When you hire Abuzz Creative to design your website, I follow a website SEO checklist during the build. What happens to SEO when the website is yours to manage?
SEO is not a one-time thing.
SEO is always updating and evolving, and Google algorithms are constantly changing.
Most importantly, your website content needs to stay fresh.
Because, Google loves fresh content!
When you take over the WordPress website I built for your business, you need to maintain the SEO practices I used. This is key to keeping your site visible on Google and ranking well in search results.
Website SEO Checklist
There are seven main areas on my website SEO checklist for optimizing your content.
1. Use Keywords Naturally
Keywords are the phrases your customers search for on Google. Using them correctly helps search engines understand your content.
Choose Focus Keyword
- Each page or post should target one main keyword. For example, a bakery might use wedding cakes in Northern Michigan as their focus keyword
Place Keywords Strategically
Include your keyword in:
- Page titles (e.g., Wedding Cakes in Northern Michigan | Your Bakery Name).
- Headings (H1, H2, etc.).
- The first 100 words of your content.
- Meta descriptions (short summary of your page).
- Image alt text (e.g., Wedding cake with flowers from Northern Michigan bakery).
Avoid keyword stuffing. Using the same phrase too often looks spammy and can hurt your rankings.
2. Optimize Images
Large, unoptimized images can slow your site down, which hurts your rankings and user experience.
Resize Images
- Web images should be JPG files which are compressed while maintaining vivid colors.
- PNG files are large so each image takes more disk space and load slowly. Use JPG instead.
Use Descriptive File Names
- Rename files before uploading.
- For example, “IMG1234.jpg” should become website-seo-checklist.jpg
Add Alt Text to Web Images
- Write a short description of the image that includes a keyword. This helps with accessibility and website SEO.
Avoid uploading images directly from your phone or camera without compressing them.
3. Write Engaging Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions appear under your page title in Google search results and help encourage clicks.
Be Concise
- Keep each page description under 155 characters.
Include a Call-to-Action
- Example: Get your website SEO checklist from Northern Michigan’s favorite web designer. Call today!
Use Your Focus Keyword
- Make sure your keyword fits naturally in text for your human readers.
Avoid leaving meta descriptions blank or copying text from the page.
4. Format Content for Readability
Search engines prioritize content that’s easy to read and understand.
Use Headings
- Break up content with H1, H2, and H3 headings.
Write Short Paragraphs
- Keep paragraphs to 2-3 sentences.
Add Bullet Points or Lists
- Bullet points stand out and are easier for website users to scan.
Use Internal Links
- Link to other pages on your site to guide visitors and improve SEO.
Avoid overloading pages with long blocks of text.
5. Keep Content Fresh
Search engines favor websites that update regularly.
Refresh Existing Pages
- Update outdated information or add new sections.
Add New Blog Posts
- Write about common questions, tips, or events related to your business.
Promote Seasonal Offers
- Create pages or blog posts for holidays, sales, or special promotions.
Avoid letting your website sit unchanged for months at a time.
6. Test Links Regularly
Broken links frustrate users and harm your SEO.
Check All Links
- Test links on your website to make sure they’re working.
Fix or Remove Broken Links
- Use tools like Broken Link Checker to identify and fix issues.
Add External Links Sparingly
- Link to reputable websites that add value for your readers.
Avoid linking to low-quality or spammy sites.
7. Monitor Your Website’s Performance
Use free tools to track how your site is doing.
Google Search Console
- Monitor how often your site appears in search results and fix issues like broken pages.
Google Analytics
- Track traffic, popular pages, and visitor behavior.
SEO Plugins
- Tools like Yoast or All in One SEO provide easy-to-follow SEO recommendations for each page.
Avoid ignoring performance data – it can reveal what’s working and what needs improvement.
Fine-Tune Website SEO Checklist
By following this checklist, you’ll maintain the SEO foundation built during your website’s design and will continue to rank well in search results.
Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time task.
Regular updates and following the website SEO checklist will keep your site visible and competitive!
