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
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
- Include keyword in URL
- Optimize
page title with keyword
- Use H1-H3 headers to structure content
- Insert
primary + semantic keywords in body copy
- Add
visuals:
charts, images, videos
- Write a compelling meta description
- Add alt text for all visuals
- Add internal links
- 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
- Write Unique, Helpful Content
○ Address user intent fully
○ Use long-form content (800–2000 words)
○ Include visuals + schema +
internal linking
- Target
Featured Snippets
○ Answer question in first 100 words
○ Use lists, tables, FAQs
○ Use heading like “Can Dogs
Eat Watermelon?”
- 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)
○ 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:
- Proofread for grammar, clarity, voice.
- Trim fluff, repeat sentences, and
weak transitions.
- Insert
keywords
where relevant.
- Add
internal & external links.
- Optimize
H1-H4 structure.
- 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:
- Map keywords by intent (informational, navigational,
commercial, transactional).
- Use these
tools:
○ Google Keyword Planner
○ Ahrefs
○ SEMrush
○ ChatGPT + Reddit for real
user language
- Build a Keyword Map:
○ Assign one main keyword per page.
○ Add 2–3 LSI/semantic
keywords.
- 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:
- Use one H1 tag — should exactly state the topic.
- Use H2 for main sections, H3 for subsections.
- Keep paragraphs under 3 lines.
- Add:
○ TOC (Table of Contents)
○ Bullet points
○ Callouts (notes, tips,
warnings)
○ Visuals (infographics,
images)
- Place main keyword in first 100 words.
- 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:
- Every new blog or
product page should link to:
○ 2–5 other relevant pages
(deep links preferred)
○ Related guides, services, or
FAQs
- Update existing content to link to the new page (reverse linking)
- Use anchor text that includes keywords naturally
- Track linking in a Google Sheet (URL, target, anchor,
date)
- 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:
- Compress images before upload (TinyPNG,
Squoosh, ShortPixel)
- Use descriptive filenames:
IMG_0023.jpg → noise-cancelling-headphones-black.jpg
- Add keyword-based alt text (natural language)
- Use WebP or AVIF for faster loading
- 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:
- Use GSC Performance Report:
○ Find URLs with decreasing
clicks or impressions
- Refresh:
○ Add new keywords from GSC or
Ahrefs
○ Update stats, screenshots,
quotes
○ Replace outdated images or
CTAs
○ Improve title and meta
- Add FAQs or missing semantic
sections
- 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) |
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