Your WordPress website can attract steady organic traffic if optimized properly. This WordPress SEO checklist is designed for small business owners who want to optimize their site without hiring an agency. Each section helps search engines understand your content, improve your visibility, and build a long-term SEO strategy.
Section 1: Setup & Configuration Essentials
1. Choose an SEO-Friendly Theme
Pick a lightweight, responsive theme. Your WordPress site should load fast on all mobile devices. Themes like Astra or GeneratePress are ideal for performance and on page optimization.
If your website theme isn’t performing well or you’re planning a redesign, our website design services can help you build a fast, SEO-optimized foundation from the start.
2. Install a Reliable WordPress SEO Plugin
Use a plugin such as Yoast SEO, Rank Math, or All in One SEO. These SEO plugins help optimize meta tags, generate XML sitemaps, manage schema markup, and handle redirects. The Yoast SEO plugin is beginner-friendly and guides you through key SEO steps right from the WordPress dashboard.
3. Enable HTTPS with Free SSL Certificates
Google prioritizes secure websites. Install a free SSL certificate using your hosting provider or Cloudflare. Migrate your entire WordPress website to HTTPS and update internal and external links to reflect the secure version.
4. Optimize Permalink Structure
Under Settings → Permalinks, select “Post name.” Keep URLs short, descriptive, and keyword-rich. Avoid numbers and unnecessary words to help search engines understand your content better.
5. Verify Site in Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools
These free tools are vital for search engine optimization. Submit your XML sitemap, monitor keyword rankings, and find broken links. Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools also track your site’s performance in search engine results pages.
Section 2: Technical SEO Checklist
Technical SEO ensures that search engine crawlers can efficiently navigate and index pages on your site.
6. Check Site Visibility Settings
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings → Reading. Make sure “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” is unchecked.
7. Create and Submit an XML Sitemap
Most WordPress SEO plugins automatically generate an XML sitemap. Submit it to both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. This helps search engines understand your site structure and discover new pages faster.
8. Fix Broken Links and Redirects
Use a free tool like Broken Link Checker or Ahrefs Webmaster Tools to find broken inbound links and broken outbound links. Fix broken links immediately and set up 301 redirects to the correct linked page.
9. Improve Site Speed and Core Web Vitals
Run a site speed test using PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Compress images, enable caching, and minimize scripts. Better page speed means higher engagement and better search engine rankings.
10. Optimize for Mobile Devices
Your WordPress website must be mobile responsive. Test your site using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure pages display correctly on all screen sizes.
11. Add Schema Markup
Structured data helps search engines understand what your content means. Add schema markup for products, services, articles, or FAQs. Plugins like Rank Math simplify this process.
12. Keep WordPress Updated
Always update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Outdated software can slow your website and affect technical SEO performance.
Section 3: On Page SEO Checklist
On page SEO optimization improves how individual web pages rank in search engine results.
13. Conduct Proper Keyword Research
Start with a keyword research tool like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner. Identify long tail keywords relevant to your business. Include your keyword naturally in titles, meta descriptions, and content. Create a keyword research checklist to track ideas and intent.
Related: Keyword Research Strategies: Simple How-To
14. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Write unique title tags under 60 characters and compelling meta descriptions under 160. Include target keywords at the beginning. A well-written meta description improves click-through rates from Google search results.
15. Use Heading Tags Strategically
Each page should have one H1 and several H2 or H3 tags. This improves content hierarchy and helps search engines understand your structure.
16. Write Relevant Content for Search Intent
Create blog posts that match what users are searching for. Align content with user search intent — informational, commercial, or transactional. This increases engagement and keyword rankings.
Related: SEO Copywriting: What is it?
17. Optimize Image Optimization Practices
Compress and resize images before uploading. Add descriptive alt text and filenames that include relevant keywords. This improves accessibility and page SEO.
18. Add Internal and External Links
Link to other pages on your site using descriptive anchor text. Include outbound links to trusted other websites in your niche. A balanced structure of internal and external links helps search engines crawl effectively.
