Tweet

The Best Damn On-Page Optimization Process Checklist, Period

Written by: Stoney G deGeyter

Article Overview: I like to create systems for everything that I do and SEO is no exception. While not every aspect of search engine marketing can be programmed, categorized or easily referenced, the bulk of the work can at least be outlined into a handy check list.

The Best Damn On-Page Optimization Process Checklist, Period

Processes and checklists are an important part of my daily routine. I'm a very process oriented individual. Give me a checklist and I get things done. Give me a job without a checklist and I'll create one. Give me a job that falls outside of the routine or is difficult to put into a checklist and I'm screwed!

I like to create systems for everything that I do and SEO is no exception. While not every aspect of search engine marketing can be programmed, categorized or easily referenced, (I have a mighty team to handle that stuff!) the bulk of the work can at least be outlined into a handy check list. With no further ado, I give you...

***The Best Damn On-Page Optimization Checklist, Period***

*Choose the core term*
It all starts with keyword research. By this point we've already gone through the site and performed extensive core term research. You can learn more about the keyword research process by reading Keyword Research And Selection document.

Selecting which core term to optimize "next" doesn't have to be difficult but a few things need to be considered:

• Relevance: Core term must be very relevant to the business


• Importance: How important is this core term in relation to the other yet-to-be-optimized core terms


• Audience targeting: Will this bring in highly targeted traffic in comparison to the other core terms?


• Search volume: Will this bring in solid volumes of traffic in relation to the other core terms?

*Evaluate page/core term legitimacy*
Here we then take a closer look at the core term/page relationship to ensure that they are a solid match. With some sites, certain pages and core terms could be interchangeable. What we want to do here is to make sure that the page being optimized for any core term is the best possible fit. We want to be sure that the keywords can fit naturally into the content and are the best words to represent the message being conveyed.

*Core term/key phrase research*
Now that we've settled the core term/page issue, we can complete the keyword research process for this core term. This process requires a great deal of research, editing, analyzing, etc. Again, the "how-to" can be found in the Keyword Research and Selection document linked above. By the end of this process we'll have found all relevant supporting phrases and have selected fifteen or so that we'll be optimizing into the page.

*Develop / rework page content*
Once all the keywords are finalized, it's time to start working on the on-page content. It's the role of the copywriter to develop the first round of content, working in keywords naturally. But with any written document, the first draft is rarely the last. We analyze a number of factors before moving the text to the next stage of review:

• Keyword usage: Ensuring natural flow of copy while maintaining a proper keyword balance


• Headings: Using headings that are compelling and informative


• Title tag: Create a compelling, keyword rich title for the page


• Description tag: Build a description that is both compelling and reinforces the keyword relevance of the page


• Voice: The site should use a consistent voice from page to page


• Active words: Using words that do more than inform but compel action


• Features & Benefits: Be sure to list out not just features but benefits. Bullets are great for this kind of information


• Skimming & Scanning: Make the document easy to skim and scan while giving the reader the important information as they do so


• Calls to Action: Work in textual calls that drive the visitor to the point of conversion

*Text usability review*
Once the text is hammered out, we then send it to a third party for a "usability review". Their job is to look at the text from a customer standpoint and see if they can find any place where the text breaks down in the conversion process. This includes finding poorly worded sentences, titles or headings that may fail at their jobs, and ensuring that the reader absolutely knows what they are expected to do next and/or drives them to the information they came for in the first place.

*Page usability review*
At this stage we go ahead and add the content to a development version of the page being optimized and review the page as a whole for usability. We want to make sure the page is able to convey its purpose visually, both with images, formatting, etc. We'll add or change things as necessary to ensure the page provides the reader with the best possible visual representation.

We also take a look at coding issues to ensure there are no potential spidering issues from malformed HTML. If we can streamline the code in any way. By reducing code bloat we can facilitate faster download times, and ensure the relevant information loads first.

*SEO review*
Next we send the text onto the SEO to go over and analyze to ensure the page maintains proper keyword balance between titles, headings, and body content. The SEO also looks at proper usage of alt tags and does any other minor adjusting as is necessary, without destroying any of the copy flow.

*Final approval*
The page is now ready for final approval. Whether that means sending the optimized (development) version to the client for review, or submitting it to the boss, we want to get that final stamp of approval before it goes live. Just like anything, we do expect more minor changes to be made until the page is "perfect".

*Last thoughts*

Each process mentioned above can (and does) have a checklist of it's own. Virtually all of the details for actual SEO work has been left our as the purpose here is to focus on the overall process of optimizing a page. I am a firm believer that the process is just as important as the work being done. While it's the details that bring success, the process ensures that no details get overlooked. In this business, overlooking any detail can result in less-than-stellar performance.

Related Articles
  100 Ways to Succeed #52
  I Need to Read My Own Book
  Advice for Buying an Established Small Business – Does your business due diligence checklist confirm the business sellers’ financial claims?
  Hire On Attitude Not Skill
  Strategic Internet Marketing

Article Tags: audience, checklists, closer look, core term, daily routine, handy check, job, keyword research, legitimacy, li li, match, page optimization, relationship, relevance, search engine marketing, search volume, traffic



Related Forum Posts
Re: How can I promote my site? - To promote website online you need to hire professional SEO expert because you have to perform the below activities for your website promotion:- Start On page optimization which includes the following task:- 1. Meta tag optimization 2. Header Tag Optimization 3. Alt tag Optimization 4. Content Optimization 5. Anchor Text Optimization 6. URL Optimization 7. Navigation Optimization After On page optimization, Start off Page Optimization which includes the following task:- 1. Link building 2. Directory submission 3. Classified Ads submission 4. Article submission 5. Press Release submission 6. Social Bookmarking 7. Business Listing 8. Local Listing 9. Blog Optimization 10. PPT Creation & Optimization
Scooter - Evan what is the model your scooter? How much does it cost to get a licence and where sis you do it. I can see this as a conveinient mode of transportation too - Damn $5 to fill a tank! How many miles/KM do you get?
Re: Franchising Brokers vs Franchising Consultants - Thanks Mike... great points and well taken. One suggestion: because of the length of your post, I would suggest going into the post and 'edit' (you'll need to log in, then you'll see the edit option), then add some space between each paragraph... this will make it easier on our eyes and more readers will appreciate your well written post. Damn good post, by the way!
Re: SEO... - SEO is method to optimizing website in search engine .....making you're website popular in search engine ...SEO is have 2 activity is on page and off page ... On Page Optimization : choice and improving keyword in Url, Title, Content, Keyword tags ... Off Page Optimization : article submission forum submission press release submission blog walking social networking blog commenting internet marketing social bookmarking.. Thanks
Re: Link Building Tactics Series Part 2 - sorry i dont know link building tactics part 1 .... in my knowledge that i get from google, link building tactics is used SEO (on page and off page) .. On Page Optimization : choice and improving keyword in Url, Title, Content website, Keyword tags .. Off Page Optimization : article submission forum submission press release submission internet marketing social bookmarking social networking blog walking blog commenting Thanks for shared


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Five keys to business success

Ten Steps to Go from Idea to E-book for Sale

Ways to Improve Your Landing Page Conversions

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.