On-page SEO complete guide for beginners - 20 pro tips

Add Your Main Keyword Early On In Your Content:

Including your main keyword in the first 100-150 words of your content is an important factor for on-page SEO. By doing this, you are signaling to Google that your content is relevant to the search query. It also helps users understand what the content is about. However, don't stuff the content with keywords, make sure to use them naturally and avoid keyword stuffing.

Wrap Your Blog Post Title in an H1 Tag:

Your blog post title should always be wrapped in an H1 tag. It helps search engines understand that the title is the main heading of the page. Using H1 tags for other headings on the page is not recommended as it can confuse search engines and hurt your SEO.

Wrap Subheadings in H2 Tags:

Subheadings help organize your content and make it easier for users to read. For on-page SEO, it is important to use H2 tags for subheadings. It helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your content and what each section is about.

Keyword Frequency:

Keyword frequency refers to how often your target keyword appears on the page. While it is important to include the keyword in your content, using it too many times can lead to keyword stuffing and harm your SEO. Aim for a natural and appropriate use of the keyword throughout the content. As a general rule of thumb, if the page mentions the keyword 10 times, Google can be more confident about that pages topic.

Use External (Outbound) Links:

Including outbound links to high-quality sources can be beneficial for your on-page SEO. It shows Google that your page is a hub of quality information and can help establish your website's authority. Make sure to link to relevant and reputable sources.

Internal Linking:

Internal linking refers to linking to other pages on your website. It is an important factor for on-page SEO, as it helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your website and what each page is about. When linking to other pages, make sure to use keyword-rich anchor text and link to high-authority pages on your website.

Optimize Your URLs for SEO:

Optimizing your URLs for SEO is an important factor for on-page SEO. Make sure to make your URLs short and include a keyword in every URL. Also, the closer the keyword is to the beginning of the title tag, the better.

Use Title Tag Modifiers:

Using title tag modifiers that can help you rank for long-tail keywords. Including modifiers in your title tags can make them more attractive to users and increase click-through rates.

Use One Keyword Per Title:

Google has been very clear on this, each title tag should focus on a single keyword. Trying to target multiple keywords with a single title tag can lead to keyword cannibalization and harm your SEO.

Your Title Tags Should Make People Want to Click:

Your title tags should be enticing and make people want to click. Use words like "ultimate", "proven", and "step-by-step" to increase the click-through rate.

Use Unique, Keyword-Rich Meta Descriptions:

Your meta description is the snippet of text that appears under your title tag in search results. Make sure to write unique, keyword-rich meta descriptions that expand on your title tag, include your target keyword, and are short and to the point. Also, make sure to match search intent by providing a clear and concise summary of what the content is about.

Use Unique, Keyword-Rich Meta Descriptions

The meta description is the snippet of text that appears below the title tag on search engine results pages (SERPs). While it doesn't directly affect SEO, a well-crafted meta description can encourage users to click through to your website.

Make sure your meta descriptions are unique and describe the content of the page accurately. Include your main keyword, and consider using active voice to make the description more engaging. Keep it short and sweet, around 150-160 characters.

Match your meta description to the user's search intent. If someone is searching for a product review, make sure your meta description clearly states that your page is a product review.

Write Unique Titles, Descriptions, and Content

Creating unique content is essential for SEO. Duplicate content can harm your rankings, and Google won't display multiple pages with the same content on SERPs. Make sure each page on your website has unique content, title tags, and meta descriptions.

When creating content, focus on providing value to the user. Make sure your content is clear, easy to read, and free of errors. Use subheadings to break up large blocks of text, and consider using bullet points or numbered lists to make information easier to digest.

Valuable Content

The key to creating valuable content is to focus on the user. Make sure your content is clear, concise, and provides value to the user. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on creating content that satisfies the user's search intent.

Be clear and concise when writing your content. Use simple language and short sentences and paragraphs. Make sure your content is easy to read and visually appealing. Use images and other visual elements to break up large blocks of text.

Content That Satisfies Search Intent

Search intent is the reason behind a user's search query. Understanding search intent is critical for creating content that satisfies the user's needs. When creating content, consider the user's search intent and make sure your content provides a solution to their problem.

For example, if someone is searching for "best running shoes," they are likely looking for product recommendations. Create a post that highlights the best running shoes on the market, and include information on each shoe's features and benefits.

Use Review or FAQ Schema

Schema markup is a code that helps search engines understand the content of your website. Review and FAQ schema are two types of schema that can improve your website's visibility on SERPs.

Review schema allows you to add star ratings and other review-related information to your website's search result. This can increase the click-through rate to your website and improve user engagement.

FAQ schema allows you to add frequently asked questions and their answers to your website's search result. This can improve your website's visibility on SERPs and provide users with quick answers to their questions.

Add the Current Year to Title and Description

Adding the current year to your title and description can increase the click-through rate to your website. People often search for the latest information, and adding the current year to your title and description can signal that your content is up-to-date and relevant.

For example, instead of using a title like "Best Running Shoes," you could use "Best Running Shoes of 2023." This signals to users that your content is current and up-to-date.

Push Content Above the Fold

Above the fold refers to the portion of your website that is visible without scrolling. When someone lands on your website from a search engine, they want their answer fast. Pushing your content above the fold can increase the chances that users will engage with your website.

