OK, you've heard and read it a hundred times by now: search engine optimisation is and will always be a good method to attract more website visitors in the long run. So far, in all our blogs we have provided information on what search engine optimisation is, what trends there are in 2019 and we have also provided some tips. What you are still missing now is an explanation on how to apply SEO to your own website. Therefore, this is not a standard blog, this blog is all about helping you move forward in terms of SEO. And no, not by giving only abstract tips. In fact, this is a search engine optimisation checklist.
In this blog, you will read step by step how to use search engine optimisation for your website. The search engine optimisation checklist is divided into 3 parts, namely: the technical side, the research part and the on-page side. Follow these steps and make sure your website is fully search engine optimised.
Technical search engine optimisation checklist
Install Google Analytics. This is essential to check whether your SEO strategy is successful. You can determine this by looking at different indicators such as the number of website visits, conversion and turnover. You can use tools such as Ahrefs Use it to measure your keyword ranking and link building. Alternatives are: OpensiteExplorer, MajesticSEO, Semrush and SEranking.
Do you use WordPress? Download and install the Yoast SEO plugin. With this plugin you can easily identify what improvements are needed on your website pages to optimise texts for the search engines.
Verify your site in Google Search Console. This tool makes sure you have insight into how Google's search engine rates your website. Read this guide for more information about the Google Search Console.
Improve your website performance and speed. Analyse your site with Google PageSpeed Insights. When your score is 80+, the website is in good shape. If you want to speed up your website, you can do so using free WordPress Plugins: GTMetrix and Kraken.
Test website usability on mobile phones. Google values the 'Mobile-first' principle. Make sure your website is optimised for mobile phones. Perform the test via Google Mobile-Friendly Test.
Keyword search engine optimisation checklist
Develop a Buyer Persona (the ideal customer): This is the first step in researching the right keywords. Customers who don't know you yet are not looking for your company's website (yet). They are first looking for valuable information or products that can fulfil their needs. Defining a buyer persona is the crucial first step in finding out what your ideal customer types in on Google.
Keyword Strategy: Focus on keywords on which there is less competition initially. These are the so-called body and long-tail keywords. These are often keywords that competitors overlook. In addition, make sure you create content around several keywords, rather than focusing on a single keyword.
Brainstorm for keywords. Within a short space of time, you can findthousands of long tail keywords. Make use of several free tools for this. Start with Wikipedia to find topics and synonyms related to your business. You can find the long tail keywords by using 3 free tools: Google Autocomplete, Ubersuggest & Keyword Shitter.
Narrow down your keyword list: Analyse search volume data from the free tool Keyword Everywhere Extension or Google Keyword Planner. Make sure you consider the Cost-Per-Click (CPC), as a guide to reduce your list. The higher the Cost-Per-Click, the more disadvantageous it is.
Choose the Keywords you will actually use: Once you have narrowed down your list to possible keywords and phrases, start checking the first page of Google for each possible remaining keyword. Look for large or well-known sites with quality content. Next, use data from the MOZ SEO Toolbartool to check how much authority and links your competitors have accumulated. Eliminate all keywords that are too competitive and focus on those where you have a chance to rank high in the search engines. Your chosen keywords will become the core of all your content.
On-page search engine optimisation checklist
Choose one keyword per page. Generally speaking, it is more convenient to start with keywords with low search volumes. You are many times more likely to rank higher in the search engines for such a keyword. (Quick win!)
Write Title Tags that the search engine loves. Every page of your website should have a unique Title tag. Prefer Title tag that starts with a relevant keyword. Use additions like "best", "top", "2018" to stand out and make use of long tail keywords. Title tags should have a maximum of 55 characters or less, otherwise part of the title will fall away in the search engine.
Best practices for URLs. Use short URLs that contain your keyword, e.g. www.jouwdomeinnaam.nl/blog/target-keyword. And, always use dashes in your URL.
Create an attractive Meta description and make sure people click through to your site. Explain the advantages of your blog post or product over those of the competitor already visible in the search engine. The meta description should be under 160 characters, otherwise it will drop out in the search engine.
Optimise your photo for Google image search results. Use the keyword in the file name and make sure the alt text of the image contains the keyword.
Minimise the bounce rate. A bounce is when a website visitor leaves your web page immediately. Make the topic clear by including your keyword in the first 100 words of your article.
Boost your SEO with your Heading Tags. Your keyword should appear at least once in H2 or H3 subheading.
Make use of outbound links. In all your blog posts, use at least 2 outbound links to other sites with authority, such as popular blogs or news sites.
Add internal links. When publishing a new blog, use 2 or 3 internal links to older blog posts.
Publish long content. Your blog posts should be at least 300 words and 1,500 words for keywords you want to compete with.
Use a share button for social media channels. Make sure the share buttons for social media are visible with every blog post. For example, use DiggDigg WordPress plugin for this purpose .
Repeat these steps for each blog or landing page.
Congratulations! You have completed all the steps of the search engine optimisation checklist and your website pages are now fully optimised for the Google search engine. Make sure you monitor your website for SEO at least once a week to avoid any setbacks. It is important that you continuously maintain your website to ensure that you continue to score well on SEO.
