Backlinko has a good overview of on-page SEO here: https://backlinko.com/on-page-seo
On-page SEO refers to the practice of optimizing individual web pages in order to rank higher in search engine results and drive more relevant traffic to your site.
Here are some key on-page SEO best practices:
Keyword Research and Targeting
- Identify relevant keywords with high search volume and intent
- Target a primary keyword per page and include related secondary keywords
- Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush
Title Tags
- Use brief, descriptive titles (50-60 characters) with the target keyword
- Place important keywords towards the front
Meta Descriptions
- Write compelling meta descriptions (155-160 chars) that entice clicks
- Include a call-to-action and the target keyword
Header Tags (H1, H2, H3)
- Use H1 tags for main page titles and H2/H3 for section subheadings
- Include target keywords in headers when relevant
Content Optimization
- Create comprehensive, high-quality content focused on the topic
- Use target keywords naturally throughout page content
- Optimize content with semantically related terms
Image Optimization
- Use descriptive file names and alt text for images
- Optimize file sizes for fast loading
URL Structure
- Use short, keyword-rich, static URLs when possible
- Avoid sessions IDs and superfluous parameters
Internal Linking
- Link between relevant pages on your site with descriptive anchor text
- Create a logical internal linking structure
Schema Markup
- Implement schema.org structured data to provide context to search engines
Page Speed
- Optimize page load times
- Compress files, enable browser caching, reduce redirects
Mobile Friendliness
- Ensure site is mobile responsive and content adjusts for mobile
Analytics and Tracking
- Set up analytics software to track rankings, traffic, conversions
- Use data to guide ongoing optimizations
The key is creating a seamless, relevant experience optimized for search engines and users alike. On-page SEO lays the foundation for off-page optimization through link building and other efforts.
