Advanced On-Page SEO Checklist

 

1. CONTENT ELEMENTS CHECKLIST

Keyword Research

●      Use tools: Ahrefs, SE Ranking, AnswerThePublic, Ubersuggest

●      Target topics + search intent based on buyer's journey:

○      Awareness: blog posts, videos

○      Consideration: case studies, product overviews

○      Decision: comparison pages, pricing, demo CTAs

●      Include semantic keywords: e.g., if the keyword is Paris, include “City of Love”, “France capital”, etc.

Visual Content

●      Use images, videos, charts, infographics

●      Optimize every visual:

○      Use descriptive filenames

○      Compress with ImageOptim or similar

○      Implement lazy loading

○      Add alt text (<125 chars, keyword included naturally)

2. HTML ELEMENTS CHECKLIST

Page Titles (Title Tags)

●      Put primary keyword near the beginning

●      Stay under 60 characters or 600 pixels

●      Avoid ALL CAPS or keyword stuffing

●      Use format like:
“On-Page SEO Best Practices | BrandName”

Headers (H1-H6)

●      Use only one H1 per page

●      Structure page hierarchically:
   H1: Topic → H2: Section → H3: Subsection

●      Include related keywords in headers naturally

Meta Descriptions

●      Use 1–2 clear, compelling sentences

●      Stay within 150–160 characters

●      Include target keyword

●      Add a call-to-action (CTA): “Get a quote”, “Try for free”

Alt Text

●      Each image should have a descriptive alt tag

●      Do not keyword stuff

●      Avoid phrases like “image of”

●      Example:
 🔹 "infographic showing on-page SEO checklist in 2025"

Structured Markup (Schema.org)

●      Add schema markup to support rich results

○      Products, FAQs, Reviews, Events, etc.

●      Use tools:

○      Schema.org Validator

○      Google Rich Results Test

3. SITE ARCHITECTURE ELEMENTS CHECKLIST

URLs

●      Use SEO-friendly slugs:
 🔹 /hot-yoga-online-classes not /1234/post-id=567

●      Include the main keyword

●      Always use HTTPS

Internal Linking

●      Use anchor text relevant to the linked page

●      Link to contextually related pages

●      Tip: Add 3–5 internal links per page to deep pages

External Linking

●      Link to high-authority, relevant sources

●      Use natural anchor text

●      Do not overlink or link to spammy sites

Mobile Responsiveness

●      Use responsive design

●      Avoid:

○      Flash

○      Tiny clickable elements

○      Horizontal scrolling

Site Speed (Performance)

●      Check with PageSpeed Insights

●      Key metrics to optimize:

○      LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) < 2.5s

○      INP (Interaction to Next Paint) < 200ms

○      CLS (Layout Shift) < 0.1

●      Fix tips:

○      Compress images

○      Use a CDN

○      Minify CSS/JS

○      Eliminate render-blocking resources

FULL ON-PAGE SEO EXECUTION CHECKLIST

1. Include keyword in URL
   
   
2. Optimize page title with keyword
   
   
3. Use H1-H3 headers to structure content
   
   
4. Insert primary + semantic keywords in body copy
   
   
5. Add visuals: charts, images, videos
   
   
6. Write a compelling meta description
   
   
7. Add alt text for all visuals
   
   
8. Add internal links
   
   
9. Add external links to authoritative sites

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

Scale On-Page SEO with a Template

Use a spreadsheet to manage:

●      URLs

●      Titles + meta descriptions

●      Focus keyword

●      Page type + value proposition

●      Target audience

●      CTAs + funnel stage

Advanced Optimization from SEMrush

1. Write Unique, Helpful Content
   

○      Address user intent fully

○      Use long-form content (800–2000 words)

○      Include visuals + schema + internal linking

2. Target Featured Snippets
   
   

○      Answer question in first 100 words

○      Use lists, tables, FAQs

○      Use heading like “Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?”

3. Add Schema Markup
   

○      Types: Article, Product, Review, FAQ, LocalBusiness

○      Helps win rich results and improve CTR

Optimize for Conversion

●      Place CTA buttons throughout (e.g., demo, form, signup)

●      Use smart CTAs based on funnel stage

●      Track via UTM or analytics to test what converts

Final Summary Checklist

Element	Focus
Title Tag	Keyword + CTA under 60 chars
Meta Description	Persuasive, keyword-rich
H1/H2/H3	Structure + topical coverage
Keyword Placement	URL, title, H1, body
Internal Links	Anchor-text rich, relevant
External Links	Authority-enhancing
Alt Text	Brief + keyword-aware
Mobile UX	Fast, responsive
Site Speed	LCP, CLS, INP optimized
Schema	Add markup for FAQs, products, reviews

In Details

What Is On-Page SEO?

