In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve with an effective SEO strategy is imperative for the success of your website. As we approach 2024, search engine optimization (SEO) continues to be a dynamic and ever-evolving field. To help you navigate the SEO landscape in the coming year, we’ve compiled an in-depth checklist with actionable insights, real-world examples, and explanations that anyone, regardless of technical expertise, can implement.
The Ultimate SEO Checklist for 2024
Below we have shared the ultimate SEO checklist with more than 30 points to consider before making a website live or while doing any SEO audit. Working on these points can help you improve your website’s SEO in 2024.
1. Page-speed Insight
Google’s Page-speed Insights tool is like a speedometer for your website. It shows you how fast your site loads, and this matters a lot to both users and search engines. Aim for a score of 90 or higher, both for mobile and desktop versions.
Example: Let’s say your website takes 10 seconds to load, but after making these improvements, it loads in just 3 seconds. This can make a big difference in user satisfaction and possibly boost your website’s position on Google.
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Moderate
2. Mobile-Friendly Test
With more people using smartphones, your website needs to be a good fit for smaller screens. Think of it as tailoring a suit – you want it to look and fit well on all body types. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check how well your website adapts to mobile devices.
Example: Your website may look fantastic on a computer, but if it’s hard to use on a phone, potential visitors might leave frustrated. Being mobile-friendly ensures they have a smooth experience.
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Low
3. Duplicate Content
Duplicate content is like having identical twins on your website, and search engines don’t like confusion. Regularly check if your content appears in more than one place. If you find duplicates, consider rewriting them to be unique, just like giving each twin their own distinct personality. Alternatively, use canonical tags to tell search engines which version is the “original.”
Example: Imagine you have the same product description on two different pages of your online store. Search engines may get confused about which page to show in search results. By using canonical tags, you clarify the situation.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Moderate
4. Redirects and Chains
Think of website redirects as signposts. They help users find their way when a page has moved or changed. However, too many redirects or chains of redirects can be like sending someone on a wild goose chase. Regularly check for these redirects, especially using tools like Screaming Frog.
Example: If someone clicks on an old link to a product page that no longer exists, a proper redirect can automatically take them to the new product page instead of a dead end.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
5. Sitemap Availability
Think of an XML sitemap like a table of contents in a book – it guides search engines to all the important pages on your website. Once you’ve created this “table of contents,” submit it to Google Search Console. It’s like giving search engines a roadmap to explore your website efficiently.
Example: If your website is like a library, the sitemap is your index. When a librarian knows where all the books are, it’s easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
6. Robots.txt Availability
Your website’s “robots.txt” file is like a signpost for search engine bots, telling them which pages to crawl and which to avoid. Make sure it’s correctly configured to guide search engine crawlers and prevent indexing of sensitive or duplicate content.
Example: Imagine a tour guide showing visitors the highlights of a museum while avoiding the restricted areas. A well-structured robots.txt file serves a similar purpose for search engines.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
7. Content Quality & Depth (Word Count)
High-quality content is the heart of SEO. It’s like creating a delicious and substantial meal for your visitors. Aim for comprehensive, informative articles with sufficient word count to thoroughly cover topics.
Example: Instead of serving a small appetizer, offer a full-course meal with rich details, examples, and valuable insights.
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Moderate
8. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
An SSL certificate is like a padlock for your website, ensuring secure connections. Google prefers secure websites, so install an SSL certificate. This helps build trust with users and can positively impact your rankings.
Example: When you see a padlock symbol in your web browser’s address bar, it means the website is secure and your data is encrypted during transmission.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
9. Meta Descriptions
Think of meta descriptions as movie trailers for your web pages. Craft engaging and concise descriptions that encourage users to click through to your content. Ensure they accurately summarize what the page is about.
Example: Just as a movie trailer gives you a taste of the film’s plot, a well-written meta description provides a sneak peek into your content.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
10. 404 Error
A 404 error is like a roadblock on your website’s journey and one of the most common factor in any SEO checklist. Customize your error pages to provide helpful information and navigation options. This ensures users don’t get lost and can easily find their way back to relevant content.
