An on-page SEO checklist you can run on every page.
On-page SEO is everything you can fix on the page itself: the title, the headings, the words, the images, the links and the markup. This checklist groups twenty checks into five parts so you can run them on every page before it goes live.
- Work through five parts: search snippet, content, images, links and technical basics.
- Check each page against one main keyword and one clear purpose.
- Run the list before publishing, and again whenever a page is updated.
6 min readPublished By Domeq Solutions
What is on-page SEO?
On-page SEO covers the parts of search optimization that sit on the page and that you fully control. Off-page work, such as earning links from other sites, depends on other people. On-page work depends only on you.
It is also the work with the surest return, because it makes a page clearer for both readers and search engines. A page that states what it is about, in plain headings and plain words, is easier to find and easier to trust.
Run this list on a page after you have chosen its main keyword. If you have not, begin with keyword research for a small business.
A clear page is an optimized page.
What should the title, description and address say?
The title, the meta description and the address are what a searcher sees before clicking. They decide whether your page is chosen, so they deserve the most care per word.
Four snippet checks.
- The title is unique, names the page's main keyword near the start and fits in about 60 characters
- The meta description is unique, written as a promise to the reader and about 120 to 155 characters
- The address is short, readable and contains the main keyword, with words separated by hyphens
- A canonical link points to the preferred address of the page
Google may rewrite a title or description it thinks does not fit the search. Writing a good one still makes that less likely. Check yours with the search snippet preview.
How should the content and headings be organized?
Headings are the outline of the page. Search engines and screen readers both use them to understand the structure, and readers use them to skim. Write them as the questions or topics a reader would look for.
The first paragraph should answer the main question straight away. Then use the rest of the page to give the evidence, the steps and the detail.
There is no ideal word count. A page is long enough when the reader's question is fully answered and not a sentence longer.
Six content checks.
- There is exactly one main heading (H1), and it matches the page's purpose
- Subheadings (H2, then H3) follow in order and never skip a level
- The opening paragraph answers the main question directly
- The main keyword appears naturally in the first paragraph, and variations appear later
- The page has enough useful detail to fully answer the question, not padding to reach a word count
- Dates, prices, names and claims are current and true
How do you prepare images for search and speed?
Images carry meaning and weight. They can help a page rank in image search, but they are also the most common cause of slow pages. Prepare each one before it is uploaded.
Four image checks.
- Every meaningful image has alt text that describes it in a short plain sentence
- Purely decorative images have empty alt text so screen readers skip them
- File names describe the image, for example team-meeting-noida.webp, not IMG_4021.jpg
- Images are resized to the size they display at and saved in a modern format such as WebP
How should a page link to the rest of the site?
Internal links tell search engines which pages matter and how topics relate. They also keep readers moving towards the next useful page.
Use descriptive link text. 'Our SEO services' says what the destination is, while 'click here' says nothing to a reader or a search engine.
Four link checks.
- The page links to two or three related pages, using descriptive link text
- At least one other page on the site links to this page
- External links go to reliable sources and open without surprises
- No link on the page is broken or redirects through a chain
Which technical basics belong on the page?
A few technical details sit on the page itself. They are quick to check and they are the ones that most often go wrong after a redesign.
Two technical checks, and where to go next.
- The page works well on a phone and loads quickly on a mobile connection
- Structured data (JSON-LD) matches what is visible on the page, such as the questions and answers in an FAQ
Make sure the page is allowed to be indexed and appears in the sitemap, then watch it in Search Console.
Three on-page myths to ignore.
Repeat the keyword as often as possible.
Repeating it unnaturally makes the page worse. Use it where it reads naturally and write for the reader.
The meta description is a ranking factor.
It does not directly raise rankings, but a good one earns more clicks from the same position.
Longer pages always rank higher.
A page ranks when it answers the question best. Length that adds nothing only slows the reader down.
What should you do after you publish?
On-page work does not end at publishing. Request indexing in Search Console, check that the page appears, and look again after a few weeks at which searches bring visitors. Update the page when the answer changes.
At Domeq, every website includes a full SEO setup, with Google Search Console and Google Analytics connected, and each page is built against a keyword map. See SEO for how the work is done, or run your own pages through the free website audit for a quick read of the basics.
Questions, answered.
What is on-page SEO?
It is the optimization of things on the page itself: the title, description, headings, content, images, internal links and markup. It is the part of SEO that you control directly.
How long should an SEO title be?
About 60 characters is a safe guide, because longer titles are often cut off in results. Put the main keyword near the start and make the title read well to a person.
Does the meta description affect rankings?
Not directly. It works as the advertisement for your page, so a clear one can win more clicks from the same ranking position.
How many H1 headings should a page have?
One. It states the page's main topic. Use H2 and H3 headings, in order, for the sections beneath it.
What is alt text, and do all images need it?
Alt text is a short description of an image for people who cannot see it and for search engines. Meaningful images need it. Decorative images should have empty alt text so assistive tools skip them.
What are internal links, and why do they matter?
They are links from one page of your site to another. They help search engines find pages and understand how topics connect, and they guide visitors to the next step.
How often should I run this checklist?
Before every page goes live, and again when you update a page or after a redesign, which is when titles and links most often break.
Keep reading.
More guides on the same topic, and on the ones around it.
- Keyword Research for a Small Business: A Step-by-Step MethodLearn keyword research for a small business: list what customers search, group the terms by intent, check the results and choose one phrase per page.SEO
- Google Business Profile Checklist: Set Up and Maintain ItA Google Business Profile checklist for local businesses: details to fill in, how to verify, what to post, handling reviews and what to check each month.SEO
- How to Set Up Google Search Console and Google AnalyticsSet up Google Search Console and Google Analytics for a new website: a step-by-step guide, how to connect them and mistakes to avoid.SEO
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