On-Page SEO is the process of optimizing individual web pages (not backlinks or technical stuff) so that:

●      Google understands your content better

●      Users get a better experience

●      You rank higher on Google SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages)

SECTION 1: Keyword Strategy

1. Choose the Right Keywords

●      Use tools like:

○      Google Keyword Planner

○      Ahrefs / SEMrush

○      AnswerThePublic

○      UberSuggest

●      Focus on:

○      Primary Keyword (e.g., "best yoga mat")

○      LSI/Semantic Keywords (e.g., "non-slip", "eco-friendly", "for hot yoga")

●      Match keywords with search intent:

○      “What is…” = Informational

○      “Buy…” = Commercial

○      “Best…” = Comparison

SECTION 2: Content Optimization (Body Text)

2. Create Helpful, Comprehensive Content

●      Aim for 800–2,000+ words depending on niche

●      Structure like this:

○      H1: Clear, keyword-rich title

○      H2-H3: Sections and subtopics

○      Paragraphs: Short, 2–3 lines max

○      Use bullet points, tables, images, bolded highlights

3. Use Keywords Naturally

●      Add primary keyword:

○      In first paragraph

○      In headings (H2, H3)

○      Throughout content (not overused)

Example: Instead of stuffing “best yoga mat” 20 times, include variations like:

●      “Top-rated yoga mats”

●      “Affordable non-slip mats”

SECTION 3: Visual Optimization

4. Use Images and Videos

●      Break up walls of text

●      Keep users engaged

●      Show examples or demonstrations

5. Optimize Each Visual

●      File name: eco-friendly-yoga-mat.jpg

●      Alt text: "non-slip yoga mat for beginners"

●      Compress images: Use TinyPNG or Squoosh

●      Use WebP format for speed

SECTION 4: HTML Elements Optimization

6. Page Title (Title Tag)

●      Include main keyword at the beginning

●      Keep under 60 characters

●      Make it compelling (add a benefit or number)

Example:
Bad: “Home”
Good: “Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats for 2024 | ZenGear”

7. Meta Description

●      1–2 lines (150–160 characters)

●      Include keyword + benefit + CTA

●      Not a ranking factor, but boosts click-through rate

Example:

"Shop the best non-slip yoga mats of 2024. Eco-friendly, lightweight, and beginner-friendly. Free shipping. Buy now!"

8. Headers (H1 to H6)

●      Use only one H1 (main page title)

●      Use H2s for sections, H3s for subsections

●      Insert keywords naturally

9. Schema Markup (Structured Data)

●      Use Schema.org types:

○      FAQ

○      Product

○      Review

○      Article

●      Helps Google understand your page better

●      Can boost rich results (stars, price, etc.)

Use:

●      Google's Rich Results Test

●      Schema generators (e.g., Merkle’s Schema Markup Generator)

SECTION 5: URL & Internal Architecture

10. URL Structure

●      Short, readable, keyword-rich URLs

●      Avoid symbols or long IDs

Examples:
Bad:yoursite.com/page?id=12&ref=xyz
Good: yoursite.com/best-yoga-mats

11. Internal Linking

●      Link to related articles or products

●      Use descriptive anchor text

○      “eco-friendly yoga mat”

○      “click here”

Tip: Every new page should get 2–5 internal links from relevant older pages.

