Introduction: Why SEO is Crucial for Organic Traffic
You’ve poured your time and effort into writing a fantastic blog post. Now, how do you make sure the right people actually find it? The answer is Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
SEO is the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic (non-paid) search engine results. Using this checklist on every single WordPress post you write will help Google recognize, rank, and send valuable readers your way.
Phase 1: Keyword Research and Intent
The journey starts before you write the first word.
- Identify Your Primary Keyword: What is the main term people are searching for (e.g., “easy dinner recipes”)?
- Check Search Intent: Look at the current top results for that keyword. Are they guides, lists, or product pages? Your content must match the user’s intent to rank well.
- Find Secondary Keywords: Find related terms (long-tail keywords) that support your main keyword (e.g., “30-minute weeknight meals,” “simple family dinners”).
Phase 2: On-Page Optimization (The Technical Stuff)
These are the elements Google directly looks at to understand your page.
- Optimize Your Title Tag:
- Include the Primary Keyword as close to the beginning as possible.
- Keep it under 60 characters to avoid truncation in search results.
- Make it emotionally compelling (e.g., “Ultimate,” “Complete,” “Simple”).
- Clean Up the URL Slug:
- Use the Primary Keyword only.
- Keep it short and readable (e.g.,
/emergency-fund-guide). - Remove stop words (a, the, and).
- Optimize Your Meta Description:
- Write a compelling, two-sentence summary (around 150 characters).
- Include the Primary Keyword and a Call to Action (e.g., “Read our guide,” “Find out how”).
- Use Header Tags (H1, H2, H3):
- Your Post Title should be the only H1.
- Use H2s for your main sections (like the phases in this post).
- Use H3s for subsections within an H2 (like the bullet points here).
- Include your keywords naturally in H2/H3 tags.
Phase 3: Content Structure and Readability
Content must be high-quality for readers and machines.
- Keyword Placement: Include your Primary Keyword in the first 100 words of your introduction.
- Content Depth: Aim for a word count that competes with or exceeds the word count of the current top-ranking pages.
- Readability: Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and numbered lists. Google loves content that is easy for users to skim.
- Image Optimization:
- Compress images before uploading to improve page speed.
- Use descriptive filenames (e.g.,
seo-checklist-wordpress.jpg). - Fill out the Alt Text field with a description that includes your keyword, where appropriate.
- Linking Strategy:
- Internal Links: Link to at least 3-5 other relevant posts on your own blog.
- External Links: Link to 1-3 high-authority external sources (like studies or industry leaders) to back up your claims.
Phase 4: Post-Publishing Essentials
Your work isn’t done just because the post is live!
- Submit to Search Console: Request indexing for the new URL in Google Search Console so Google crawls it faster.
- Promote on Social Media: Share the post across your active platforms.
- Build Backlinks (Long Term): Share the post with relevant sites or newsletters in your niche and look for opportunities to get others to link to your great content.
Conclusion: Consistency is Key
SEO isn’t a one-time fix; it’s a process. By consistently applying this checklist to every new post, you are setting your WordPress blog up for long-term organic growth. Start with the basics—keyword research and title optimization—and watch your traffic climb!