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SEO Checklist: Complete Guide to Optimize Your Site for Search Engines
Basic SEO Optimization Guide
Optimize your site for search engines by implementing these essential steps before and after launch.
Pre-Launch Optimization
Site Information:
- Create a descriptive site title (under 60 characters)
- Write a concise site description (50-300 characters)
- Add unique SEO descriptions for each page
- Format page titles correctly for browsers and social media
Design Elements:
- Upload a browser icon/favicon
- Add social sharing images
- Create a custom 404 page with useful navigation
- Review all content for SEO best practices
Technical Setup:
- Connect a custom domain
- Link social media profiles
- Enable SSL security
- Optimize URL slugs
- Configure blog post URL format
Location Information:
- Add business location details
- Create and verify Google Business Profile
- Include contact information and map (for physical locations)
Post-Launch Tasks
Verification Steps:
- Set up Google Search Console
- Submit site for Google indexing
- Verify with Bing Webmaster Tools
- Connect Google Analytics
Ongoing Maintenance:
- Regularly update content
- Create URL redirects when needed
- Monitor site analytics
- Track search rankings
Content Optimization
Text Best Practices:
- Use strategic keywords naturally
- Structure content with proper headings
- Write clear, valuable content
- Include relevant internal links
Image Optimization:
- Add descriptive alt text
- Use readable file names
- Keep images under 500KB
- Maintain total page size below 5MB
Collection Management:
- Add social sharing images
- Include SEO descriptions
- Use tags and categories
- Customize URL slugs
Note: Rankings may fluctuate initially after optimization. Allow 1-2 weeks for search engines to index changes before making additional adjustments.
Monitor analytics regularly and update content strategically to maintain and improve search visibility over time.
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