On-Page SEO Checklist

While it can be rather hard (if not impossible) to handle the off-site SEO campaign, on-site search engine optimization is under your control and it will take you no more than a few hours to check the boxes below. That’s not about adjusting your website to search engines ( as on-site sceptics might say) or about pushing your site to the first page in SERP in a day. That’s an online etiquette which demonstrates your level of competence and also makes the crawlers visit your pages more eagerly.
I have made a keyword analysis and chosen keywords to optimize for;
I have researched my site referrals by digging my search analytics and doing thorough website analysis;
I have made sure my keywords are directly related to my niche;
I use unique short meta tags based on my keywords;
I have written unique content using my primary keywords;
I add quality content at least once a week to ensure search bots have something new to crawl;
I do keep to CCS styles;
I keep my javascript in an external file;
I’ve made sure that my code is clean and is no more than 100 K (the less the better);
I do have a customized 404 error page;
I do take advantage of <h1>, <h2> and <h3> to show search pots and user agents what is important;
I have developed a good clean website structure based on my keyword analysis;
I use readable URLs (I do mod-rewrite if needed);
I don’t use js, drop-downs or images for my navigation menu – just plain text links;
I don’t overuse images and flash;
I use alt text for my content-rich images and links;
I have a site map to make Big Daddy’s life easier;
I take advantage of rel=”nofollow” attribute to direct the PageRank flow;
I do 301-redirect non-www version to www version (or vice versa) to show Google what I like more;
(Optional) I do let SEO experts handle my on-site optimization!
Anything else? Please share in the comments!
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8 Responses to “On-Page SEO Checklist”
Nice checklist, but was that last one really needed? If outside SEO experts were involved, what’s the point of handling the above points at first? Better leave the expert get it done right!
Pat
By SEO in China on Nov 15, 2007
Do you seriously think I disclose all my secrets here?
Well leaving that to professionals does not mean they will do only what everybody knows. Each niche presupposes plenty of unique on-site techniques – and that’s what seo companies are for.
By Ann Smarty on Nov 16, 2007
A great discussion on 301 commented by Matt Cutts: here
By Andrew G on Nov 29, 2007
Good reminder.
The difficult one…
“I add quality content at least once a week to ensure Google has something new to crawl;”
But I will make an effport.
Thanks
Bill
By Bill Simcox on May 22, 2009
Great List!@SEO China I think it doesn’t matter if outside SEO experts as long as you do the list right.@Bill “add quality content at least once a week to ensure Google has something new to crawl’ these is the most important thing it is like updating your site and knowing that the google that your site is still existing and active.
By Andre Colt on Oct 12, 2009