Avoid using massive images or other elements above the fold that can slow down your website. Make sure your headline and introduction are front and center, so users can quickly see what your content.

Chunk Your Content:

When creating content, it's important to make it as easy to read and skim as possible. This means breaking up your content into smaller chunks and using H2 subheadings to help guide readers through your post. By doing this, readers can quickly find the information they're looking for and understand the structure of your article.

Use Original Images:

While stock images can be convenient, using original images can actually help your SEO. Original images can help your content stand out and add value to your readers. Additionally, Google likes to see original content, including images, as it shows that you are putting effort into creating quality content. Make sure to optimize your images with descriptive filenames and alt text as well.

Write Comprehensive Content:

Google favors comprehensive, in-depth content that covers an entire topic. This means that you should aim to cover a topic thoroughly and provide as much value as possible to your readers. This not only helps your SEO, but it also helps to establish you as an authority in your niche and build trust with your audience.

LSI Keywords:

LSI keywords, or latent semantic indexing keywords, are synonyms and related phrases that Google uses to determine the relevance of your content to a particular topic. By including LSI keywords in your content, you can help Google understand the context and meaning of your content. This can help improve your rankings for relevant searches and drive more traffic to your site.

Boost Your Page Speed:

Page speed is an important factor in SEO, as slow-loading pages can negatively impact user experience and ultimately drive visitors away from your site. To boost your page speed, consider removing unnecessary third-party scripts and optimizing your images and code. You can also consider using a content delivery network (CDN) to improve loading times for users around the world.

Image Optimization:

Optimizing your images is an important part of SEO. This includes using descriptive filenames and alt text to help Google understand what your images are about. Additionally, compressing your images can help improve your page speed, which is another important ranking factor.

Look for Subtopics Among Keyword Rankings:

When optimizing your content for SEO, it's important to look for subtopics and related keywords that you can include in your content. This not only helps to provide more value to your readers, but it also helps to establish your site as an authority on a particular topic. By targeting relevant subtopics and using related keywords, you can improve your chances of ranking for a variety of relevant searches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, on-page SEO is crucial for ensuring that your website is optimized for search engines and that your content ranks higher in search results. Ahrefs provides a comprehensive guide to on-page SEO for beginners, which covers everything from using your main keyword early on in your content to using original images and LSI keywords. Following these tips can help you create valuable content that satisfies search intent, while also optimizing your website's speed and structure. Ultimately, the key to successful on-page SEO is creating comprehensive, high-quality content that meets the needs of your audience and ranks well in search results.

Q: Why is on-page SEO important?

A: On-page SEO is important because it helps search engines understand the content and context of your web pages, which can lead to higher visibility and better rankings in search results. By optimizing your content for relevant keywords, using proper header tags, internal and external links, and providing valuable and informative content, you can increase the chances of your website being seen by potential customers and clients.

Q: What is keyword frequency and how important is it for on-page SEO?

A: Keyword frequency refers to the number of times a keyword appears in a piece of content. While it is important to include your target keyword in your content, overusing it can actually hurt your rankings. Instead, focus on using your target keyword naturally and sparingly, and use related keywords and LSI keywords to provide more context and relevance to your content.

Q: How can I optimize my URLs for SEO?

A: Here are some tips for optimizing your URLs for SEO:

• Make them short and concise

• Include your target keyword in the URL

• Use hyphens to separate words

• Keep the URL structure consistent across your website

• Avoid using numbers and special characters in your URLs

Q: What are some best practices for internal linking in on-page SEO?

A: Here are some best practices for internal linking in on-page SEO:

• Use relevant and descriptive anchor text

• Link to high-authority pages

• Use a natural linking structure

• Link to pages that are relevant to the content on the page

• Avoid over-optimizing with too many internal links

Q: How important is content quality for on-page SEO?

A: Content quality is one of the most important factors for on-page SEO. Your content should be informative, valuable, and engaging for your target audience. By providing high-quality content, you can increase the chances of your website being shared and linked to by other websites, which can boost your visibility and rankings in search results.

Q: How can I optimize my images for on-page SEO?

A: Here are some tips for optimizing your images for on-page SEO:

• Use descriptive filenames and alt text

• Compress your images to reduce file size

• Use relevant and descriptive captions and titles

• Use images that are relevant to the content on the page

• Avoid using stock images that are overused and not unique

Q: What are LSI keywords and how can I use them in on-page SEO?

A: LSI (latent semantic indexing) keywords are related keywords and phrases that help search engines understand the context and relevance of your content. By using LSI keywords, you can provide more depth and relevance to your content, which can improve your rankings in search results. Some ways to find LSI keywords include using Googles auto-suggest feature, analyzing competitor content, and using tools like Ahrefs Keyword Explorer.

Q: How important is page speed for on-page SEO?

A: Page speed is an important factor for on-page SEO because it impacts user experience and engagement. Slow-loading pages can increase bounce rates and decrease time spent on your website, which can negatively affect your rankings in search results. By optimizing your page speed through techniques like reducing file sizes, minifying code, and using a content delivery network (CDN), you can improve your websites user experience and SEO performance.

Q: How can I use schema markup for on-page SEO?

A: Schema markup is a type of microdata that can be added to your websites HTML to provide more context and relevance to your content. By using schema markup, you can help search engines understand the purpose and content of your pages, which can improve your visibility and rankings in search results. Some common types of schema markup include review and FAQ schema, which can provide additional information