On-Page SEO: The Beginner’s Handbook to On-Page SEO Basics

What is on-page SEO?

On-page SEO is optimizing on-site elements for search engine optimization to improve a URL’s visibility in organic search results. Common on-page SEO optimization examples include producing content, writing title tags, and creating internal links.

Why is on-page SEO important?

On-page SEO is important for a few reasons, including the following:

• Search engines: The algorithms behind search engines like Google and Bing use on-site elements, like title tags, meta descriptions, and content, to understand content on the Internet and organize it in search results.
• Users: Website visitors also use on-page elements to understand content plus interact with it. Users reference title tags, meta descriptions, and content like search engines to understand and engage with your site.

Learning how to do on-page SEO and optimizing your site for it helps you:

1. Improve your rankings in search results
2. Increase your organic traffic
3. Build your relationship with your target audience

If you operate a business, the above benefits can also help you earn more leads and sales from your site.

How to do on-page SEO

You’ve learned about on-page SEO’s definition, plus its importance. Now, you’re ready to learn how to do on-page SEO for your website! Keep reading for a beginner’s walkthrough with tips from our SEO checklist, plus resources for learning even more about these on-page optimizations so you can perform DIY SEO.

Domain name

Definition: A domain name is your unique address on the Internet, like https://www.example.com, and displays in the search results.

Importance in on-page SEO: Domain names can influence your site’s authority and trustworthiness. A domain name’s history can also benefit SEO as older domains may have more external backlinks — and more authoritative ones — than brand-new ones, which serves as a trust signal to search engines.

How to optimize

Learn how to optimize for this on-site SEO element below:

1. Use a trusted top-level domain: Users trust certain top-level domains more than others, like .com. That’s why it’s worth investing in a reputable top-level domain vs. a cheaper, less reputable one.
2. Choose a branded domain: Go for a domain that captures your brand vs. a domain that targets your ultimate desired keyword, like “online algebra courses.” Keyword-rich domain names can be spammy to users, decreasing user trust and click-through rate.
3. Review a domain’s history: If purchasing a previously owned domain name, investigate its history. You want to buy a reputable domain vs. a domain used for black-hat SEO practices, like link farms. Use a domain lookup tool and blacklist check tool.

For more guidance on domain names and this type of SEO, read our guide on choosing a domain name for SEO.

URLs

Definition: A URL is a page’s unique address on the Internet, like https://www.example.com/courses/algebra-101, and displays in the search results. A URL contains five components:

1. Protocol: https://
2. Domain name: example
3. Top-level domain: .com
4. Subfolder: courses
5. Slug: algebra-101

Importance in on-page SEO: A URL provides search engines and users with context about a page and its purpose. You can avoid URL problems that cause your site to lose out on higher rankings by optimizing your URLs. On-page optimizations for URLs will include building a site structure and using the targeted keyword in the URL’s slug.

How to optimize

Learn how to optimize for this on-site SEO element below:

1. Build a logical site architecture: Your website’s architecture is like a map, creating your site’s neighborhoods (folders) and streets (pages). Consider your site’s long-term vision when establishing your site architecture.
2. Add the target keyword: Optimize your URLs by including a page’s target keyword in the slug. For example, if you’re targeting “advanced algebra,” consider “advanced-algebra” as the slug. The full URL might look like this: https://www.example.com/algebra/advanced-algebra.
3. Use hyphens: Since Google recommends using hyphens vs. underscores in URLs, follow this best practice. Use hyphens to separate words, like “advanced-algebra,” and make your URLs easier for search engines like Google to read.

For more tips, check out our guide on how to create SEO-friendly URLs.

Keyword research

Definition: A keyword is a word or phrase (called a search query) people use to search online. Keyword research is the process of finding relevant search queries based on your target audience and site goals, like “online beginner algebra courses” for a site focused on teaching users algebra online.

Importance in on-page SEO: Keywords help search engines understand a page and its purpose, which is critical when generating relevant search results. Users also reference keywords when gauging a page’s relevancy to their initial search query. With keyword research, you can target the most relevant, valuable queries.

How to optimize

Get started with this on-page optimization with the following steps:

1. Outline target audience: Who is your website trying to reach? List your audience and their features, like location, age, job title, etc. Consider outlining their pain points, too, so you can surface the most relevant keyword topics.
2. Brainstorm topic ideas: Compile topic ideas based on what you know about your target audience. If you’re unsure, browse online forums like Reddit or Quora, speak with client-facing departments like sales or customer support, or use blog topic idea tools.
3. Compile keyword metrics: Next, use keyword research tools like Keywords Everywhere, Ahrefs, and Semrush, to determine the search volume and competitiveness for these topic ideas. A higher search volume and lower search competitiveness is typically the preferred ratio.
4. Determine search intent: Investigate the top-ranking pages for your topic ideas to understand the search intent. What are people looking to solve? And is that problem relevant to your website’s purpose and target audience? If it isn’t, axe that topic idea.
5. Select keywords: Following your research, you can select which topic ideas to target as keywords. Once you do, research three to five related keywords for each topic using a tool like Keywords Everywhere, Ahrefs, or Semrush.

