SEO Does Matter Inc.

If you know about search engine optimization, you are probably aware there are a lot of different aspects to getting your website optimized for Google and other search engines. I want to give you a SEO best practices checklist to use with your website!

SEO Best Practices Checklist

1. Look for errors – Search engines don’t like to return to a website that has a bunch of errors.  This task is a little more technical to do but it needs to be done correctly. Use Google Webmaster and correct errors such as broken links, duplicate content or status errors such as 404’s,403’s or 301 redirects.  If you just got lost on this one, I’m sure you have seen websites and clicked on a link that took you to a broken web page. You got a error message or read a message that was very technical that only web developers can understand. The bottom line is this – search engine robots do not like these type of errors either!
2. Use meta tags and keywords – This is a very important aspect of SEO. There are many ways to research for keywords. I won’t get into this because there are many books on this one! To generalize this task, make sure each web page and title tags and descriptions and apply specific keywords related to your niche. If you are lost, contact us! Sometimes it is easier to hire a good SEO company (like us! 🙂 )
3. Use reports to analyze your progress – As any good business or organization does, follow monthly reports such as Google Analytics, to see what relevant keywords are working. There are numerous reports that you can utilize to improve your website!

Use this SEO best practices checklist throughout the year. Continue to correct errors, adding content with keywords. Then look at reports on a monthly basis. Always remember that content is king but it only works if it is unique and is beautifully tied together for the content people are searching for!

Here’s an UPDATED (5/2024) comprehensive SEO Best Practices Checklist to help you optimize your website effectively:

Technical SEO

1. Ensure Mobile-Friendliness:
   • Use responsive design.
   • Test with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
2. Improve Page Speed:
   • Optimize images and use appropriate formats.
   • Minimize CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
   • Enable browser caching.
   • Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
3. Ensure Secure Connection (HTTPS):
   • Install an SSL certificate.
4. Create and Submit XML Sitemap:
   • Use tools like Yoast SEO (WordPress) to generate a sitemap.
   • Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
5. Fix Crawl Errors:
   • Use Google Search Console to identify and fix crawl errors.
   • Ensure robots.txt file is correctly configured.
6. Optimize URL Structure:
   • Use clean, descriptive URLs.
   • Include keywords in URLs where relevant.

On-Page SEO

1. Conduct Keyword Research:
   • Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.
   • Identify relevant, high-traffic keywords.
2. Optimize Title Tags:
   • Include primary keywords.
   • Keep under 60 characters.
3. Optimize Meta Descriptions:
   • Summarize page content.
   • Include keywords.
   • Keep under 160 characters.
4. Use Header Tags Appropriately (H1, H2, H3, etc.):
   • Use H1 for the main title.
   • Use H2 and H3 for subheadings to organize content.
5. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content:
   • Ensure content is original, informative, and valuable.
   • Include relevant keywords naturally.
   • Use multimedia (images, videos) to enhance content.
6. Optimize Images:
   • Use descriptive file names.
   • Add alt text with keywords.
   • Compress images for faster loading.
7. Internal Linking:
   • Link to relevant pages within your site.
   • Use descriptive anchor text.

Off-Page SEO

1. Build High-Quality Backlinks:
   • Guest post on reputable sites.
   • Create shareable content.
   • Engage in outreach and relationship building.
2. Leverage Social Media:
   • Share your content on social media platforms.
   • Engage with your audience.
3. Local SEO (if applicable):
   • Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing.
   • Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across directories.
   • Gather and respond to reviews.

Analytics and Monitoring

1. Set Up Google Analytics:
   • Track website traffic and user behavior.
2. Use Google Search Console:
   • Monitor search performance.
   • Identify and fix issues.
3. Regularly Audit Your Site:
   • Use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs Site Audit.
   • Check for broken links, duplicate content, and other issues.

User Experience (UX)

1. Ensure Easy Navigation:
   • Use clear and intuitive menus.
   • Include a search bar.
2. Improve Readability:
   • Use legible fonts and sizes.
   • Break up text with headings and bullet points.
3. Optimize for Conversions:
   • Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs).
   • Ensure forms are easy to fill out.
4. Maintain Consistent Design:
   • Use consistent colors, fonts, and styles.

Content Strategy

1. Create a Content Calendar:
   • Plan and schedule content creation and publication.
2. Update and Refresh Old Content:
   • Regularly update outdated information.
   • Improve and expand existing content.
3. Monitor Competitors:
   • Analyze competitor content and SEO strategies.
   • Identify gaps and opportunities.

By following this SEO Best Practices Checklist, you can systematically optimize your website to improve search engine rankings, attract more organic traffic, and enhance user experience. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and regular monitoring and updates are essential to maintain and improve your site’s performance.