I wrote an article on Academia this week that delved deep into on-page SEO and how to perfect it so I'll just run over the key points here. Feel free to follow me on Academia.edu to read the article in its entirety. (Psst... it's a great place to blog for backlinks)

What is On-Page SEO?

On-page SEO is the practice of optimizing a web page for search engines and users. We can't just link to a page if it's not optimized correctly. I mean, we can, but it's kind of pointless. You have to make sure that the information is relevant to whatever the person has searched and that the keywords are in the heading and body of the text to be relevant for the searcher and provide the most accurate information. This is where on-page SEO comes into play. The page and site need to be relevant and optimized correctly for the user and for search engines.

1. Know your keywords

The keywords are there to give readers and Google exactly what the page is about. Make sure you've researched and know the best keywords to go for.

2. Title and Headings

Break up that wall of words like an outline to give readers a place to rest their eyes or scan.

3. Keyword Density

How many times should you mention your keywords and where should they be in the article? Front and center and about every 100 words.

4. Internal and External Links

Get those links in there but don't overdo it. It should enhance the article, not bog it down.

5. URL Structure

Not super long but relevant and structured appropriately for the topic, category, etc..

6. Meta Data

Your chance to show readers in the description what the page is about. Get a keyword in there and make those 160 characters count!

7. Content

Unique, authorization and if possible, something no one has talked about before, at least from your perspective. Make it great, long, easy to read and informative.

8. Dump the old

Trash and/or consolidate old, outdated and thin content. This means content with less than 200 words and is useless to rank.

9. CTR

Click-through-rate is huge! Use questions, positive words and numbers in your title to get people over to the site.

10. Give people a quick answer

But then draw it out. If people have to scroll too long for the information, they'll leave. Give them what they want and reasons to stay.

11. Page Speed

That page better load fast... that's all I got to say.. at least here.

12. Image optimization

Every image should have your title and keywords so Google knows what it's looking at.

Again, more detail is over on https://www.academia.edu/41792158/On-Page_SEO_Checklist

 

More SEO Tricks and Tips

 

How to Optimize for Voice Search

SEO Organizing Tips for Backlinks

How SEO is Like Going to the Gym

How Many Links Should I Put in Posts?