March 20, 2023

On Page SEO: The Comprehensive Manual To Optimize Your Website

There is no time when you can sit back and be happy that your web page is always at the top of search engine results pages (SERPs).

Although you may have succeeded today, a search engine optimization expert's work is never finished, even with countless SEO tools and extensive keyword research.

It would help if you stayed on top of changes because any modification to the Google ranking factor or the content of rival websites could push you out of the top spot.

And as a result, you should focus on optimizing valuable content, which is called on-site SEO. However, it's crucial to have a general understanding of how Google and other search engines operate.

In this blog, we'll explore what is on-page SEO and why it is on-page SEO important.

What is on-page SEO?

On-page SEO, also known as on-site SEO, is optimizing specific pages on your website to improve search engine rankings and increase traffic from search engine results pages by updating on-page content, title tags, internal links, and more.

Search engines like Google look at keywords and other on-page SEO cues to determine whether a specific page matches a user's search intent. Additionally, the search engine will make your page rank higher in search results if it determines that it will be helpful to the user.

Off-page SEO builds the domain's authority by placing external links from other web pages. A "Domain Authority" score is calculated to determine how authoritative your web page is compared to other sites.

Any effective digital marketing strategy should include both.

However, on-page SEO factors are more in your hands. To develop your SEO strategy, it is wise to start by concentrating on those.

To give a few tips on creating more high-quality content, here is an on page SEO checklist for you!

  • Alt text for images
  • Core web vitals
  • Experience on the web page
  • Fast loading pages
  • Headings
  • Internal linking
  • Markup on schema
  • Mobile devices friendly
  • Page content
  • Page experience
  • Social tags
  • Title tags
  • URL structure

Why is on-page SEO important?

On-page SEO includes a plethora of advantages.

The amount of search traffic is the first factor. 67.6% of all clicks go to the top five organic results on a search page. Only 3.73% of the total comes from the next five. From there, it falls. So, if you want more traffic, you should be close to the top.

Second, websites with high search rankings have much higher click-through rates (CTR). The average organic CTR for the top Google mobile search result is 269 percent.

You can see the effect organic SEO can have on your bottom line when you consider that 92.4% of internet users who use their mobile phones to search for local businesses visit those businesses the same day.

Additionally, on-page optimization plays a significant role in your search engine rankings. Your web page must appeal to both humans and search engine bots alike.

On-Page SEO Elements

There are three main elements to on-site SEO. Learning about these can significantly boost your web page on Google rankings.

1. Content Elements

If you're currently auditing your on-page SEO, it's time to write your page content or clean it up.

The core of on-page SEO is page content, which allows you to share value with Google and your site visitors. Spend enough time and money developing and optimizing the page content since it is the foundation for all other on-page SEO components.

High-Quality Page Content

The process of producing high-quality content begins with selecting pertinent keywords and topics. Conduct keyword research by entering terms into Google and examining the results for rival and other websites.

Next, consider how your page's content fits into the buyer's journey and the search intent of your visitors. These will influence the target keyword options you can choose to use and the kinds of content you write.

E-A-T

E-A-T stands for expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. It is taken from Google's Search Quality Rater Guidelines, a 168-page manual used by quality raters to evaluate the accuracy of Google's search results.

In 2013, Google made this document available online to "assist webmasters in understanding what Google looks for in a web page."

All queries should use E-A-T, but some require it more than others.

E-A-T probably doesn't matter all that much if you're looking for images of cute dogs. It doesn't matter if you don't find a dog to be adorable; the subject is purely subjective.

On the other hand, e-A-T is unquestionably significant if you're looking for the proper hours of sleep for a teenager. The content that Google surfaces on this subject is likely to be inaccurate or misleading if written by an inexperienced author and published on a dubious web page with little authority.

Keywords

The language you employ is the simplest way to let visitors and search engines know that your website's information answers their questions.

Web pages that include the query's relevant keywords, whether in the body, headings, or both, are more likely to be pertinent to the search.

Sometimes it's simple to figure this out. Including keywords like "stove," "dining room set," and "kitchen rack" will probably be beneficial if you're optimizing the website of a furniture retailer.

Use a long-tail keyword phrase like contemporary art-deco sideboards if it's a specialized furniture store.

Simply put, you must be aware of the keyword terms your potential customers use on different search engines and produce content using these terms. Always do your homework to ensure you take advantage of all opportunities.

SEO Writing

If this is your first time doing it, writing copy that reads well and follows SEO best practices can be complex.

For users to find the information they're looking for quickly, you should emphasize readability.

Avoid keyword stuffing, also known as overusing keywords.

Dishonest SEO specialists previously employed this technique to manipulate search results, and Google does not favour websites that do so. If you are discovered to stuff keywords, your page may suffer a demotion in the SERPs or even be deleted entirely.

Keep sentences and paragraphs short.

