SEO Blog Post Checklist to rank in Google

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Introduction

An SEO blog post checklist is essential when trying to rank for Google. You must optimize your post to start ranking higher in Google.

This checklist helps beginner bloggers who have no idea how to do Search Engine Optimization.

SEO can be very overwhelming. A good strategy is paramount when it comes to including it in your content creation system.

This is the SEO blog post checklist I use when writing a blog post.

1) Choose your keyword

Keywords are essential when it comes to ranking on google. Your keyword, also known as your primary keyword, is your main keyword. It can be challenging (depending on your keyword) to rank for that particular word.

Try to find words that aren’t that difficult to rank for in google. If you can’t, long-tail keywords will help.

2) Pick your long-tail keywords

Long-tail keywords are sentences of (4- 5 words) essential words that will help you rank quicker than your primary keyword.

Include your primary key within your long-tail keyword.

3) Setup Google Analytics and Google search console

Set up your Google analytics and your google search console. It is one of the first and most important things that you should install when you start your wordpress.org blog.

Google Analytics provides data that are related to your audience and how they interact with your website.

Google search console is search – engine focused. It helps you maintain your site’s presence in google search results.

4) Install the Yoast SEO plugin

Installing the Yoast SEO plugin should be the first plugin you install after installing WordPress. It helps you out so much when you don’t know anything about SEO. Yoast is your introduction to search engine optimization.

5) URL structure

Your URL is important. Google needs to know what your page is about. Keep your URL short and sweet, Include targeted keywords. Make it relevant. Use hyphens. Customize your URLs for the best results to improve SEO.

6) Use headings

You might be wondering why headings are essential in this SEO blog post checklist? People nowadays skim when reading.

Using headings make it easier for your audience to read your post. It increases the user experience, which is what Google is all about.

Then, it rewards you by increasing your ranking. H1 tag, your main heading, is the main heading (20-70) after your title tag.

7) Title tag optimization

Your title tag is the main description of your post. It is the most crucial part of your blog post. Optimize it with keywords while explaining what your blog post will be about. It’s what readers see first, so make it enticing enough to be clicked on.

8) Meta description

Your meta description is a summary of what your post is about, so give a clear understanding. Include all the relevant keywords that you are trying to rank for in a concise 150 to 160 characters. Make it epic.

9) Add Alt Image text

Your entire post needs to be optimized. That includes your images. Use a long-tail keyword in your pictures.

10) External and Internal linking

External linking is linking to other websites. By doing that, you generate backlinks. That tells Google you are an authoritative website, and it needs to rank you higher up in google.

Internal linking is linking to other relevant posts within your website. It also helps with your rankings and authoritative figure in your niche.

11) Fix broken links

Make sure you don’t have any broken links Google penalizes you and it affects your SEO ranking. Check your links to make sure they are working correctly. If they aren’t, fix them.

12) Improve your site speed

Fast speed equals a fast user experience. When the user is happy, Google is satisfied, and you are rewarded accordingly.

Slow speed makes no-one happy. Everybody suffers. So make sure your pace is fast because people don’t like to wait around. They will click out of your website and go to another faster website.

More SEO checklist tips https://neilpatel.com/blog/seo-essentials/

13) Have a mobile-friendly website

People are on their phones most of the time. They read where they are, from their phones. Make it mobile-friendly. People want convenience.

Make it convenient for them to read your blog post. People are honoring you by gracing you with their presence. Make it worthwhile for your audience. They can go anywhere else but choose your website.

Make it easier for yourself and them to have an excellent mobile experience on your website and to keep coming back for more.

Related: 11 Beginner-Friendly SEO Tips

Conclusion

Your SEO blog post checklist does not have to be rocket science. It can be as straightforward or as complicated as you want to make it.

Choose your keyword and your long-tail keywords. Try to pick words that aren’t as difficult to rank for on google.
Set up your Google Analytics, Google search console, and install the yeast plugin.
Use a short URL and use short paragraphs (with pictures) to break up your text.
Use Headings (H1Tag). It’s the main heading after your title tag.
Your title tag is the name of your post. Make it epic because it will depend on whether or not someone clicks on it.
Metadata is a summary of what your post is about
Add images in your alt text and include internal and external links.
Fix broken links, make sure your blog is fast and that your audience can view it on mobile and desktop.

Haven’t started a blog yet? Check out my how to start a blog

SEO Blog Post Checklist