19. Avoid Keyword Stuffing
Use your primary keyword naturally. Overusing it hurts readability and may lower your search rankings.
20. Implement On Page SEO Optimization
Every page should have optimized title tags, meta tags, schema markup, and internal links. Tools like Yoast SEO guide you through this on page SEO checklist directly within your WordPress dashboard.
Section 4: Content SEO Checklist
21. Publish Regular Blog Posts
Consistent posting signals freshness to search engines. Use keyword ideas from your keyword research tool and update older content to maintain authority.
22. Include Multimedia
Add videos, infographics, and charts. This keeps visitors engaged and improves time-on-page metrics that affect your search engine rankings.
23. Optimize for Voice Search
Write naturally and include question-based headings. Voice search queries often trigger featured snippets in search engine results pages.
24. Update Old Content
Refresh outdated information and replace broken outbound links. Re-optimize meta tags and images to improve your SEO efforts.
25. Add FAQs
Include an FAQ section using structured data markup. This helps your pages qualify for featured snippets and People Also Ask results in Google search.
Section 5: Off Page SEO & Authority Building
26. Build Quality Backlinks
Earn backlinks from relevant websites through partnerships, resource mentions, or guest posting. Avoid spammy directories and paid link schemes.
27. Promote Content on Social Media
Share your posts on platforms where your audience is active. Increased visibility brings referral traffic and signals credibility to search engines.
28. Monitor Backlink Health
Use free tools or SEO tools to monitor backlinks. Disavow toxic or irrelevant links through Google Search Console to maintain your site’s reputation.
29. Optimize for Local SEO
If you serve a local market, claim your business in Google Business Profile. Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) data consistent across other websites and directories.
Section 6: Analytics, Tracking & Maintenance
30. Install Google Analytics
Connect your WordPress website with Google Analytics to measure traffic, conversions, and user behavior. Use these insights to refine your SEO strategy.
31. Track Keyword Rankings
Monitor keyword performance using SEO tools or Google Search Console. Track keyword trends and adjust content to improve your search results visibility.
32. Audit Regularly
Perform quarterly audits to find broken links, slow pages, or technical errors. Use Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, or other SEO tools to evaluate your site’s performance.
33. Monitor Core Web Vitals
Regularly review your Core Web Vitals in Google Search Console. These metrics measure site speed, responsiveness, and stability — all key ranking factors.
34. Create a Backup Schedule
Back up your entire WordPress site weekly. Reliable backups protect you from data loss and downtime.
What You Should Do Next
You’ve now got a complete WordPress SEO checklist to help search engines understand your website and improve your search rankings. But if you’d rather spend your time running your business than worrying about SEO tools, technical SEO, and keyword research, our team at Southtown Web Design & Digital Marketing can help.
We specialize in creating SEO strategies that utilize WordPress websites that increase organic traffic, improve on page SEO, and boost your position in Google Search results. Whether you need a one-time technical audit, monthly SEO services, or full website optimization, we’ll help you optimize your site for long-term growth.
Here’s what to do next:
- Visit our SEO Services page to see how we can improve your WordPress site’s performance.
- Request a free website audit to find broken links, speed issues, and missed optimization opportunities.
- Contact Southtown Web Design & Digital Marketing directly to discuss your goals and get a personalized SEO plan.
Let’s turn your WordPress website into a high-performing, search-optimized platform that attracts customers and drives results.
FAQs
What is a WordPress SEO checklist?
It’s a structured list of tasks that help optimize your WordPress website for search engines and improve search engine rankings.
Do I need a plugin like Yoast SEO?
Yes, a WordPress SEO plugin simplifies meta tags, XML sitemaps, and schema markup.
How often should I check for broken links?
Run a scan monthly to find broken inbound links and fix broken links immediately.
What’s the best free tool for tracking performance?
Google Search Console and Google Analytics are the top free tools for measuring your SEO efforts.
How can I improve page optimization quickly?
Focus on title tags, meta descriptions, internal links, and site speed improvements.
