Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is an essential strategy for improving website visibility, and on-page SEO plays a crucial role in ensuring your content ranks well in search engines. This guide covers the latest on-page SEO best practices, backed by data and real-world examples, to help you enhance your website’s performance, credibility, and user experience.
1. Optimise Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Best Practices:
- Start with a compelling introduction that hooks the reader.
- Keep title tags between 50-60 characters to prevent truncation.
- Place primary keywords at the beginning of the title.
- Write concise meta descriptions within 150-160 characters.
- Use actionable language to encourage clicks (e.g., “Learn More,” “Discover Now”).
Example:
- Title: On-Page SEO Best Practices | Improve Your Rankings Today
- Meta Description: Discover expert-backed on-page SEO techniques to boost rankings, enhance user experience, and drive more traffic to your website.
2. Use Keyword Optimisation Effectively
Best Practices:
- Conduct Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify high-volume, low-competition keywords.
- Example: If you run an online shoe store in New Zealand, searching for “best running shoes NZ” might reveal related keywords like “top-rated running shoes 2024 NZ” or “best running shoes for flat feet NZ.”
- Naturally Incorporate Keywords: Use primary and secondary keywords in headings, subheadings, and body text.
- Use Semantic Keywords: Include related terms (LSI keywords) to improve content relevancy.
- Maintain Keyword Density: Aim for a natural density of ~1-2%.
đź’ˇUse tools like Surfer SEO to analyse keyword density and optimise content.
3. Structure Your Content for Readability
Best Practices:
- Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences each).
- Include descriptive headings (H1, H2, H3) to organise information.
- Utilise bullet points and numbered lists to break down complex ideas.
- Add a table of contents for long-form articles.
Example of Structured Content:
- H2: How to Optimise Title Tags
- H3: Choose the Right Keywords
- H3: Keep It Concise and Relevant
- H3: Add a Unique Value Proposition
đź’ˇUse tools like Hemingway Editor to improve readability.
4. Improve URL Structure
Best Practices:
- Keep URLs short and descriptive (e.g., yourwebsite.co.nz/on-page-seo-tips).
- Avoid stop words like “and,” “the,” or “of.”
- Use hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_).
- Include target keywords in URLs.
Example:
âś… Good URL: yourwebsite.co.nz/seo-best-practices
❌ Bad URL: yourwebsite.co.nz/index.php?id=123Â
5. Optimise Images for SEO
Best Practices:
- Compress Images: Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to reduce file size.
- Use Descriptive Filenames: Rename files with keywords (e.g., on-page-seo-checklist.jpg).
- Add Alt Text: Include relevant keywords in alt text to improve accessibility and rankings.
Implement Lazy Loading: Delay loading off-screen images to improve site speed.
đź’ˇUse Google PageSpeed Insightsto identify and fix image-related speed issues.
6. Enhance Internal Linking
Best Practices:
- Link to relevant pages within your content.
- Use descriptive anchor text (e.g., “best running shoes for flat feet NZ” instead of “click here”).
- Ensure important pages receive more internal links to boost rankings.
đź’ˇUse tools like Screaming Frog to audit and optimise internal linking.
7. Improve Page Speed and Mobile Friendliness
Best Practices:
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to analyse speed issues.
- Enable browser caching and compress CSS, JavaScript, and images.
- Implement a mobile-responsive design using flexible layouts.
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare for faster loading times.
đź’ˇAccording to a 2023 study by Portent, a one-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by up to 7%.
8. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content
Best Practices:
- Focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).
- Write original, well-researched content with credible sources.
- Keep content fresh by updating old posts with new data.
- Add videos, infographics, and interactive elements to improve engagement.
9. Implement Schema Markup for Rich Snippets
Best Practices:
Use JSON-LD structured data (recommended by Google).
Implement schema types like Article, FAQ, Breadcrumb, and Review.
Test schema markup using Google’s Rich Results Test.
Example: A local business in Auckland implementing the “LocalBusiness” schema markup can display business hours, location, and reviews directly in search results.
Common On-Page SEO Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Overloading content with keywords (keyword stuffing).
- Neglecting internal linking opportunities.
- Using duplicate title tags and meta descriptions.
- Ignoring mobile responsiveness.
Final Thoughts
On-page SEO is a continuous process that requires attention to detail and adherence to best practices. By optimising content structure, metadata, internal linking, images, and speed, you can significantly improve your website’s search visibility and user experience.
If you need professional assistance, PMGS Digital offers expert SEO services tailored to New Zealand businesses. Contact us today for a free SEO audit!Â
