Getting more organic traffic is key to reaching your audience online. Here is a checklist with practical tips to help you improve your website’s SEO and drive more visitors to your site.
Download the full checklist here.
1. OPTIMIZE YOUR WEBSITE LANGUAGE
Make sure your website is in the language your audience searches for on Google. For instance, if you’re targeting the Dutch market, ensure the URLs, page titles, and content are in Dutch, not English. This helps search engines index the right language and improves your visibility in local search results.
Ensure all URLs, page titles, and descriptions are in the target language.
Avoid using multiple languages on the same page.
Make language-switching options easily accessible in the navigation bar and footer.
Translate all metadata (title tags, meta descriptions) for different language versions.
2. INVEST IN QUALITY LINK BUILDING
Both internal and external links play a crucial role in SEO. Internal links help users navigate your site and signal which pages are most important, while quality backlinks from reputable sources boost your domain authority. Aim for quality over quantity, and audit your links regularly for broken ones.
Audit for broken links and fix them immediately (use tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog).
Create a list of high-quality websites and reach out for guest posting or backlinks.
Use internal links strategically to highlight important pages and improve site navigation.
Avoid excessive outbound links to your website that direct users to external sites.
Regularly monitor backlinks for quality and remove low-quality links.
3. IMPROVE WEBSITE SPEED & NAVIGATION
A fast-loading website is essential for both user experience and SEO. Compress images and minimize CSS files for faster load times. Also, make sure your navigation bar and footer are clear and user-friendly, helping visitors find what they need without frustration.
Compress images and videos to reduce file sizes and improve loading times.
Minimize JavaScript and CSS files for faster load times.
Conduct a mobile responsiveness check to ensure the site performs well on all devices.
Set up a clear, easy-to-use navigation structure for users and search engines.
4. FIX TECHNICAL SEO ISSUES
Don’t overlook common problems like broken links, missing H1 tags, and duplicated content. These can harm your SEO score and user experience. Regularly audit your site to address these issues.
Fix broken links (use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console).
Ensure each page has a unique and properly formatted H1 tag.
Create unique meta descriptions for every page (keep them between 150-160 characters).
Avoid duplicate content, especially on important pages.
Regularly check for 404 errors and set up 301 redirects when needed.
Submit an XML sitemap to search engines and keep it up to date.
5. OPTIMIZE YOUR CONTENT
Each page should have sufficient content (300+ words) that includes relevant keywords naturally. Add multimedia elements like images or videos with descriptive alt text to engage users and improve accessibility. Don’t forget to keep your content fresh by updating it regularly.
Add sufficient content to all pages (minimum of 300-500 words recommended).
Use relevant keywords naturally throughout the content.
Include multimedia elements (images, videos, infographics) to enhance user engagement.
Regularly update older content to keep it fresh and relevant.
Optimize images with descriptive alt text to improve accessibility and SEO.
Use header tags (H2, H3, etc.) to break up content for easier readability.
6. ON-PAGE SEO IMPROVEMENTS
Use keyword-rich but natural-sounding URLs.
Include primary keywords in the first 100 words of the content.
Add calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the content to increase conversions.
Use short paragraphs and bullet points to improve readability.
Add internal links to related content to keep users engaged and improve site structure.
7. ENSURE YOUR WEBSITE IS MOBILE-FRIENDLY
Make sure to test your website on various mobile devices.
Conduct a mobile usability test to identify any issues on smartphones and tablets.
Ensure that buttons and links are large enough for mobile users.
8. USER-EXPERIENCE (UX) ENHANCEMENTS
A positive user experience is crucial for keeping visitors on your site and guiding them toward conversion.
Conduct A/B testing to improve website elements like CTA buttons or layouts.
Monitor bounce rates and identify pages where users drop off.
Implement live chat or a chatbot to assist visitors in finding information.
9. LOCAL SEO (IF APPLICABLE)
If your business has a local presence, optimizing for local SEO can help you reach customers in your area more effectively.
Add location-based keywords to your content.
Encourage customers to leave reviews on Google and other platforms.
Include local business schema markup on your site.
Add your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistently across your site and local directories.
10. SEO MONITORING & ANALYSIS
Tracking your SEO performance is essential to understand what’s working and where improvements are needed.
Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor traffic and SEO performance.
Track keyword rankings using tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs.
Monitor for sudden traffic drops, which could indicate SEO issues.
Set up alerts for significant changes in website traffic or keyword rankings.
Implement our checklist and start driving more visitors to your website!