SEO Checklist: Essential Steps to Optimize Your Website for Search Engines
Essential SEO Optimization Checklist
Before Publishing:
Site Information:
- Create a site title under 60 characters with relevant keywords
- Write a unique SEO description (50-300 characters) for your site and each page
- Add distinct SEO descriptions for blog posts, products, and events
- Configure page title formats for browser tabs and search results
Design Elements:
- Add a favicon for brand visibility in search results and browsers
- Create social sharing images for your site and individual pages
- Design a custom 404 page with useful navigation links
- Review content following SEO best practices
Technical Setup:
- Connect a custom domain
- Link social media profiles
- Enable SSL security
- Optimize URL slugs with relevant keywords
- Configure blog post URL structure
Location Settings:
- Add business location details
- Create a Contact page with address and map
- Set up Google Business Profile
Post-Launch Tasks:
- Verify site with Google Search Console
- Submit site for Google indexing
- Connect with Bing Webmaster Tools
- Setup Google Analytics integration
Ongoing Optimization:
Content Management:
- Follow SEO content best practices
- Create URL redirects for changed links
- Maintain regular content updates
- Monitor site analytics and search rankings
Content Best Practices:
Text Optimization:
- Use strategic keywords naturally
- Structure content with proper headings
- Keep text clear and relevant
Image Optimization:
- Add descriptive alt text
- Use readable file names
- Keep images under 500KB
- Maintain total page size under 5MB
Organization:
- implement tags and categories
- Create internal page links
- Use descriptive URL slugs
- Add social sharing images and metadata
Note: Expect temporary ranking fluctuations after making SEO changes. Monitor analytics to track performance and adjust strategy as needed.
Remember to maintain regular content updates and monitor your analytics to ensure continued SEO success. If needed, consider consulting with SEO experts for specialized guidance.