How to improve your website’s pages for better Google results is a challenge that many Australian businesses face, especially as more people use search engines to find products and services. If your web pages aren’t showing up where you want them to in Google search results, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are clear, practical steps you can take to help your site rank higher and reach more people-without needing to be a technical expert.
This article will walk you through the essentials of on page SEO, breaking down what matters most and how you can apply these steps to your own website. You’ll learn how to make your pages easy for search engines and users to understand, how to create content that answers real questions, and how to use simple tools to track your progress. By the end, you’ll have a page technicalSEO checklist you can use to keep your site moving up the search engine results page.
Why Your Website’s Pages Might Not Be Ranking Well
Many business owners put time and effort into their websites, only to find their pages buried deep in Google search results. This can be frustrating, especially if you know you have something valuable to offer. There are a few common reasons why this happens:
Search engines can’t easily figure out what your pages are about.
Your content doesn’t match what people are searching for (search intent).
Technical issues, like slow page speed or broken links, are holding you back.
Your site isn’t set up to help search engine bots crawl and index pages efficiently.
If any of this sound familiar, you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how to address these issues step by step.
Understanding What Search Engines Look For
Search engines like Google and Bing want to show users the most relevant, helpful results. They use search engine crawlers (sometimes called search engine bots) to scan your web pages and decide where they should appear in search engine results. Here’s what they’re looking for:
Clear, relevant content that answers the user’s question.
A logical site structure with helpful internal links and external links.
Fast-loading pages that work well on mobile devices.
Pages that are easy to navigate and free of broken links.
Unique content that isn’t copied from other sites.
If your site ticks these boxes, you’re already on the right track. If not, don’t worry-we’ll cover how to get there.
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Your On Page SEO Checklist: The Essentials
To help your website rank higher, it’s important to follow a simple on page SEO checklist. These are the steps you can take for each page on your site:
1. Start with Keyword Research
Before you write or update a page, use a free tool or SEO tools to find keywords your customers are searching for. Focus on a primary keyword for each page and look for related keywords and long tail keywords to include naturally.
Use your target keyword in the first paragraph, headings, and throughout the page’s content.
Avoid keyword stuffing-using your keyword too often can make your writing awkward and may hurt your rankings.
Think about search intent. Are people looking for information, a product, or a service? Make sure your content matches what they want.
2. Write Clear Titles and Meta Descriptions
Your title tag is the first thing people see in the search engine results page. It should include your main keyword and clearly tell users what the page is about.
Keep your title tag under 70 characters.
Write a unique meta description for each page. Compelling meta descriptions can help increase clicks from search results, even if they don’t directly affect rankings.
Include your target keyword in the meta description, but make sure it reads naturally.
3. Optimise Your URL Slug
A clean, simple URL helps both users and search engines understand your page. For example, use /on-page-seo-checklist instead of a string of numbers or unrelated words.
Include your target keyword in the URL slug.
Avoid unnecessary words or characters.
4. Use Internal Links and External Links
Linking to other pages on your site (internal links) helps users find more information and tells search engines how your content is connected. Linking to reputable other sites (external links) can also help show that your content is trustworthy.
Use descriptive text for your links, so users know what to expect.
Check regularly for broken links and fix them as part of your site audit.
5. Make Sure Your Content is Unique and Useful
Every page should have relevant content that’s different from other pages on your site and from other sites. Avoid duplicate content, which can confuse search engines.
Answer common questions your customers have.
Use headings and subheadings to break up your content and make it easy to scan.
Add a search bar to your site to help users find what they need.
6. Optimise Your Images
Images can help explain your message, but they need to be set up properly for search engines.
Use descriptive file names and alt text for each image. This helps search engines understand what’s in the image and can boost your image SEO.
Compress images so they load quickly, which helps with page speed and core web vitals.
7. Improve Page Speed and Mobile Experience
Page speed is a ranking factor for Google. If your site is slow, people may leave before it loads.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your page speed.
Compress images and remove unnecessary code.
Make sure your site works well on mobile devices.
