SEO Best Practices

All you need to know about SEO

Find all the SEO needs in one place.

SEO Basics

  • Set up GSC and Bing Webmaster tools

    Verify your site on Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools to monitor indexing.

  • Generate and submit a sitemap

    Use tools like XML Sitemaps to create a sitemap and submit it to search engines.

  • Set up Google Analytics

    Integrate Google Analytics to track website traffic and user behavior.

  • Create a Robots.txt file

    Define crawler instructions to control how search engines index your site.

  • Install and configure an SEO plugin (WordPress)

    Use plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to optimize on-page SEO elements.

  • Check Search Console for manual actions

    Ensure there are no penalties affecting your site’s ranking.

  • Make sure that your website is indexed

    Use the `site:yourdomain.com` search query to verify indexed pages.

Keyword Research

  • Identify your competitors

    Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find your top competitors in search results.

  • Find question keywords

    Identify questions your audience is asking using platforms like AnswerThePublic.

  • Conduct a keyword gap analysis

    Compare your keyword profile with competitors to find missed opportunities.

  • Analyze the intent of pages that rank

    Understand whether top-ranking pages target informational, navigational, or transactional intent.

  • Find your main "money" keywords

    Identify high-value keywords that drive conversions and revenue.

  • Create a keyword map

    Assign target keywords to specific pages to ensure focused optimization.

  • Find long-tail keyword variations

    Use tools like Ubersuggest to discover longer, less competitive keyword phrases.

  • Prioritize by search volume and keyword difficulty

    Select keywords that offer the best balance between high search volume and manageable competition.

Technical SEO

  • Leverage "Inspect URL" feature in GSC

    Use the Inspect URL tool in Google Search Console to analyze individual page performance.

  • Check for duplicate versions of your site

    Ensure you have a single canonical version to avoid duplicate content issues.

  • Ensure your website is mobile-friendly

    Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to verify responsiveness and usability on mobile devices.

  • Use an SEO-friendly URL structure

    Create clean, descriptive URLs that include target keywords and avoid unnecessary parameters.

  • Make sure you are using HTTPS

    Ensure your website has a valid SSL certificate to secure data and boost rankings.

  • Find and fix orphaned pages

    Identify pages with no internal links and integrate them into your site’s navigation.

  • Find and fix crawl errors

    Monitor crawl reports in GSC and resolve issues that prevent search engines from accessing your content.

  • Check the page depth

    Maintain a shallow site structure where important pages are accessible within a few clicks from the homepage.

  • Add structured data

    Implement Schema.org markup to enhance search listings with rich snippets.

On-Page and Content

  • Fix duplicate, missing, and truncated title tags

    Ensure each page has a unique and descriptive title tag within 50-60 characters.

  • Run a content audit and prune content

    Evaluate existing content for quality and relevance, removing outdated or low-performing pages.

  • Find and fix duplicate or missing meta descriptions

    Create unique meta descriptions for each page to improve click-through rates.

  • Optimize images for SEO

    Compress images, use descriptive file names, and add alt text with relevant keywords.

  • Find and fix multiple H1 tags

    Ensure each page has a single H1 tag that accurately represents the main topic.

  • Organize topic clusters

    Structure your content around central topics with related subtopics to improve relevance.

  • Improve title tags, meta descriptions, and page content

    Enhance on-page elements to better target keywords and user intent.

  • Find and fix keyword cannibalization

    Ensure multiple pages aren’t competing for the same keywords by consolidating or differentiating content.

  • Update outdated content

    Refresh old articles with new information, statistics, and insights to maintain relevance.

  • Improve content readability

    Use clear language, short paragraphs, bullet points, and headers to make content more accessible.

Off-Page SEO

  • Analyze your competitor's link profile

    Use backlink analysis tools to understand where competitors are gaining their links.

  • Implement the Skyscraper technique

    Create superior content to attract backlinks by improving upon existing popular content.

  • Conduct a link interest analysis

    Identify high-quality sites that link to your competitors and target them for your own backlinks.

  • Turn unlinked mentions into links

    Reach out to websites that mention your brand without linking and request a backlink.

  • Target your competitor's broken backlinks

    Find broken links on competitor sites and offer your content as a replacement.

  • Set up and optimize Google Business Profile

    Ensure your business information is accurate and optimized for local search visibility.

  • Leverage digital PR

    Create and distribute compelling stories or press releases to earn high-quality media coverage and backlinks.

Local SEO

  • Optimize Google My Business Profile

    Ensure your business information is accurate and complete to improve local search visibility.

  • Get Listed in Local Directories

    Submit your business to local directories like Yelp, Bing Places, and industry-specific sites.

  • Use Local Keywords in Content

    Incorporate geo-specific keywords in your website content to attract local traffic.

  • Encourage Customer Reviews

    Solicit positive reviews on Google and other review platforms to build trust and credibility.

  • Optimize for Mobile Devices

    Ensure your website is mobile-friendly to cater to local users searching on their phones.

  • Create Localized Content

    Develop content that addresses local events, news, or activities relevant to your audience.

  • Build Local Backlinks

    Acquire backlinks from local businesses, organizations, and media outlets to boost local authority.

  • Ensure NAP Consistency

    Maintain consistent Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) information across all platforms.

Pro Tips for Coders

  • Implement Proper Heading Structure

    Use hierarchical heading tags (H1, H2, H3) to organize content semantically and improve SEO.

  • Use Descriptive Alt Attributes for Images

    Provide meaningful alt text for all images to enhance accessibility and SEO.

  • Ensure Mobile Responsiveness

    Develop responsive designs that provide a good user experience on all devices, a key SEO factor.

  • Optimize Page Load Speed

    Minimize CSS and JavaScript, compress images, and leverage browser caching to improve page load times.

  • Implement Structured Data

    Use Schema.org markup to provide search engines with additional information about your content.

  • Use Clean and SEO-friendly URLs

    Create descriptive, concise, and readable URLs that include target keywords.

  • Enable HTTPS

    Ensure your website uses HTTPS to secure user data and improve search engine rankings.

  • Optimize Internal Linking

    Use internal links to connect related content, helping search engines understand site structure.

  • Minimize Redirects and Fix Broken Links

    Ensure all redirects are set up correctly and fix any broken links to maintain site integrity.

  • Implement Canonical Tags

    Use canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page and prevent duplicate content issues.