BITS OF BERRY WISDOM . SEO CHECKLIST
The on-page SEO checklist.
With so many sites competing for attention, even great content gets overlooked. Stop guessing what works — this actionable checklist makes it easy to optimize every page and help your site stand out.
BEGINNER OR PRO, THIS CHECKLIST HELPS YOU
✦ Improve search engine rankings
✦ Increase organic traffic
✦ Streamline your optimization process
NEED A TARGET KEYWORD FIRST?
Before you start, pick a target keyword for the page you want to optimize. Not sure how? Our guide walks you through it.
THE BASICS
What is on-page SEO?
On-page SEO refers to the strategies and best practices you apply directly to your website’s pages to improve visibility in search results. A comprehensive checklist ensures you never miss a crucial optimization step.
WHY BOTHER
Why use an on-page SEO checklist?
Consistency
Ensure every page follows SEO best practices.
Efficiency
Save time with a repeatable, proven process.
Results
Optimize for higher rankings and a better user experience.
THE CHECKLIST
Key elements of an effective on-page SEO checklist
01
Customize title tags & meta descriptions
Craft a unique, keyword-rich title tag (55–60 characters max) and meta description (155–160 characters max) for every page. These should encourage clicks in search results and give a clear idea of what your content is about.
02
Use SEO-friendly URLs
Make a short, clear URL (3–5 words) using your main keyword. Avoid unnecessary words, numbers, or special characters. Use hyphens to separate words, keep it lowercase, and make sure it reflects the page content and is easy to remember and share.
03
Organize content with header tags
Use only one H1 per page to define the main topic, ideally incorporating your primary keyword. Use H2s and H3s to logically break content into scannable sections and subsections, helping both users and search engines understand the page structure.
04
Structure content for readability & depth
Organize your writing so it’s easy for people and search engines to follow, and include your target keyword in the first paragraph where feasible. There’s no universal minimum word count — review top-ranked pages to gauge the content depth, structure, and format your page should aim for.
05
Add internal and external links
Include at least one internal link to a relevant page on your site and one external link to a high-quality, credible source (set to open in a new tab). Use clear, keyword-rich anchor text — not vague phrases like “click here.” Prioritize linking to the most important pages you want to rank, such as key service or core product pages..
06
Optimize images
Add a main image to your page and use your main keyword in its alt text. Compress image files to speed up load times, and write a simple, clear alt-text description for each image. This helps all users — including those using screen readers — and lets search engines understand your images.
07
Follow E-E-A-T principles
Show real experience, subject-matter expertise, and credibility: identify authors clearly, cite reputable sources, and provide accurate, helpful information. Google uses E-E-A-T in its quality framework, favoring content that reflects genuine experience and authority over thin, keyword-driven pages.
Your free download
Put the checklist into action.
Give your site the best chance to stand out from the competition with a practical, step-by-step guide you can run on every page you publish.