Curious about how well your website is optimized for search engines? Here’s a quick 10-minute checklist to make sure your site is primed to attract visitors, improve rankings, and keep your audience engaged. Let’s dive in and get your SEO basics in place!
Why Do a Quick SEO Check?
Think of your website as a shop window. You want it to attract people, make them feel welcome, and help them find what they’re looking for. A quick SEO check-up is like straightening up that display, so both search engines and visitors find what they need. Even small changes can make a big difference in visibility.
1. Check Your Page Titles and Descriptions
Unique Titles & Descriptions
Every page should have its own unique title and description, with no copy-pasting across pages. Think of each title and description as an “introduction” to the page’s unique content.
Tool Tip: “Use Google’s SERP Preview Tool to check how your titles and descriptions appear in search results.”
Include Keywords Naturally
Keywords are the words or phrases people search for. Be sure they’re naturally woven into your titles and descriptions—it’s like using the right words to introduce yourself.
Keep It Short and Sweet
Shorter titles (50-60 characters) and descriptions (150-160 characters) are easier to read and the ideal length for search engines.
2. Organize Your Content with Headings
Main Headline (H1)
Each page should have a clear, unique H1 (main headline) that sums up its content, just like a chapter title in a book. Make sure your main heading is both descriptive and inviting.
Subheadings (H2, H3)
Break up sections with subheadings. These make your page easier to skim and improve readability.
Pro Tip: “Avoid using multiple H1 tags. Stick to one main heading per page and use H2s and H3s for sub-sections to create a clear hierarchy.”
3. Make Sure Your Site Loads Quickly
Check Page Load Speed
Google considers page load speed in rankings. Aim for pages that load within 2-3 seconds. You can use Google PageSpeed Insights to get a speed report and suggestions for improvement.
Compress Large Files
Big images or videos can slow your site down. Use free tools like TinyPNG to compress images before uploading. It’s a small step with a big impact on loading time.
4. Be Mobile-Friendly
Responsive Design
Make sure your site adapts to different screen sizes. If your text and images look good on a desktop but hard to read on a phone, visitors may leave quickly.
Quick Mobile Test
Open your site on a phone and scroll around. Is everything easy to click on and read? Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check how well your site works on mobile.
5. Simplify Navigation and Internal Linking
Simple Menus
Use clear, text-based menus that make navigating your site easy. Avoid fancy elements that may slow down your site or confuse visitors.
Internal Links
Link to other relevant pages on your site. These links guide visitors to other content they may find interesting and help search engines understand your site structure.
Tool Tip: “Use tools like Ahrefs Site Explorer to analyze your internal links and ensure they’re driving visitors to high-value pages.”
6. Use Images Wisely
Descriptive Alt Text
Every image should have alt text, a short description that tells search engines what the image shows. Instead of “IMG123,” try “sunset-over-mountains” to be more descriptive.
Keep Image Sizes in Check
Large images can slow down your site. Compress them with tools like TinyPNG before uploading. For more advanced sites, consider serving images in next-gen formats like WebP.
7. Enhance Security and Privacy
HTTPS Security
Make sure your site uses HTTPS (you should see a padlock icon in the browser). If it doesn’t, talk to your hosting provider about getting an SSL certificate.
Privacy Policy
If you collect user data (like emails), display a privacy policy on your site. It shows visitors you respect their information and can be required by law.
8. Special Tips for Local Businesses
Contact Information (NAP)
Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are easy to find. Include it in the footer or on a contact page.
Google Business Profile
Set up or update your Google Business Profile for local SEO. This is a powerful, free way to boost visibility for local searches.
9. Keep SEO Fresh with Regular Maintenance
Quarterly SEO Check-Ups
Revisit this checklist every few months to catch any changes in SEO best practices. This keeps your site fresh and competitive.
Use Analytics to Track Progress
Tools like Google Analytics or Ahrefs help track what’s working and identify areas for improvement.
Advanced SEO Concepts
If you’re ready to take things up a notch, here are a few advanced tips that will add value to your site.
Structured Data
Adding schema markup helps search engines understand your content better and can lead to enhanced results in Google (like product ratings or event details).
Core Web Vitals
Google uses metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) to measure user experience. Tools like PageSpeed Insights can help you track these.
E-A-T
This stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Build content that showcases your knowledge and demonstrates credibility—especially in areas like finance or health.
Conclusion
By following this checklist, you’ve already laid a strong SEO foundation. SEO is ongoing, but these basics will help your site stay fresh and visible. Check back in every few months, keep learning, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like some extra support. SEO might sound like a lot, but small changes can make a big difference—one step at a time!
