What Is On-Page SEO?
Let’s say you have a website for your bakery. Your goal is to get more people to search for your bakery online, browse through your mouth-watering cakes, and visit your shop physically. But how do they find your website? On-page SEO is like designing an optimal window display for your store, one that will entice customers and get the attention of Google and other search engines.
On-page SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website so it appears on top of the search engine results pages (SERPs). So, let’s figure that out step by step.
1. Why Is On-Page SEO Important?
Most internet users tend to click the first 5 results displayed when they search for something. If your site is on page one, you stand to get a lot more internet traffic. More people will visit your website as it is more likely they'll look you up on Google first before moving on to the other competitors. On-page SEO makes achieving that goal much easier by allowing you to refine your content as well as your website's design.
2. Key Parts of On-Page SEO
1. Keywords
Keywords are the words people type into Google when searching. For example, if someone wants a chocolate cake, they might type “chocolate cake bakery near me.” Using the right keywords in your website content helps search engines understand what your page is about. But remember—don’t use too many keywords. Write naturally, like talking to a customer.
2. Title Tags
Your title tag is the name of your webpage. It’s the first thing people see in search results. Keep it short, and clear, and include your main keyword. Example: Order Fresh Chocolate Cakes | Sweet Delights Bakery.
3. Meta Descriptions
A meta description is a short summary that appears under your title tag in search results. It should be interesting and include your keyword. Example: Find freshly baked chocolate cakes at Sweet Delights Bakery. Perfect for birthdays, parties, and special occasions.
4. Headings (H1, H2, H3)
Headings help organize your content and make it easier to read. Use one H1 heading (your main title) and several H2 and H3 headings to break down your content. Example:
- H1: Chocolate Cakes for Every Occasion
- H2: Why Choose Our Bakery?
- H2: Our Chocolate Cake Menu
- H3: Classic Chocolate Cake
- H3: Double Chocolate Fudge Cake
5. Content Quality
Your content should be helpful, easy to read, and answer people’s questions. Use short sentences, simple words, and clear examples. Always aim to provide value to your readers.
6. Internal Links
Link to other pages on your website to help visitors find more information. Example: If you have a page about custom cakes, link to it with text like Learn more about our custom cake options.
7. External Links
Linking to other trusted websites can help search engines see your site as reliable. For example, if you mention the health benefits of dark chocolate, link to a reliable source like a health website.
8. Image SEO
Use clear, high-quality images. Give each image a name that describes it, like chocolate-cake-slice.jpg. Use alt text to describe the image for people who can’t see it. Example: A slice of freshly baked chocolate cake with rich frosting.
9. URL Structure
Your URL should be short, simple, and include your keyword. Example: www.sweetdelightsbakery.com/chocolate-cakes.
10. Mobile-Friendliness
Make sure your website looks good and works well on phones and tablets. A mobile-friendly site is easier to use, and search engines rank it higher.
11. Page Speed
People don’t like waiting for slow websites. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check and improve your site’s speed.
12. User Experience (UX)
Your website should be easy to use. Use clear menus, simple navigation, and clean design so visitors can quickly find what they need.
How to Optimize a Web Page Step-by-Step
- Choose Your Main Keyword: Search for a term that has decent search volume but isn’t too difficult to rank for. “best chocolate cake Kolkata” is a good example of one.
- Write a Clear Title Tag: Mention the keyword you’re targeting in the title and make it eye-catching.
- Add a Catchy Meta Description: Write a brief summary of your webpage ranging from 150 - 160 characters.
- Use Headings: Split content into H1, H2, H3, etc.
- Write High-Quality Content: Write in such a way that your readers’ questions are answered along with providing them with any extra information they might find useful.
- Add Links: Make interlinks to other webpages available on your own site, as well as to reputable sites.
- Optimize Images: Make sure all images are named appropriately and include relevant alt text.
- Simplify Your URL: Use only short and clean URLs, without any extra characters, with the main keyword included.
FAQs About On-Page SEO
1. What is the difference between on-page SEO and off-page SEO?
On-page SEO is about improving your website’s content and structure. Off-page SEO is about building links and getting mentions from other websites.
2. How often should I update my SEO?
SEO is an ongoing process. Update your content regularly and check your keywords every few months.
3. Can I do on-page SEO by myself?
Yes! With the right tools and knowledge, anyone can improve their website’s SEO.
4. How do I know if my SEO is working?
Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s traffic, keyword rankings, and search performance.
5. Why are keywords important for SEO?
Keywords help search engines understand what your page is about. Using the right keywords can help your website show up in search results.