8. Use Structured Data When It’s Helpful
Structured data, such as schema markup, helps search engines understand your content and can add extra details to your search listings.
Add schema markup for things like products, blog posts, or events.
This can help your pages stand out in search results with extra information.
9. Keep Your Site Organised and Easy to Navigate
A clear site structure helps both users and search engines.
Use simple menus and logical categories.
Make sure all important pages are easy to find from your homepage.
Use breadcrumbs to show users where they are on your site.
10. Regularly Review and Update Your Pages
Search engine optimisation isn’t a set-and-forget task. As your business grows and search trends change, update your pages to keep them relevant.
Refresh old content with new information.
Remove or update broken links.
Check your keyword rankings and adjust your SEO strategy as needed.
Tracking Your Progress with SEO Tools
You don’t have to guess if your changes are working. Tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics can help you track how your pages are performing.
Google Search Console shows which pages are indexed, what search terms people are using, and any technical issues.
Google Analytics tracks how users interact with your site, such as which pages are most popular and how long people stay.
Bing Webmaster Tools can help you see how your site appears in Bing search results.
Set up a Google Analytics account and check your reports regularly. This will help you see what’s working and where you can improve.
Avoiding Common SEO Mistakes
It’s easy to overlook some details that can hurt your rankings. Here are a few things to watch out for:
Keyword stuffing: Using your target keyword too many times can make your content hard to read.
Duplicate content: Make sure each page is unique.
Ignoring mobile devices: Most users now search on their phones, so your site needs to work well on all screen sizes.
Slow page speed: Large images or too much code can slow down your site.
Not using internal links: Help users and search engines discover more of your content.
Missing or weak meta descriptions: Compelling meta descriptions can boost your click-through rate.
Beyond On Page SEO: Other Ways to Boost Your Rankings
While on page optimisation is key, there are other steps you can take to improve your search engine rankings:
Off page SEO: Building high quality backlinks from other reputable sites can help boost your authority.
Guest posting: Writing articles for other sites can introduce your business to new audiences and provide valuable links.
Google Business Profile: If you have a physical location, keep your Google Business Profile up to date to help people find you in local searches.
Creating a Simple SEO Checklist Template
A page SEO checklist makes it easier to keep track of what you’ve done and what still needs attention. Here’s a simple template you can use for each page:
Have I chosen a primary keyword and included it in the title, headings, and content?
Is the meta title and meta description unique and clear?
Does the URL slug include the target keyword?
Are there internal links to other relevant pages on my site?
Have I checked for and fixed any broken links?
Is my content unique, useful, and free of duplicate content?
Are all images optimised with descriptive file names and alt text?
Does the page load quickly on both desktop and mobile devices?
Have I added structured data where it’s helpful?
Is the page easy to find from the homepage or main menu?
Using Analytics to Guide Your SEO Strategy
Once you’ve made changes, use your Google Analytics account and Google Search Console to see what’s working. Look for:
Increases in organic traffic to your pages.
Better keyword rankings for your target keywords.
More clicks from search engine results.
Lower bounce rates and longer time spent on your pages.
If you notice that some pages aren’t performing as well as others, review your page SEO checklist and see where you can make improvements.
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Keeping Up With Changes in Search Engine Optimisation
Search engines update their algorithms regularly. What works today might need tweaking tomorrow. Stay up to date by:
Following trusted SEO blogs or news sources.
Reviewing your keyword research checklist every few months.
Running a site audit regularly to catch technical issues early.
Testing new ideas and tracking results with your analytics tools.
Conclusion: Take the Next Step to Improve Your Google Results
Improving your website’s pages for better Google results doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following a clear on page SEO checklist, focusing on relevant content, and using simple tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics, you can make steady progress. Remember, search engine optimisation is about helping both search engines and users find what they need quickly and easily.
If you’d like support with your SEO strategy, need help with a site audit, or want advice tailored to your business, our team at ACT Marketing is here to help. We work with Australian businesses like yours to create practical, effective solutions that help you rank higher and reach more customers. Reach out today and let’s get your website working harder for you.