Learn more about mastering this on-page SEO technique in our keyword research guide.

Title tags

Definition: A title tag is an HTML element for specifying the title of a page, like <title>Algebra Basics for Beginners</title>, and it displays in search results.

Importance in on-page SEO: Search engines and people use title tags to understand a page and its purpose. That’s why title tags often contain a page’s target or main keyword since it signals to users and search engines that this page is about XYZ topic.

How to optimize

Learn how to optimize for this on-page optimization below:

1. Audit the search results: Explore the first page of search results for your target keyword. Look at the similarities between the title tags, like their format, word choice, tone, and length. You can decide on the best format and tone to use from these similarities.
2. Brainstorm ideas: Spend 10-15 minutes (or more) generating different title tag ideas. Brainstorming at least 15 title tags will help you surface creative and original ideas. Remember to include your target keyword and limit your title tag to 60 characters or less.
3. Choose a title tag: Once you’ve brainstormed some options, you can pick a title tag! Again, review the search results — you want a title tag that aligns with the ranking pages but is also unique — and confirm your title tag uses your target keyword and is 60 characters or less.

Get more title tag tips and tricks in our guide to title tags. Is Google ignoring your title tag or rewriting it? Try checking your character limit or optimize to better match search intent.

Meta descriptions

Definition: A meta description is an HTML element for specifying the description of a page like <meta name=”description” content=”Learn how to do algebra as a beginner!”>, and displays in the search results beneath the title tag.

Importance in on-page SEO: Like title tags, meta descriptions provide search engines and Internet users context about a page. That’s why meta descriptions will include the page’s target keyword plus summarize the page’s purpose, like educating readers on how to do algebra if they’re a beginner.

How to optimize

Learn how to write optimized meta descriptions for on-site SEO below:

1. Review the search results: Analyze the meta descriptions in your target keyword’s search results. Often, meta descriptions will summarize or answer the search intent, and search engines usually rewrite meta descriptions to make this happen.
2. Brainstorm meta descriptions: Start writing some meta descriptions for your target keyword. Use your target keyword and keep your meta description to 150 characters or less. Remember to align your meta description with the search results — otherwise, it’ll get rewritten.
3. Choose a meta description: Finally, review your drafted meta descriptions and choose one. Before adding your meta description, proof it one last time to confirm it follows on-site SEO best practices for meta descriptions, like using the target keyword.

For more advice on how to create SEO-friendly meta descriptions, explore our meta description guide.

Content

Definition: Content describes the written and visual content on a web page.

Importance in on-page SEO: Content is one of the most critical on-page optimizations because it’s your answer to a user’s search query. That’s why content often includes your targeted keywords and a user-focused page structure.

How to optimize

Learn how to approach this on-page optimization below:

1. Outline the search intent: Great SEO content starts with understanding the search intent behind the targeted keyword. Review the top-ranking URLs for your target keyword and use their content’s structure as inspiration for yours while also looking for new ways to help users.
2. Write the content: Next, write the content. Follow best practices like incorporating your target keyword in the header tags (H1s, H2s, H3s, and so on), focusing on the user needs with helpful and trustworthy advice, and prioritizing readability with concise paragraphs, lists, and headings.
3. Enhance the content: Consider bringing multimedia, from videos to images to quizzes, to your content to improve its helpfulness. Multimedia elements (like callouts for an algebra formula) can also make your content easier for users to read and skim.
4. Check for grammar errors: Does grammar matter in content marketing? Yes! Correct grammar sends valuable trust signals to your audience. Be sure to edit your content and correct and grammar mistakes before publishing.
5. Publish the content: Finally, publish your content — as a note, you should edit and proof your content before this step. As you post your content, remember to upload your title tag and meta description, and preview how your content will look on your site.

Keyword insertion

Definition: Keyword insertion is the prominence, frequency, and density of keywords in content.

Importance in on-page SEO: Keyword insertion demonstrates your content’s relevancy to search engines and users for specific search queries. Optimal keyword insertion is critical as too much (called keyword stuffing) can hurt your on-site SEO.

