On-Page SEO Checklist for Bloggers

Introduction

On-page SEO is the part of search optimization you control completely. It tells Google what your page is about, helps readers find answers faster, and turns visits into subscribers or customers. This checklist is built for bloggers: simple actions, clear priorities, and smart defaults that work on Blogger or any CMS. Follow it from top to bottom each time you publish, and your posts will rank sooner, keep people longer, and convert better.

You’ll set winning titles and meta descriptions, structure headings for intent, fix URLs, optimize media, add internal links, use schema, and improve Core Web Vitals. Finish with a quick 10-point pre-publish audit and a 30-day refresh plan.

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📌 Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Map Search Intent & Primary Keyword
3. SEO Title & Compelling Meta Description
4. Clean, Descriptive URL
5. Headings That Answer the Query
6. Introduction & Content Quality
7. Images, ALT Text & Media
8. Internal & External Linking
9. E-E-A-T: Trust & Credibility
10. Schema Markup Essentials
11. Performance & Mobile Experience
12. Pre-Publish Audit & 30-Day Refresh
13. Final Thoughts
14. FAQs

Map Search Intent & Primary Keyword

Why it matters

Google ranks the result that best matches the searcher’s job-to-be-done. If intent is “how-to,” give steps; if it’s “best,” compare and recommend; if it’s “what is,” define quickly then expand.

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Checklist

• Choose one primary keyword and 3–6 supporting terms.
• Identify intent: informational, transactional, navigational, or comparison.
• Mirror top-ranking content types (guide, checklist, tutorial, list).

SEO Title & Compelling Meta Description

• Title (H1 < 60 chars): put the primary keyword near the start; promise a clear outcome.
• Meta description (110–150 chars): expand the benefit + include a second keyword naturally.
• Avoid brackets spam; use power words responsibly (checklist, step-by-step, fast, proven).

Example title: “On-Page SEO Checklist for Bloggers (Rank Faster in 30 Minutes)”

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Clean, Descriptive URL

• Use hyphens; keep it short: /on-page-seo-checklist.
• Remove stop words and dates; avoid changing URLs after publishing.
• If you must change, add a 301 redirect (or Blogger’s custom redirect).

Headings That Answer the Query

• One H1 only (the post title). Use H2 for main sections, H3 for sub-topics.
• Transform common questions into H2/H3 headings; answer immediately below each heading.
• Keep paragraphs 1–4 sentences; front-load value to reduce bounce.

Introduction & Content Quality

• Hook → value promise → preview sections (like this post).
• Use examples, screenshots, and short lists to keep momentum.
• Cut fluff; remove clichés; keep voice consistent with your brand.

Images, ALT Text & Media

• Convert photos to WebP/AVIF; compress aggressively.
• Add descriptive ALT text; leave decorative images alt="".
• Set explicit width/height; lazy-load below the fold.
• Use captions only when they add context; avoid stock clutter.

Internal & External Linking

• Internal: link to pillar pages and related posts with descriptive anchors.
• External: cite credible sources; open in same tab unless it’s a tool or file.
• Fix broken links; avoid orphan pages (every post should have at least one internal incoming link).

E-E-A-T: Trust & Credibility

• Show author identity and expertise (use the author box at the end).
• Display last updated date for evergreen guides.
• Add disclosures for affiliates; keep tone transparent and helpful.

Schema Markup Essentials

• Always include Article + BreadcrumbList (see JSON-LD block below).
• If your post is a checklist or tutorial, you may also add HowTo steps.
• Validate with Rich Results Test; fix warnings (image size, missing fields).

Performance & Mobile Experience

• Aim for LCP < 2.5s, CLS < 0.1, INP < 200ms.
• Limit fonts; preload the primary one; avoid heavy widgets.
• Use a table of contents for long posts and consistent spacing/contrast.

Pre-Publish Audit & 30-Day Refresh

10-Point Pre-Publish Audit

1. Title includes primary keyword and clear benefit.
2. Meta description sells the click (110–150 chars).
3. URL short and descriptive.
4. Headings reflect search questions; no level skipping.
5. Intro hooks and previews value.
6. Images optimized with ALT and proper sizes.
7. Internal links to pillar & related posts added.
8. External citations credible.
9. Schema block updated; dates correct.
10. Mobile preview + Core Web Vitals checked.

30-Day Refresh Plan

• Week 1: improve title/description based on Search Console CTR.
• Week 2: add FAQs from “People also ask” and comments.
• Week 3: add 2–3 internal links from newer posts.
• Week 4: compress images again; update outdated examples.

Final Thoughts

Rankings follow clarity and usefulness. Run this checklist every time, and your posts will become easier to read, faster to load, and simpler to crawl. That’s how you turn casual readers into loyal fans—and traffic into income.

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FAQs

How many keywords should one post target?

One primary keyword and a small cluster of related terms. Let headings answer related questions naturally.

Do I need schema for every post?

Use Article + Breadcrumbs as your default. Add HowTo, FAQPage, or Product only when it truly fits the content.

What’s the fastest win for on-page SEO?

Better titles/meta and optimized images (WebP, ALT, lazy-load). These lift CTR and speed in days, not months.

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