On-Page SEO Checklist for Higher Google Rankings

Google’s at it again, tweaking algorithms and keeping us all on our toes. But while the digital world keeps evolving, one thing hasn’t changed: on-page SEO still pulls the strings behind the scenes. 

If you’ve been obsessing over backlinks but haven’t checked your meta tags since 2021, this blog’s your gentle nudge. Use this on page SEO checklist to make sure your site’s still playing by the rules and showing up where it counts. 

5 Core Areas Every On-Page SEO Checklist Should Cover 

Here are 5 essential on-page SEO areas that every page needs to get right:  

Title Tags, Meta Descriptions, and URL Structure 

Let’s start with the basics. Your meta title and description are the first things users see on a Google search. A well-crafted meta title should: 

1. Be under 60 characters. 

2. Include your main keyword (but naturally). 

3. Spark interest or offer value. 

Meta descriptions? Keep them around 150–160 characters, make them persuasive, and echo your keyword once. 

Don’t forget the URL. Keep it short, readable, and keyword-friendly. A URL like /on-page-seo-checklist beats /blog123?ref=seo any day. 

Mini Checklist: 

1. Title tag includes target keyword. 

2. Description is concise and clickable. 

3. The URL is clean and relevant. 

4. Avoid duplication across pages. 

Keyword Placement that Feels Human, Not Stuffed 

We’ve moved past keyword stuffing (thankfully). Now it’s all about natural integration. Your keywords should appear: 

1. In the first 100 words. 

2. In at least one header (preferably H1 or H2). 

3. Sprinkled naturally through the content. 

4. Once in the conclusion. 

This approach, combined with semantic SEO, helps Google understand the context, not just the keyword. NLP-driven indexing is becoming the norm in on page SEO in 2025, so write like you’re speaking to your audience, not to a bot. 

Avoid traps like awkward keyword repetition or cramming phrases that don’t fit. Google’s smarter than that and so are your readers. 

Headings Hierarchy and Structured Content Flow 

Heading tags aren’t just for show. A proper hierarchy like H1 for the title, H2s for main sections, H3s for subpoints not only helps Google crawl your page but also improves readability. 

Why it matters: A clear content structure boosts dwell time and reduces bounce rates, two signals search engines love. 

And remember, structured content improves accessibility, too. That’s a win for SEO and user experience. 

Image Optimisation is More Than Just Alt Text 

Images should enhance and not slow down your page. Compress them to maintain site speed (hello, Core Web Vitals). And go beyond just alt text: 

1. Use descriptive file names (seo-checklist-2025.jpg). 

2. Add image captions when relevant. 

3. Embrace next-gen formats like WebP or AVIF. 

Want to go a step further? Add contextually relevant images to reinforce your content’s topic. This small move supports semantic understanding, which is key for on page SEO in 2025. 

Internal Linking Strategy That Builds Relevance and Authority 

Think of internal links as signposts for both users and Google. They guide crawlers, distribute authority, and improve user engagement. A good internal linking setup: 

1. Links related topics with descriptive anchor text. 

2. Avoids “orphan” pages that aren’t connected to the site. 

3. Keeps important pages no more than 3 clicks deep. 

Use a mix of exact and partial match anchors and always prioritise relevance. 

Contact Haarty Hanks for On Page SEO Success 

Before diving into link-building campaigns, get your foundation right. This on page SEO checklist is your roadmap to making sure every page is doing its job. 

Even in 2025, on page SEO best practices aren’t optional, they’re essential. Run regular audits. Tweak what’s not working. With these on page SEO best practices, your website won’t just be indexed, it’ll be impossible to ignore in 2025.  

And if you ever feel like you could use a bit of expert support, get in touch with us. We’re here to help you move your website in the right direction.