Example: Instead of a “dead end,” a custom 404 error page is like a signpost redirecting lost travelers back to the main road.
SEO Impact: Low to Moderate
Skill Required: Low
11. Broken Links
Broken links are like dead ends on your website’s map. Regularly check for broken links using tools like Screaming Frog or online link checkers. Fix them promptly to ensure a smooth user experience and prevent SEO issues.
Example: Imagine you’re following a treasure map, and suddenly, the trail disappears. Broken links are like those missing clues; they disrupt the user’s journey.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
12. Structured Data
Structured data, or schema markup, is like adding labels to your content to help search engines understand it better. Implement structured data to provide more context to your content, potentially leading to rich snippets in search results.
Example: Structured data is like adding tags to your luggage at the airport. It helps the search engine “handlers” know exactly what’s inside.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Moderate
13. Page Titles
Page titles are like book covers – they need to be attractive and informative. Craft descriptive and concise page titles that accurately represent the content on each page. This is often the first thing users see in search results. That makes it as one of the most important aspect of an SEO checklist for 2024.
Example: When you browse books in a library, the title on the spine gives you a quick idea of what the book is about. Page titles serve a similar purpose.
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Low
14. Heading Tags
Heading tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) are like chapter titles in a book. Use them to structure your content logically. Make sure headings are informative, relevant, and follow a hierarchy.
Example: Just as chapters organize a book, heading tags organize your content. They help readers (and search engines) navigate and understand your content better.
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Low
15. Images (Size & Alt Tags)
Image optimization is like choosing the right ingredients for a recipe. Optimize images for size and load speed. Always include descriptive alt text to improve accessibility and SEO.
Example: Imagine you’re cooking a meal. Using the freshest and best-quality ingredients (like optimizing images) enhances the final dish (your website) for everyone.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
16. Canonical Tags
Canonical tags are like choosing the main version of a story when you have multiple variations. Implement canonical tags to indicate the preferred version of a page when duplicate content exists. This helps search engines understand which version to prioritize.
Example: In a library, if you have two identical books with different covers, a label on one can indicate it’s the primary version. Canonical tags do something similar for web pages.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Moderate
17. URL Structure
URL structure is like a roadmap to a specific location on your website. Keep URLs concise, descriptive, and user-friendly. Avoid lengthy, cryptic URLs to enhance user experience and make it easier for search engines to understand your content.
Example: Think of a well-structured URL as clear road signs that guide users and search engines to their destination with ease.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
18. Copyright Year
Updating the copyright year in your website’s footer is like keeping your store’s sign up-to-date. It shows visitors that your content is current and maintained. It’s a small detail, but it can impact user trust.
Example: Imagine visiting a shop with a dusty, outdated sign. It might make you question if the store is still open for business. An updated copyright year provides reassurance.
SEO Impact: Low
Skill Required: Low
19. Unnecessary Indexing
Prevent search engines from indexing irrelevant or duplicate pages using robots meta tags or directives. This ensures that only important and valuable content is included in search results.
Example: It’s like cleaning your house before a guest arrives; you don’t want them to see clutter. Similarly, you don’t want search engines to index pages that don’t add value.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Moderate
20. Backlink Profile
This is one of the most important point of this SEO checklist in 2024. Regularly audit your backlinks to identify low-quality or toxic links. Disavow these links to maintain a healthy backlink profile. Focus on building high-quality, relevant backlinks through guest posting, partnerships, or other legitimate methods.
Example: Think of your backlink profile as a garden. You want to remove the weeds (toxic links) and nurture the healthy plants (high-quality links).
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Moderate
21. Favicon Availability
Including a favicon is like adding your logo to a business card. It enhances your website’s visual identity and brand recognition. It’s a small but impactful detail that makes your site more memorable.
Example: When you see a tiny logo or symbol next to a website’s name in your browser tab, that’s the favicon. It helps users quickly identify your site.
