On-page SEO (Search Engine Optimization) refers to the practice of optimizing individual web pages in order to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. On-page refers to both the content and HTML source code of a page that can be optimized, as opposed to off-page SEO which refers to links and other external signals.
On-page SEO Basics
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H2: Keyword Research
The first step in on-page SEO is conducting keyword research to determine the terms and phrases that potential customers are searching for. This research can be done using tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz Keyword Explorer.
Optimizing Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
The title tag and meta description are two of the most important on-page SEO elements. These tags provide search engines with a summary of what the page is about and help determine if a page is relevant to a user’s search query.
Title Tags
Title tags should accurately describe the content of the page and be no more than 60 characters in length. The primary keyword should be included in the title tag, but it should also be written in a natural and engaging way.
Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions should also accurately describe the content of the page and be no more than 160 characters in length. They should include the primary keyword, but again, should be written in a natural and engaging way.
Optimizing Headings
Headings (H1-H6) are used to structure the content on a webpage and signal to search engines the importance of different sections on the page.
H1 Headings
The H1 heading is the most important heading and should be used for the main title or subject of the page. There should only be one H1 heading per page, and it should include the primary keyword.
H2-H6 Headings
H2-H6 headings can be used to break up the content on a page and provide additional structure. They should be used in descending order of importance (H2 being the next most important after H1, and H6 being the least important).
Content Optimization
The content on a page is also important for on-page SEO. It should be high-quality, relevant, and informative. It should also include the primary keyword and related keywords, but they should be used in a natural and non-spammy way.
Content Length
Longer content tends to rank better than shorter content, as long as it is high-quality and relevant.
Images and Videos
Images and videos can also be optimized for on-page SEO by including descriptive file names and alt text.
URL Optimization
The URL of a page is also an important on-page SEO factor. URLs should be short and include the primary keyword.
Internal Linking
Internal linking, or linking to other pages on the same website, can also improve on-page SEO. It can help search engines better understand the structure of a site and can also help users navigate the site.
Technical SEO
Website speed
The speed of a website can also be important for on-page SEO, as faster sites tend to rank higher.
Mobile optimization
Mobile optimization is also important for on-page SEO, as more and more users are accessing the internet from mobile devices.