I know how frustrating it feels to keep publishing blog posts and still not see the traffic you expected. I have been there too.

One common reason is that the content is not properly optimized for search engines. Writing valuable articles is important, but if Google cannot understand and rank your posts, your readers will never find you. That is where an on-page SEO checklist helps.

But here is the thing: even if Google sees your content as optimized, if it is not readable for your audience, you will still struggle to rank.

Sounds complicated?

Don’t worry.

In this guide, I will walk you through the essentials of on-page SEO and share how I personally use this checklist step by step.

What is On-Page SEO?

On-page SEO is the process of optimizing your content and pages so they can rank higher in search engines like Google.

I think of it as making your content easier to find, easier to understand, and more useful for both readers and Google crawlers.

It is different from off-page SEO, which focuses on backlinks and promotion. On-page SEO is all about what you can directly control: your content, titles, descriptions, and links.

Why Title Tags Matter

The first item on your on-page SEO checklist is the title tag. This is the clickable headline that appears in search results.

A strong, keyword-rich title tag can improve both rankings and click-through rates.

As Ezoic stated, “they’re also the first impression a user has of your content and your brand.”

Best practices for title tags:

• Keep it under 60 characters
• Include your main keyword naturally
• Make it catchy enough to attract clicks

Example:

• Weak: SEO Tips for Beginners
• Strong: On-Page SEO Checklist: How to Optimize Your Content for Google

I used the strong example above as the actual title for this post.

Meta Descriptions: Writing for Clicks

The next step in this checklist is the meta description. While it does not directly affect rankings, it plays a huge role in whether someone clicks your link in search results.

Tips for writing meta descriptions:

• Keep it within 150–160 characters
• Use your keyword naturally
• Add a clear call-to-action

Example:

• Weak: This article is about SEO and how to do it
• Strong: Follow this on-page SEO checklist, optimize titles, meta descriptions, keywords, and links to rank higher on Google and get more traffic

I always try to write meta descriptions that both explain what the content is about and make readers curious enough to click.

Keyword Placement: Where to Put Keywords

Using keywords strategically is one of the most important parts of on-page SEO. Placement matters more than frequency.

When I was starting out, I made the mistake of adding my keyword everywhere. It ended up looking like spam, and my posts did not rank well. That is called keyword stuffing, and it hurts your SEO.

Now, I use keywords naturally and only where they make sense.

Key places to include keywords:

• Title tag
• URL slug (example: /on-page-seo-checklist)
• First 100 words of your content
• Headings (H2, H3) where relevant
• Image alt text
• Naturally throughout the content

I also use secondary keywords to keep the content natural and avoid overusing the main keyword.

Internal Linking: Connecting Your Pages

Internal links connect one page of your site to another. This improves both user experience and search engine crawling.

Why internal linking matters:

• Helps Google discover and index more pages
• Distributes authority across your site
• Keeps readers engaged with more content

Best practices:

• Use descriptive anchor text (example: learn more about keyword research instead of click here)
• Link only to relevant and helpful pages
• Do not overload a single article with too many links

Personally, I always add at least one external link as well, especially if I reference case studies or statistics. Google sees this as a sign that your content is credible and backed by sources.

Actionable On-Page SEO Checklist

Here is the step-by-step plan I follow whenever I publish a new blog post:

1. Create a catchy title tag (under 60 characters, include the keyword)
2. Write a meta description (150–160 characters, include keyword naturally)
3. Place the keyword in the title, first paragraph, headings, and URL
4. Add internal links to at least 2–3 related posts
5. Optimize images with descriptive filenames and alt text
6. Break up text with short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings
7. Add one or two external links to credible sources

I use this checklist every time, and it has worked well for me. In fact, I once helped a client improve their traffic by over 550% using this exact process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many keywords should I use per page?
I usually focus on one main keyword and a few related terms. Readability always comes first.

2. Do meta descriptions affect Google rankings?
Not directly, but they can improve click-through rates, which helps your overall SEO.

3. How many internal links are too many?
There is no strict number. I normally include 3–5 relevant links in each post.

4. Should I update old posts for on-page SEO?
Yes. Updating old posts with new titles, meta descriptions, and links has helped me bring more traffic to older content.

Conclusion

Optimizing blog posts does not have to be complicated. With this on-page SEO checklist, I make sure my content is both discoverable and valuable:

• I optimize titles and meta descriptions
• I place keywords strategically
• I strengthen my site with internal and external links
• I follow a repeatable checklist every time I publish

On-page SEO is not just about asking Google to rank your content. It is about making your posts clear, useful, and engaging for real people. When I apply this checklist consistently, my blog continues to grow.