Do you want your blog posts to rank higher in search results? Use this on-page SEO checklist! It has 38 essential points to help you optimize your content. This checklist is great for:

• Improving old blog posts that aren't doing well.

• Ensuring new content is optimized for search engine rankings.

Let's dive in and learn how to get your content ranking on page one!

Standard Keyword Optimizations

Keywords are the words people type into search engines. It's essential to incorporate your main keyword in strategic locations throughout your content. Make sure your keyword is in these spots:

• Blog title: Put your keyword near the beginning of the title.

• URL: Keep the URL short and include your keyword.

• Meta title: Like the blog title, front-load your keyword.

• Meta description: Include your keyword and a call to action.

• H2 headings: Use your keyword in at least one H2 heading.

• H3 headings: Include your keyword in at least one H3 heading (or H4 if you have it).

• Introduction: Use your keyword in the first paragraph (within the first 50-75 words).

• Body content: Use your keyword naturally throughout the content. Don't stuff it!

• Conclusion: Include your keyword in the conclusion paragraph.

Word Count

Also, check the word count of your article. Aim to be within 200 words of the average length of the top-ranking articles for your keyword.

Internal Links

Internal links connect different pages on your website. For example, if you're writing a blog post about 'On-Page SEO Checklist', you could internally link to a previous post about 'SEO Basics'. This not only helps search engines understand your site and distribute link value, but also guides users to related content they may find helpful.

Ask yourself these questions about internal links:

• Is this page hard to find on my site?

• Are there any internal links pointing to this page? How many? If it's less than three, you likely need more.

• Are there opportunities to add more internal links to this page?

• Does this page link to my essential money pages?

Building internal links is a straightforward and free process. You have complete control over them, so take advantage of this power!

Backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They're like votes of confidence and can significantly improve your ranking.

• Are there any backlinks pointing to this page?

• Are the websites linking to me getting traffic?

Backlinks are not only important, but they are also becoming increasingly crucial. They indicate to search engines that your website is trustworthy, providing a significant boost in search engine rankings.

Images and Videos

Images and videos make your content more engaging. They also help explain your topic.

• Do I have images and videos in my blog post?

• Do they add value to the content, or are they distracting?

• Do my images have alt text (descriptive text for search engines)?

• If I don't have pictures, why not?

• Are my videos embedded from YouTube or Vimeo?

If you don't have videos, think about creating some! YouTube is an excellent platform for growing your audience. Embedding YouTube videos can also save on page loading times.

Schema

Schema markup is a code that you put on your website to help search engines provide more informative results for users. It can also lead to rich snippets in search results, which are enhanced search results that can include images, ratings, and other visual elements.

Do you have schema markup on your blog posts? Some common types of schema for blog content include:

• Article Schema

• NewsArticle Schema (if relevant)

• HowTo Schema (if it's a how-to guide)

• FAQPage Schema (if you have an FAQ section)

Schema is a great way to stand out from the competition!

Search Intent

Understanding and matching the search intent of your target keyword is a key strategy. It ensures that your content is relevant and valuable to your audience.

• Does my content match one of the four main types of search intent?

  • Informational

  • Navigational

  • Transactional

  • Commercial

• Did I use the same content format as the top-ranking results? (Listicle, How-To, Best Of, X vs. Y, etc.)

• Am I missing any vital information that the top results mentioned?

• Am I competing against high-authority sites, such as medical journals or news publications?

Before writing, check the top search results. See what kind of content is already ranking. Then, create something similar, but even better.

Introduction Paragraph

Your introduction paragraph should grab the reader's attention. It should also inform them of the topic of your blog post. Here's what to include:

• Your target keyword.

• Address your audience's pain points or desires.

• Introduce the central topic or points you'll cover.

• A clear call to action to keep reading.

Write your introduction last. This will help you summarize your blog post effectively.

Conclusion Paragraph

Your conclusion paragraph should wrap up your blog post. It should also give the reader a next step. Include these things:

• Recap the main points (your H2 headings).

• Provide logical next steps or a call to action.

Keep your conclusion short and sweet. People are ready to take action after reading your blog post.

Start Ranking Higher

This checklist will help you optimize your content for maximum effectiveness. By following these steps, you can improve your search engine rankings. You'll also drive more traffic to your website. So, what are you waiting for? Start optimizing your content today!