SEO Checklists are process templates that direct the implementation of strategy and optimization.
AHREFs provide a great example of some SEO Checklists for different factums of improvement.
SEO Basics Checklist
- Set Up Google Search Console
- Set up Bing Webmaster Tools
- Set up Google Analytics
- Install an SEO plugin
- Create and Submit Sitemap
- Create a robots.txt file
The most important part about using any checklist is making sure they are up to date and do not incur any technical debts. The second template is focused on technical elements of SEO.
Technical SEO Checklist
- Set Up Structure/Site Architecture
- QA for Crawl Issues
- QA for Index Issues
- QA for SSL/HTTPs Issues
- QA for Server Performance & Mobile Experience
- Create / Install Image Compression scripts, plugins
- Check and Fix Broken Pages, Redirects
- Check and Fix Duplicate Content, Canonicals
Modifying a CMS or using a customized platform carries inherent risks, such as compatibility issues, technical challenges, and SEO risks. Keeping up with the necessary technical SEO maintenance items will enhance the performance of any eCommerce website; strategies include research, content development, and on-page SEO.
Here are some more checklists for the less technical aspects of search marketing.
Keyword Research SEO Checklist
- Set Up Primary Keyword/Secondary Keyword Targets
- QA for Service Pages, Align Search Intent
- QA for Keyword Competition
- QA for Related Keywords, Supporting Content
Keeping up with the necessary keyword research required to grow the business takes third-party tools for research, databases, experience, effort, and time. When keyword research is done correctly it is definitely worth the investment.
Content Publishing SEO Checklist
- Set Up Topic Silos, Supporting Content Architecture
- Research Topic, Related Keywords
- Include Subheadings, Paragraph Headings, Target Keywords
- Include External Links, Internal Linking Opportunities
- Include Image Content
- QA for Quality, Expertise & Helpfulness of Content
Following a well-designed SEO checklist will create accountability and transparency between teams collaborating on the project.
On-Page SEO Checklist
- Write a Provocative Title Tag based on Keyword Research
- Write a Provocative Meta Description based on intent, Keyword Research
- Create a Secondary Keyword Hierarchy for H1/2/3/4 tags
- Add schema.org or other Technical Markups
- Add internal links, external links to resources where needed
- QA for Keyword Targets in Title, Description, H1/h2/h3/h4
- QA for Meta Description Copywriting
- QA for Title Tag, H1 Copywriting
- QA for External Links, Internal Linking Opportunities
- QA for Design, UX, Image Content
- QA for Quality, Expertise & Helpfulness of Content
Link Building SEO Checklist
- Competitor Research & Benchmarking
- Link Reclamation
- Pursue Unlinked Mentions
- Research Link Opportunities to Inferior Content
- Replicate Competitor Links
- Reach Out for Guest Posts
- Share Content on Social
- Publish Guest Posts
Learn more on AHREFs blog here.
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