If you've ever clicked on a webpage only to be met by an unbroken wall of text, you understand how difficult it is to read long writing passages.

Keep your sentences and paragraphs brief to avoid turning readers away.

Use subheadings

People scanning your page will notice them because of how large they are. To lead readers down the page, use enough of your content.

Make use of bulleted lists.

This may sound overly meta, but bulleted lists are an excellent way to organize information into manageable chunks. Use them when it makes sense.

Visual Assets

Making your page visually appealing to visitors is just one benefit of using images, videos, and infographics. Additionally, it offers you opportunities to improve your SEO.

Customers use visual search more than 36% of the time when they shop online, so you need to use images to avoid losing out on traffic.

Make sure your supporting text is optimized as much as possible at all times.

To avoid slow loading, be aware of your image file sizes. Make your images shareable to find opportunities for backlinking that can increase your E-A-T.

2. HTML Elements

Your webpages' structure and content are organized using HTML or Hyper Text Markup Language.

They instruct the user's browser on what and where to display. Furthermore, it informs search engines about the content of your page and where to place you on their search results page.

Page Titles

Strategic SEO planning for a particular page is crucial. And so are the specifics.

We consider various on-page components, including the page title tag, when optimising pages and content. When looking at an article, the user looks at the page's title first, and they check for duplicate title tags to identify the reliability of those who managed to rank higher.

There won't be many changes in rankings if you optimize it. However, when used with other page elements, it can add crucial context and subject-matter relevance to a page, section, and site.

We need to consider the effects of page title tags on click-through rates, our target audience's propensity to visit our site, and the SEO benefits and emphasis we give them.

The information in our title tag, which the search engines use as the blue link in the search results page, can influence whether a searcher clicks through to our site.

Headers

Headers are essential for the search engine optimization of your website. They improve user experience by making it simpler for visitors to browse your website, in addition to assisting search engines in comprehending the hierarchy and structure of your material.

Utilizing pertinent keywords and making sure they appropriately reflect the information on your page are both important parts of optimizing your headers for SEO. Although the function of headers for SEO has changed over time, they continue to be important for search engine results. Eighty percent of Google's first-page search results use an H1 header, according to Search Metrics.

Today, however, the significance of headers has changed from merely focusing on keywords to enhancing user experience. SEO is more about user optimization than search engine optimization, according to content master Neil Patel. Instead of loading your headers with keywords, concentrate on using them to create clear, succinct headings that make it simpler for your readers to navigate and comprehend your content.

Make sure to employ a hierarchy of header tags (H1 to H6) and arrange them in the proper sequence to optimize your headers for SEO. Your page's main heading should always be in the H1 tag, while subheadings should be in the H2 tag, and so on. Additionally, try to include pertinent keywords in your headers while maintaining a natural and readable style.

In conclusion, headers are crucial to both user experience and SEO. You may raise your website's search engine rankings and make it simpler for users to find and interact with your content by optimizing your headers for both.

Meta Descriptions

An HTML element called a "meta description" or "meta tags" offers a web page summary. The purpose of a page's meta description tag, which is included in the search snippet on a search engine results page (SERP), is to provide the user with a summary of the content on the page and how it relates to their search inquiry.

Even though there is strong evidence against meta descriptions being used as a ranking factor, only some are aware of this.

Despite their comparatively low usage in SEO, they provide two significant advantages: They can aid Google in understanding the purpose of your website, and more importantly, they have a substantial impact on your CTRs.

More clicks result from improved meta descriptions because they help searchers understand the content of your page. Don't disregard your meta tags and meta descriptions, though.

Any length is permissible for a meta description, but Google typically truncates snippets to between 155 and 160 characters. Meta descriptions are advised to be between 50 and 160 characters in length because it is best to keep them that length so they are sufficiently descriptive.

Image Optimization

You waste a valuable SEO asset if your images need to be appropriately optimized.

It's as if search engines were handing out free milk and Oreos. Only the Oreo is consumed, though. The Oreo is much better dipped in milk.

Numerous benefits result from image optimization, including improved user experience, quicker page loads, and more opportunities to rank well. In addition, the role is growing in significance.

Here is a short list of tips for better image optimization.

  • Choosing the proper image format
  • Compress images
  • Create original images
  • Watch out for copyright
  • Customize image file names
  • Make sure your alt text is friendly with the page's SEO
  • Make the photos friendly for mobile viewing

Structured Markup

Microdata comes in the form of schema markup. Schema markup, a rich snippet or enhanced description, is created once added to a webpage and then appears in search engines.

Any data do not support microdata's direct impact on organic search rankings.

Featured snippets do, however, increase the prominence of your website's pages in SERPs. There is evidence that the click-through rates will increase due to the increased visibility.

Less than one-third of Google's search results include a featured snippet with structured data and schema markup, finds a study by acmqueue. This opens up a huge opportunity with their featured snippet for the rest.