12. External Linking

●      Link to relevant, high-authority sources (Wikipedia, government sites, trusted blogs)

●      Avoid:

○      Too many external links

○      Linking to spammy or low-trust sites

SECTION 6: UX + Mobile Optimization

13. Mobile-Friendly Design

●      Responsive layout (works on all devices)

●      Larger fonts, readable spacing

●      Avoid horizontal scrolling

●      Test using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test

14. Improve Page Speed

Use PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix

Key Metrics to Hit:

Metric	Ideal Score
LCP	≤ 2.5 seconds
INP	≤ 200ms
CLS	≤ 0.1

Fixes:

●      Compress images

●      Lazy-load below-the-fold content

●      Minify JS and CSS

●      Use a CDN (Cloudflare, BunnyCDN)

SECTION 7: Content Refresh Strategy

●      Review top pages every 6–12 months

●      Update stats, screenshots, and CTAs

●      Add missing FAQs, tables, or newer keywords

●      Improve underperforming pages using:

○      GSC Performance Report

○      CTR data

○      Ahrefs “Content Gap” tool

FULL ADVANCED ON-PAGE SEO CHECKLIST

Task	Done
Keyword in title, URL, meta, headers
Semantic keywords throughout
H1 used once, structured headings
Internal links to related pages
External links to trusted sources
Images compressed + alt text
Schema added (FAQ/Product/etc.)
URL short + keyword-rich
Mobile responsive
Page loads < 2.5s
Meta description is compelling

 Pro Tips

●      Create content clusters — group related articles with a main pillar page.

●      Target People Also Ask (PAA) boxes by answering common questions early.

●      Use tools like:

○      Surfer SEO (on-page NLP analysis)

○      Frase (content briefs + semantic gaps)

○      Ahrefs/Semrush (keyword & backlink insights)

On-Page SEO Tips from Top Rated SEO Experts

1. Keyword Strategy & Mapping

Action Steps:

●      Identify primary, secondary, and LSI keywords for every page.

●      Create a keyword map assigning target keywords to specific URLs.

●      Match keywords with search intent (informational, navigational, commercial).

●      Use long-tail variations for low competition & high relevance.

●      Use tools: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Search Console, Google Trends, ChatGPT + Reddit, and Google SERPs.

Example:

For a yoga eCommerce site:
Primary keyword: “eco yoga mats”
Long-tail: “best eco yoga mats for beginners under $50”

2. Page Structure & Content Hierarchy

Action Steps:

●      Use only one H1 (main topic).

●      Use H2s for major sections, H3s for sub-sections.

●      Place keywords in headings and first 100 words.

●      Add internal anchor links (Table of Contents).

●      Group content into silos or content clusters.

Tip:

“Think of your blog like a Wikipedia page: every section is clearly labeled and deeply interlinked.”

3. User Intent + SERP Analysis

Action Steps:

●      Check the top 10 results in Google for your keyword.

●      Identify the dominant search intent (e.g., product, guide, listicle).

●      Reverse engineer:

○      Common content types (blog vs category vs product)

○      Featured snippet structure

○      PAA questions (People Also Ask)

Use tools: Thruuu, AlsoAsked, ChatGPT for intent mapping.

4. Internal Linking SOP

Action Steps:

●      Every new page should link to 3–5 relevant old pages.

●      Every old page should link to newer content, especially fresh clusters.

●      Use anchor text that:

○      Reflects the target keyword

○      Feels natural

●      Maintain an internal linking database (Google Sheet or Notion).

●      Prioritize linking from high-authority pages to low-performing ones.

Quote:

“Internal linking is the #1 underused SEO tactic. It passes authority and improves crawl depth.”

5. Title Tags + Meta Descriptions

Action Steps:

●      Title < 60 characters, includes main keyword at front.

●      Use power words & emotional drivers (e.g., “Best”, “Top”, “Proven”).

●      Add year if relevant: e.g., “Best SEO Tools in 2025”

●      Meta Description < 155 characters:

○      Clear summary + call-to-action (CTA)

○      Use keyword + intent match

Example:

Title: “Top SEO Strategies for eCommerce in 2025”
Meta: “Discover proven SEO strategies to grow your online store. Actionable tips, examples & results. Read now.”

6. SEO Content Brief Process

Action Steps:

●      Define:

○      Main keyword

○      Intent

○      Format (listicle, guide, review)

○      Angle (unique POV)

○      CTA

●      Include:

○      Suggested title

○      H1/H2 outline

○      Semantic terms

○      FAQs (from PAA, Reddit, Quora)

Tools: ChatGPT, Surfer SEO, Frase, MarketMuse, Clearscope

7. SEO Editing Process (6-Step)

Action Steps:

1. Proofread for grammar, clarity, voice.
   
   
2. Trim fluff, repeat sentences, and weak transitions.
   
   
3. Insert keywords where relevant.
   
   
4. Add internal & external links.
   
   
5. Optimize H1-H4 structure.
   
   
6. Add alt text for all visuals.

8. Image Optimization

Action Steps:

●      Use compressed formats like WebP or JPEG.