How to optimize

Learn how to get started with this on-page SEO optimization below:

1. Optimize headings: Content headings, like H1s, H2s, H3s, and so on, should use your target or related keywords — your H1 should use your target vs. a related keyword. Review your headings for readability to ensure they provide an optimal user experience.
2. Target introductions: Use your target keyword within your first 100 words. This best practice for on-site SEO reinforces to users and search engines that your content is about that target keyword. Again, ensure your keyword insertion doesn’t affect your content readability.
3. Include related keywords: Throughout your content, include your related keywords, like “basic algebra.” Related keywords can appear in headings, paragraphs, and other text elements like ordered and unordered lists.
4. Remove keyword stuffing: Over-optimizing keyword insertion creates keyword stuffing, which impacts your content’s readability and user experience. Proof your content to spot keyword stuffing and remove those instances to deliver helpful and user-focused content.

Internal links

Definition: Internal links are hyperlinks from one page on your site to another page on your site.

Importance in on-page SEO: Internal links help search engines crawl and index your website, which is the first step in appearing in search results. Plus, they provide search engines with context about a page. Besides search engines, users also rely on internal links to traverse your site.

How to optimize

Learn the basics of on-page SEO for internal linking below:

1. Optimize navigation and footer links: From both a user and search perspective, your most important pages should reside in your navigation and/or footer. This placement gives a page a link from every other page on your site, which can improve its search performance.
2. Add in-text links: Content-based links, or links within your content, are also important for internal linking. Compile three to five referring pages (make sure they’re relevant) for each URL and add an internal link.
3. Use optimized anchor text: With optimized anchor text, you accurately describe where users (and search engines) will go when visiting the linked page. Typically, this text will include the linked-to URL’s target keyword, like “algebra basics,” but this can vary.

For more information on how to do on-site SEO for internal links, browse our internal linking guide!

Images

Definition: Images are multimedia files that appear in your content.

Importance in on-page SEO: Images enhance the user experience by providing visuals for explaining concepts and improving readability. With a better user experience, people are more likely to stay on your site instead of returning to the search results, which sends a positive signal to search engines.

How to optimize

Learn how to do on-page SEO for images below:

1. Use original images: While you can use stock images for your content, original images (like a screenshot or graphic) can emphasize your content’s originality and usefulness. Compile these images and give them descriptive filenames.
2. Write alt text: Help search engines and users “see” an image without actually seeing it with alt text. Alt text describes your images in a few words, like “person writing algebra formula” or “algebraic equation.”
3. Compress images: Support another on-page optimization — page speed — by compressing your images. While there are paid solutions, you can use free tools like Squoosh and TinyPNG to get the same result.

UX

Definition: User experience (UX) describes your site’s usability.

Importance in on-page SEO: UX elements, from mobile responsiveness to page design, encourage users to stay on your website vs. returning to the search results. This behavior sends a positive signal to search engines about your on-page SEO.

How to optimize

Learn how to get started with this on-page SEO technique below:

1. Optimize for multiple devices: Verify your site displays correctly on devices like desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Besides displaying well, you’ll also want to confirm it’s easy to use your site by clicking buttons, scrolling pages, and more.
2. Improve content design: Use visitor recordings, plus readability best practices, to build a better design for your content. For example, is the contrast between your background and font color poor? Or is your table of contents difficult to use?
3. Use HTTPS: Optimize for a confirmed ranking factor by using HTTPS vs. HTTP for your site. Purchase an SSL certificate and follow Google’s documentation on converting your site from HTTP to HTTPS.

Get more tips on mastering this on-page optimization with our guide on optimizing UX for SEO.

Page speed

Definition: Page speed describes how fast your site becomes accessible to users.

Importance in on-page SEO: A fast-loading, quick-to-respond site creates a better user experience that encourages users to stay on and engage with your site. Page speed is also a confirmed ranking factor. Google, for example, established and uses Core Web Vitals.

How to optimize

Get started with this critical piece of on-site SEO below:

1. Compress images: Build an ongoing process for compressing your site images. If you use a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, you can install a reputable image compression plugin to automate this step.
2. Minify code: Work with a web developer to minify your code, like your JavaScript, CSS, or HTML. There are free online tools that can get you started, but we recommend collaborating with your web development team to preserve your site’s functionality.
3. Optimize code: Web developers can also optimize existing code by eliminating unnecessary code or streamlining existing setups. Again, you’ll want to work with your web developers on this on-page optimization vs. trying to do it yourself.

Master on-page SEO basics with SEO.com

Congrats! You’ve learned on-page SEO, one of the SEO basics that will help you optimize your site. If you’re looking to grow your knowledge even more, consider taking some of the best SEO courses!

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