If you want your small business website to rank higher in search results, attract more local customers, and grow your online presence, on-page SEO is where it all begins. On-page SEO refers to the steps you can take on your own website to help search engines understand your content and deliver it to the right audience.
According to Backlinko, the first result on Google gets more than 27% of all clicks. That means if your site isn’t ranking well, you're missing out on a huge number of potential customers. The good news? You can improve your chances of showing up in search results with a few practical updates.
Here’s a simple, effective on-page SEO checklist designed specifically for your business.
Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Your title tag is what people see as the clickable headline on search engine results pages (SERPs). It should be clear, relevant, and include your target keyword. Keep it under 60 characters so it doesn’t get cut off.
The meta description provides a short summary of the page content. It doesn’t directly impact rankings, but it does influence whether someone clicks on your link. Aim for around 150-160 characters, include your main keyword, and use language that encourages people to take action.
Use Keywords Strategically (But Naturally)
Start with keyword research to understand what your customers are searching for. Then, place those keywords strategically in:
Avoid keyword stuffing as this can negatively affect your rankings. Google wants helpful, natural-sounding content, not a wall of repeated phrases.
Create High-Quality, Relevant Content
Content is still king. Your website should answer your customers’ questions, solve their problems, or guide them toward a decision. Aim to:
Google rewards websites that provide real value. If your content is helpful, your rankings will reflect that over time.
Use Header Tags to Organize Your Content
Headers (H1, H2, H3, etc.) make your content easier to read—for both users and search engines. Your H1 tag should be the title of the page and include your main keyword. Use H2s and H3s to break down sections and make the content scannable. This structure improves readability and makes it easier for Google to understand what your page is about.
Optimize Images
Images can enhance user experience, but they need to be optimized properly. Compress image files to reduce load time, use descriptive file names (e.g., "dallas-web-design.jpg" instead of "IMG00234.jpg"), and add alt text with relevant keywords to improve accessibility and SEO.
Search engines can’t “see” images, but they can read alt text. This also helps your images show up in Google Image searches.
Improve Page Load Speed
Slow websites drive people away. A one-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by 7%. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website’s speed and make improvements where needed, such as minimizing file sizes, reducing unnecessary scripts or plugins, and using browser caching
Faster sites not only improve user experience but also rank better in search engines.
Make Sure Your Site Is Mobile-Friendly
More than half of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t easy to use on a phone or tablet, you’re losing potential customers. Use responsive design to ensure your website looks and functions well across all devices. Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search results.
Set Up Internal Linking
Link to other relevant pages within your own website. For example, if you’re writing a blog post about local SEO, you can link to your service page that explains your SEO offerings. Internal links help users find more information and allow search engines to better understand your site structure.
Use Clean, Keyword-Rich URLs
Short, descriptive URLs are easier for people and search engines to understand. Avoid long strings of numbers or unnecessary characters. For example:
Include your target keywords in the URL when possible, but keep it natural and readable.
Add Schema Markup (If Possible)
Schema markup is a type of code you can add to your site to help search engines understand your content better. It can also enable rich results like review stars, FAQs, and product details directly on the search page. While not required, it gives your listing more visibility and can increase click-through rates.
Improving your on-page SEO can lead to more visibility, more clicks, and more business. But it takes time, effort, and attention to detail. If you want expert help making your website faster, smarter, and more search-engine friendly, we’re here for you. Contact our web design agency in Dallas, TX today and let’s talk about how we can grow your business online.