●      Rename files with descriptive keywords.

●      Use alt text:

○      Describe the image clearly

○      Include a keyword naturally

●      Add structured data for products (image markup in JSON-LD)

Tip:

Use tools like Squoosh, TinyPNG, or ShortPixel before uploading.

9. External Linking Strategy

Action Steps:

●      Link to authority sources (news, gov, .edu, high-DA sites).

●      Don’t overdo it (max 2–3 per 1,000 words).

●      Make links open in new tabs.

●      Monitor for broken links regularly.

10. Content Update Framework

Action Steps:

●      Update top pages quarterly.

●      Add:

○      Recent stats

○      Updated screenshots

○      New CTAs

●      Use GSC & Ahrefs to find:

○      Declining traffic pages

○      Keywords with impressions but low clicks (CTR gap)

●      Refresh title/meta if CTR is low

Tip: “Update the intro, refresh headers, and add an FAQ to revive stale posts.”

BONUS: Expert SEO Workflows Included

The doc references dozens of LinkedIn workflows from SEO influencers including:

●      Connor Gillivan: internal linking SOP, keyword map, SERP gap tool

●      Samy Thuillier: SEO content update checklist, category SEO checklist

●      Zeeshan Yaseen: topical clustering strategy, AI content SOPs

●      Twinkle Chatterjee: pillar-content workflows, topical authority playbook

●      Benjamingoodey: how to find SERP-winning outlines with Thruuu

Final Master Checklist: On-Page SEO from Experts

Area	Tasks
Keyword Mapping	Assign primary + LSI keywords by intent
Content Briefs	Include SERP gaps, cluster planning, CTA
Structure	Use H1-H3 properly; match intent to format
Title + Meta	Emotional triggers + keyword frontloading
Internal Linking	Use a consistent SOP, track anchor text
External Links	Link to high DA, authoritative sources
Optimization	Trim fluff, update visuals, compress files
Refresh Strategy	Re-optimize quarterly using GSC/Ahrefs
Tools	GSC, Ahrefs, Frase, Thruuu, ChatGPT, Notion

In Details

What Is On-Page SEO?

On-Page SEO refers to all optimizations you apply within your website pages (not backlinks or off-site factors). These include:

●      Keywords

●      Titles and metas

●      Internal links

●      Content layout and structure

●      UX and intent

●      Technical markup like Schema

●      Mobile optimization

The purpose? To help Google understand your content better and to give users the best experience possible — so you rank higher and convert more traffic.

SECTION 1: Keyword Strategy (From Connor Gillivan)

Why It Matters:

If you target the wrong keywords, Google won’t send you the right visitors. So choose intent-based, specific, and long-tail keywords.

Action Plan:

1. Map keywords by intent (informational, navigational, commercial, transactional).
   
   
2. Use these tools:
   

○      Google Keyword Planner

○      Ahrefs

○      SEMrush

○      ChatGPT + Reddit for real user language

3. Build a Keyword Map:
   

○      Assign one main keyword per page.

○      Add 2–3 LSI/semantic keywords.

4. Match keywords to the buyer journey stage:
   

○      Awareness: “What is X?”

○      Consideration: “Best X for Y”

○      Decision: “X vs Y”, “Buy X”

Example:

Product page:
Primary: “best noise cancelling headphones”
Support terms: “wireless”, “Bluetooth”, “under $200”

SECTION 2: Content Structure & Layout (From Samy Thuillier)

Why It Matters:

Google prefers well-structured, scannable, and hierarchically organized content. So do humans.

Action Plan:

1. Use one H1 tag — should exactly state the topic.
   
   
2. Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections.
   
   
3. Keep paragraphs under 3 lines.
   
   
4. Add:
   

○      TOC (Table of Contents)

○      Bullet points

○      Callouts (notes, tips, warnings)

○      Visuals (infographics, images)

5. Place main keyword in first 100 words.
   
   
6. Answer People Also Ask queries in H2/H3 sections.

Pro tip:

Think like Wikipedia: clear structure, scannable sections, and internal links.