SEO Impact: Low
Skill Required: Low
22. Trailing Slash Check
Choose a consistent URL structure with or without trailing slashes. Make sure to redirect URLs accordingly. This maintains a clean and consistent website structure, enhancing user experience and search engine understanding.
Example: It’s like deciding whether to use or omit the slash at the end of a URL. Consistency ensures users and search engines aren’t confused.
SEO Impact: Low
Skill Required: Low
23. Privacy, Terms, and Disclaimer Availability
Include privacy policies, terms of service, and disclaimers on your website. This builds trust with users and ensures legal compliance.
Example: It’s like having the necessary legal documents in place for your business. It’s not just about trust; it’s also about following the rules.
SEO Impact: Low
Skill Required: Low
24. Social Network Check
Integrate social sharing buttons and profiles into your website. This encourages content sharing and enables users to connect with your brand on social media platforms.
Example: It’s like placing a suggestion box in a store where customers can provide feedback. On your website, social buttons facilitate interaction and sharing.
SEO Impact: Low
Skill Required: Low
25. Ranking Keywords
Regularly track the keywords your website ranks for using tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs. Focus on optimizing your content for high-value keywords to improve your search engine rankings.
Example: It’s like monitoring which products are most popular in your store and making sure they’re displayed prominently.
SEO Impact: High
Skill Required: Moderate
26. Google Search Console Audit
Conduct regular audits of your website using Google Search Console. Review data on search performance, indexation issues, and mobile usability to identify areas for improvement.
Example: Think of Google Search Console as a dashboard for your website’s performance. Analyzing the data is like checking your car’s dashboard for signs of trouble.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Moderate
27. Indexation Status
Monitor your website’s indexation status to ensure search engines are correctly crawling and indexing your pages. Identify and address any issues that may prevent important pages from being indexed.
Example: It’s like making sure all the books in a library are cataloged and can be found by visitors. In this case, search engines are the librarians.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Moderate
28. Server Uptime
Use website monitoring tools to ensure that your website is consistently up and running. Frequent downtime can negatively impact SEO and user experience.
Example: Think of your website’s server as the heart that keeps your site alive. Ensuring it’s always beating is vital for your website’s health.
SEO Impact: Moderate
Skill Required: Low
29. Pagination Tags
Implement proper pagination tags, such as rel=”next” and rel=”prev,” for paginated content. This helps search engines understand the page sequence and prevents duplicate content issues.
Example: It’s like providing a clear index in a book when it has multiple pages for a single chapter. Pagination tags make it easier for search engines to navigate.
SEO Impact: Low to Moderate
Skill Required: Low
30. Breadcrumbs
Incorporate breadcrumb navigation to improve user experience. Breadcrumbs provide clear navigation paths within your website, making it easier for users to explore and understand the site structure.
Example: Breadcrumbs are like the “You are here” signs in a shopping mall. They help users understand where they are and how to get to other places.
SEO Impact: Low to Moderate
Skill Required: Low
31. Site Depth Check
Evaluate your website’s site depth. Ensure that important content is easily accessible within a few clicks from the homepage. Shallow site depth simplifies navigation and enhances user experience.
Example: Think of your website as a library. You want users to find the most important books (content) quickly, without wandering through a labyrinth.
SEO Impact: Low to Moderate
Skill Required: Low
32. Key Content Location
Place key content and calls to action in prominent locations on your website. This enhances user engagement and increases the likelihood of achieving your website’s goals, whether it’s making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Example: Imagine a store putting its best-selling products right at the entrance where everyone can see them. Key content location works similarly to attract user attention.
SEO Impact: Low to Moderate
Skill Required: Low
The 2024 SEO checklist provides a roadmap to success, with each element offering actionable insights for improving your website’s visibility, user experience, and search engine rankings. By diligently addressing technical, on-page, off-page, and user experience aspects, you not only cater to search engine algorithms but also enhance the experience of your valuable audience. Remember that SEO is an ongoing journey, and adapting to evolving trends is key to maintaining and boosting your online presence. With this checklist as your guide, you’re equipped to navigate the ever-changing SEO terrain and ensure your website thrives in the year 2024 and beyond.
