On-page SEO refers to the practice of optimizing pages throughout a website in order to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. It involves optimizing various elements on pages to make the site friendlier to search engines as well as users. This includes optimizing content, HTML source code, and website architecture to improve its visibility and relevance for specific keywords or topics.

Key elements of on-page SEO include:

• Keyword optimization: Strategically using relevant keywords in titles, headings, meta descriptions, and throughout the content to signal the page’s topic to search engines.
• Quality content: Creating high-quality, valuable content that satisfies user intent and provides useful information.
• Meta tags: Writing compelling meta titles and descriptions that accurately describe the page’s content and encourage users to click through from search engine results pages (SERPs).
• URL structure: Creating clean, descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords and make it easy for users and search engines to understand the page’s topic.
• Internal linking: Linking to other relevant pages within the website to improve navigation and distribute link equity throughout the site.
• Image optimization: Optimizing image filenames, alt text, and captions to improve accessibility and provide additional context to search engines.

By implementing these on-page SEO best practices, website owners can improve their chances of ranking higher in search engine results and attracting more organic traffic to their site.

Page Titles

Page titles, also known as title tags, are HTML elements that define the title of a webpage. They appear as clickable headlines in search engine results pages (SERPs) and are displayed at the top of the browser window or tab when a user visits the page. Page titles are crucial for SEO because they provide search engines and users with an immediate indication of the page’s topic and relevance to a search query. Best practices for page titles include using relevant keywords, keeping them concise (typically under 60 characters), and ensuring they accurately reflect the content of the page. When possible, using the organization’s name and locality is also good practice although not at the cost of concise titles.

Headlines

Headlines, also called headings or H1 tags (when referring to the main heading of a page), are the titles or headings used within the content of a webpage to break up sections and provide structure. Headlines serve both SEO and user experience purposes. They help organize content, making it easier for readers to scan and understand the information presented. Additionally, search engines use headings to understand the structure and context of the page’s content. Like page titles, headlines should be descriptive, relevant, and include targeted keywords when appropriate. However, unlike page titles, headlines can be longer and more descriptive, providing additional context for the content beneath them. There is no limit to the length of a headline, but 70-80 characters is typically considered to be best practice.

Headings

Headings, also known as heading tags or H-tags, are HTML elements used to structure and organize the content of a webpage. They range from H1 to H6, with H1 being the highest level (main heading) and H6 being the lowest level (subheading). Here’s an overview of the headings:

• H1 (Heading 1): The main heading of the page, typically used to introduce the primary topic or subject matter. There should ideally be only one H1 tag per page, and it should succinctly summarize the page’s content.
• H2-H6 (Heading 2 to Heading 6): Subheadings that are used to further divide and organize the content into sections and subsections. These tags help readers understand the hierarchical structure of the content and navigate through it more easily.
  • H2 tags are used for major sections or topics within the content.
  • H3 tags are used for subsections within H2 sections, and so on, with each subsequent level indicating a deeper level of hierarchy.

Headings are not only important for organizing content from a readability standpoint but also for SEO purposes. Search engines use heading tags to recognize the structure and context of a webpage’s content, which can influence its ranking in search results. Therefore, it’s essential to use headings strategically, incorporating relevant keywords and ensuring that the hierarchy accurately reflects the organization of the content.

Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions are HTML attributes that provide concise summaries of the content of a web page. They are typically displayed underneath the page title in search engine results pages (SERPs) and serve to give users a preview of what the page is about before they click on the link.

Key points about meta descriptions:

• Summary of Content: Meta descriptions summarize the content of the web page in a few sentences (typically up to 160 characters), providing users with a snapshot of what they can expect to find if they click on the link.
• Encourage Click-Throughs: Well-crafted meta descriptions can entice users to click on the link by highlighting the relevance and value of the page’s content. They should be informative, engaging, and include a call to action when appropriate.
• SEO Impact: While meta descriptions do not directly influence search engine rankings, they can indirectly affect click-through rates (CTR), which can impact a page’s visibility in search results. A compelling meta description encouraging clicks can lead to higher CTRs, which may signal to search engines that the page is relevant and valuable to users.
• Unique for Each Page: Meta descriptions should be unique for each page on a website, accurately reflecting the specific content and purpose of that page. This helps search engines and users understand the relevance of the page to their search queries.

Overall, meta descriptions play a crucial role in attracting organic traffic to a website by providing users with relevant information about the page’s content and encouraging them to click through to learn more.

Image Alt Attributes

Image alt attributes, also known as alt text or alt tags, are HTML attributes used to describe the content of an image on a web page. They serve several important purposes:

• Accessibility: Alt attributes provide text alternatives for images, making web content more accessible to individuals who are visually impaired or who use screen readers to navigate the web. When an image cannot be displayed or loaded, the alt text is displayed instead, allowing users to understand the content or purpose of the image.
• SEO: Search engines use alt attributes to understand the subject matter of images and include them in image search results. Optimizing alt attributes with relevant keywords can improve the visibility of images in search engine results pages (SERPs) and drive organic traffic to the website.
• Image Display Settings: In some cases, when images are disabled or unavailable, alt attributes are displayed in place of the image. Additionally, users may choose to disable image loading to conserve bandwidth or for other reasons, in which case alt text provides context for the content.

Best practices for writing alt attributes include:

• Describe the content or purpose of the image accurately and succinctly.
• Including relevant keywords when appropriate, but avoiding keyword stuffing.
• Providing context that enhances the understanding of the surrounding content.
• Using alt text that is informative and meaningful to users, rather than generic or redundant descriptions.

Copy Review

Content that is well-written and free of grammatical errors is more enjoyable and easier to read for users. Poor grammar can detract from the credibility and professionalism of a website, potentially leading to higher bounce rates (users leaving the site quickly) and lower engagement metrics. Search engines aim to provide users with high-quality, relevant content, so they may prioritize pages that offer a better user experience. It is helpful to use online tools like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor to ensure your copy is concise and grammatically correct. For additional help,there are resources that will test the Flesh-Kincaid readability score of your copy. For most websites, a Flesh-Kincaid score of 60-70 is accessible for adults. A higher score may indicate complex vocabulary, excessively long sentences, or the use of too much technical jargon.

In addition to quality writing and information, formatting may make a big difference. Take a look at this article, you can see a preview of what this page would look like if headings, bullet points, and other formatting were removed. It is much more difficult to look at and read, thus less likely to be read or shared.