SECTION 3: Internal Linking SOP (From Zeeshan Yaseen)

Why It Matters:

Internal links help:

●      Crawl depth (Google finds all pages)

●      Distribute authority

●      Enhance user journey

●      Improve dwell time

Action Plan:

1. Every new blog or product page should link to:
   

○      2–5 other relevant pages (deep links preferred)

○      Related guides, services, or FAQs

2. Update existing content to link to the new page (reverse linking)
   
   
3. Use anchor text that includes keywords naturally
   
   
4. Track linking in a Google Sheet (URL, target, anchor, date)
   
   
5. Use tools like:
   

○      Screaming Frog

○      Ahrefs “Best by links”

○      WordPress plugins (Link Whisper, Rank Math)

Example:

In a blog on “best running shoes,” link to your “running shoes size guide” and “Nike Air Zoom review” pages.

SECTION 4: Meta Titles + Descriptions (From Twinkle Chatterjee)

Why It Matters:

Title and meta description are first impressions on Google. A good one can double your CTR (click-through rate).

Title Tag Best Practices:

●      Include main keyword first.

●      Keep under 60 characters or 600px.

●      Add power words (best, free, checklist, guide, 2025).

●      Use pipes (|) or colons for readability.

Meta Description Best Practices:

●      Include keyword + benefit + CTA

●      Stay under 160 characters

●      Encourage action: "Learn more", "Buy now", "Free demo"

Example:

Title: “Best SEO Audit Tools for 2025 | Expert Picks”
Meta: “Explore top SEO audit tools trusted by experts. Compare features, pricing, and reviews. Start optimizing today!”

SECTION 5: Image SEO (From Benjamin Goodey)

Why It Matters:

Images can:

●      Improve user experience

●      Drive traffic from Google Images

●      Boost relevance through alt text

Action Plan:

1. Compress images before upload (TinyPNG, Squoosh, ShortPixel)
   
   
2. Use descriptive filenames:
    IMG_0023.jpg → noise-cancelling-headphones-black.jpg
   
   
3. Add keyword-based alt text (natural language)
   
   
4. Use WebP or AVIF for faster loading
   
   
5. Add structured data for product images (if relevant)

Example Alt Text:

“black wireless noise-cancelling headphones with over-ear design”

SECTION 6: External Linking (From Connor Gillivan)

Why It Matters:

Linking to relevant high-authority sources:

●      Increases trust

●      Supports claims

●      Adds topical depth

Action Plan:

●      Link to official sources, not competitors

●      Use relevant anchor text (not just “click here”)

●      Limit to 2–3 external links per 1,000 words

●      Open in new tabs: target="_blank"

Example:

“According to the Harvard Business Review, consistent branding improves customer trust by 23%.”

SECTION 7: Content Refreshing Strategy (Connor + Samy)

Why It Matters:

Google rewards fresh, updated content — especially if you’re already ranking on Page 2 or slipping.

Action Plan:

1. Use GSC Performance Report:
   

○      Find URLs with decreasing clicks or impressions

2. Refresh:
   

○      Add new keywords from GSC or Ahrefs

○      Update stats, screenshots, quotes

○      Replace outdated images or CTAs

○      Improve title and meta

3. Add FAQs or missing semantic sections
   
   
4. Re-index via GSC URL Inspection Tool

Tip:

“Refreshing old winners is faster and cheaper than writing new articles — and often brings instant ranking improvements.”

SECTION 8: Bonus Expert Systems and Templates

The document includes actual templates/workflows from top SEO professionals:

●      Keyword Mapping Template

●      Internal Linking Tracker

●      Content Brief Template (with H1–H3, angle, CTA, semantic keywords)

●      Content Update Tracker (last edited, next review, priority)

All of these are built in:

●      Google Sheets

●      Notion

●      Airtable

Want these customized for your agency or project? Just ask — I can generate a full workspace for you.

FINAL MASTER CHECKLIST: ON-PAGE SEO

Element	Actions
Keyword Strategy	Assign 1 keyword + 2–3 LSI/semantics per page
Content Layout	Clear headings (H1-H3), short paras, bulleted lists
Internal Linking	3–5 relevant links per page, tracked in a sheet
Image SEO	Compressed, renamed, alt text, proper formats
Meta Optimization	<60 char titles, <160 char metas, keyword included
External Links	Authority sources only, descriptive anchors
Content Refresh	Quarterly updates using GSC + SERP gap tools
Schema	Use for articles, FAQs, products (JSON-LD preferred)