A comprehensive SEO checklist to optimize your website for search engines and improve visibility.

Before Publishing

Site Information:

• Create a site title under 60 characters with relevant keywords
• Write a unique site description (50-300 characters) that appears in search results
• Add distinct SEO descriptions for each page, blog post, product, and event
• Configure page title formats for browser tabs, social shares, and search results

Design Elements:

• Upload a browser icon (favicon) for brand recognition
• Add social sharing images for your site and individual pages
• Design a custom 404 page with useful navigation links
• Review content following SEO best practices

Domain and Technical Setup:

• Connect a custom domain for better branding
• Link social media profiles
• Enable SSL security
• Optimize URL slugs using relevant keywords
• Configure blog post URL structure

Location Information:

• Add business location details
• Create a Contact page with address and map
• Set up Google Business Profile

Post-Launch Tasks

Verification and Analytics:

• Verify site with Google Search Console
• Submit site for Google indexing
• Set up Bing Webmaster Tools
• Connect Google Analytics

Ongoing Maintenance

Content Management:

• Create strategic content updates
• Set up URL redirects for changed pages
• Maintain regular content additions
• Monitor site analytics and search rankings

Content Best Practices

Text Optimization:

• Use strategic keywords naturally
• Structure content with proper headings
• Create engaging, valuable content

Image Optimization:

• Add descriptive alt text
• Use readable file names
• Keep images under 500KB
• Maintain total page size under 5MB

Page Organization:

• Implement social sharing options
• Add meta descriptions
• Use tags and categories
• Create internal links
• Optimize URL structure

Note: Rankings may fluctuate temporarily after implementing changes. Allow 1-2 weeks for search engines to index updates. Monitor analytics to identify traffic patterns and adjust strategy accordingly.

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