3. Website Architecture Elements

It's crucial to have a well-structured website for two reasons: first, it will be easier for search engine crawlers, and second, it will provide users with richer experiences.

Page URLs

Even while URLs' significance in SEO has decreased over time, they still affect how well your website is ranked by search engines. Although it is no longer necessary to stuff your URLs full of keywords, you can still do so to raise the visibility of your website in search results.

Some analysts claim that URLs may influence a site's first rating and that search engines utilize them to categorize pages. It is essential to make sure that your URLs are clear, short, and easy to read for both visitors and search engines.

It is ideal to add relevant keywords in a natural and meaningful approach when optimizing your URLs for SEO. Use short, simple URLs instead of long, complex ones that could confuse users and search engines. Use URLs that concisely and accurately describe the content of your website as an alternative.

In conclusion, even though they might not be as crucial to SEO now as they once were, URLs nevertheless have an impact on how well a website performs in general. As a result, it's crucial to optimize your URLs for both visitors and search engines by making sure they're brief, descriptive, and related to your content.

Internal Linking

Linking to other pages on your website is a crucial component of internal linking for SEO. Not only does it simplify user navigation, but it also aids search engines in deciphering the hierarchy and structure of your information.

A strong information architecture that directs readers across your website and highlights its most crucial sections can be established by building a network of internal links. Additionally, internal linking can distribute link equity throughout your website, which can help your overall search engine rankings.

It is recommended to use descriptive anchor text that appropriately represents the information on the page you are connecting to optimise your internal linking for SEO. This makes the linked page more relevant to particular search queries and aids search engines in understanding the context of the page.

Additionally, it's critical to make sure your internal linking strategy is logical and simple for visitors and search engines to understand. For instance, you can organise relevant sites together and offer a clear hierarchy of information using category pages or menus.

Outbound links (also known as external links) in SEO are links that connect to another domain's website, whereas backlinks (also known as inbound links) are links that point to your page from other websites. By linking to other reputable sites, you may demonstrate to search engines that you are offering valuable and relevant information to your users.

Backlinks, on the other hand, are regarded as one of the most essential aspects in determining a website's authority and can have a significant impact on its search engine ranks. When other websites link to your content, search engines recognise that your content is significant and relevant, and your website's visibility in search results may improve as a result.

In conclusion, internal linking is an essential component of SEO that can raise the structure, relevancy, and search engine ranks of your website. You may improve your website's user experience and make it simpler for search engines to crawl and index your material by building a network of internal links with illustrative anchor text and a logical hierarchy.

Mobile Responsiveness

Previously unthinkable in the desktop era, mobile gadgets now make up 60% of all internet usage worldwide.

Google used to give little consideration to a webpage's mobile device compatibility. Mobile compatibility was viewed as a desirable but not essential feature.

The rise of mobile search forced Google to reevaluate its assessment of mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor as smartphones and tablets became more widely used.

This resulted in a "mobilegeddon," an incident that showed that mobile search was no longer an afterthought.

According to many SEO experts, websites optimized for mobile screens outperform websites only suitable for desktops in search engine results.

This assertion is based on the fact that more searches are being done on mobile devices and the knowledge that Google wants to provide users with the best user experience possible when serving pages.

Serving results compatible with mobile and desktop can ensure the best user experience because most users conduct their searches on mobile devices (a practice known as responsive web design).

Users frequently ended up on pages not designed for smartphones or tablets before mobile became the leading way to search Google.

Nowadays, it is rare to perform a mobile search and end up on a page that needs to be more responsive for a smartphone.

Site Speed

In addition to frustrating and losing visitors, a clumsy, slow-loading website lowers your search ranking.

Site speed is a ranking factor in search results, according to research conducted by Search Engine Journal into the impact of SEO on page loading time.

The minimum speed your site must achieve, however, changes frequently.

It can be achieved by reaching the minimum requirement of Google's Core Web Vitals. There are several steps you can take if your website isn't already up to these standards, such as:

  • Compression is made possible.
  • Reducing the number of redirects.
  • Enhancing pictures.
  • Using the caches of the browser.

Just like audiences can have different search intent, search engines can also have their own in-depth on page SEO checklist to boost your website to the top of the first page.

Now that you're aware of on-page SEO (or on-site SEO), there are many SEO tools that you can utilize for your SEO services such as on-site SEO, local SEO, and technical SEO needs. Check out Khepri Digital! This digital marketing agency in Singapore is one of the best in the SEO industry and can help your site's pages get more search traffic, from the anchor text to more in-depth tasks.

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ABOUT THE WRITER
Thomas Tay
SEO Head at Khepri Digital’s Singapore branch. An SEO nerd by day, he is responsible for the research & development to assess the impact and changes in Google algorithms. His work powers the processes behind Khepri Digital’s SEO manual. When not looking at SEO experiments, he tends to be around the Northern Area of Singapore, chomping on Satay and Chicken wings.