offering digital marketing advice could be the keyword “Marketing.”  On the other hand, a longtail keyword for the same blog could be the keyword “Digital marketing blog advice.”  While there are many factors to consider during the keyword research phase, competition, traffic, and likelihood of conversion are critical factors to consider.  The greatest amount of time and effort of any on page seo campaign should be spent on the keyword research phase.  Analogously to a conductor leading an orchestra, keyword research and selection is one and the same to all other on page seo factors.  It is also important to keep in mind that optimizing for the wrong keywords will lead to wasted effort, an unsuccessful campaign, and the need to revisit your work from the beginning.

2. SEO Friendly Site Architecture
Search engine spiders crawl and read your site from top to bottom in a left to right format (unless you are communicating in a language that operates otherwise).  As is the case with other forms of writing, if you read the opening and closing paragraphs of content, in an overarching manner, you should be able to gain a sense of what the author is trying to convey.  The details are usually in the middle.  To some extent, and certainly in relation to the information at the top of the page, search engines want to be able to determine the topic of a site as rapidly as possible.  Therefore, it is wise to include clean navigation elements as well as placing fundamental keyword rich content in the prime areas of your blog or webpage.  A few site architecture concepts to keep in mind:

  • Stick to Standard Link Navigation – No images, JavaScript, or Drop down menus
  • Place valued navigation at the top of the pages
  • Maintain a proper balance of images and flash versus more indexable content
  • Include Breadcrumbs – A path to follow
  • Create a Sitemap
  • Incorporate A Boiler Plate Statement – In a few sentences, tell the world about you.
On Page SEO Tactic | Optimized URLs

Your URLs are like the chapters in your website.

3. Optimize Your URLs
Sticking with the earlier example of writing, a critical on page seo technique is relevantly naming your website URLs.  Most books or other volumes of information contain a table of contents and/or an index.  If you were to skim either of these two indices you would have a very good idea as to what topic the authored works are about.  Think of your URLs as opportunities to label the chapters in your website or blog.  Include keywords that describe what the specific page is about.

4. Title Tag Optimization
This is a reiteration of the above.  Title tags offer the perfect opportunity for sustainable on page seo.  Much like a URL that is followed and indexed as a link, search engines want to be able to trust and learn about your site from the title tags.  Title tags should concisely provide a search engine and your human audience a short phrase about the topic covered on that specific page.

5. Meta Description Optimization
On the other hand, Meta Descriptions are meant to be composed as grammatically correct one or two sentence statements that describe what is covered on the specific page.  Often, search engines will incorporate your descriptions directly into their search results.  Make sure to include your target keyword but, do so in a grammatically correct manner and do not keyword stuff.

Don’t forget that people are reading your blog too.

6. Dual Optimized Body Content – Do Not Forget, You Are Writing For People Too
I am going to keep this short and sweet.  On page seo requires writing for two parties – search engines and people.  Don’t forget either of them.  Sustainable on page seo writing includes fresh content that is fun to read, contains and describes the keyword phrase in a natural fashion, and is definitely grammatically correct.  Do not fall into the trap of only writing for the search engine.  There is a real person out there who you have to entertain.

7. Make Use of Key Tags

  • <h1>, <h2>, <h3> – Headers are big, bold, and beautiful for a reason
  • <img alt=”text”> – This tag is critical to image optimization (see below)
  • <rel=”nofollow”> – On page seo is about optimizing your on page content.  Unless you feel it is important, comments that people make on your blogs should include nofollow tags.

8. Image Optimization
Search engines can make assumptions about an image but, without a bit of guidance, they cannot truly decipher what an image represents.  Image optimization is an underutilized on page seo technique.  Naming conventions, use of an alt tag, and captions are just a few of the ways to optimize an image for both of your intended audiences.

9. Digital Asset Optimization
Whether you are thinking about including a video, widget, or any other digital asset on your website or blog, make sure you take the time to research the unique seo techniques for each asset.  Many of the aforementioned on page seo techniques like proper naming conventions and title tags can be applied to other forms of content.  Once again, it comes down to taking the time to conduct advance research on the keywords and the techniques.

I hope this on page seo checklist is of help.  If you would like assistance with your on page seo efforts, please feel free to contact Pop Results. We welcome the opportunity to help you.

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