What is on-page SEO optimization?

25.08.24

On-page SEO (sometimes also called internal SEO) refers to a series of activities conducted on the part of the website visible to users. These activities include updating the page's meta information, targeting keywords, adjusting headlines, improving content, enhancing link structure, optimizing images for SEO, and many other processes.

Through on-page SEO, Google can understand which keywords a page is targeting. If no SEO optimization is conducted on your site and your pages don’t target keywords correctly, it’s a sign that your site requires on-page SEO.

On-page SEO vs. off-page SEO: what’s the difference?

As the names suggest, on-page SEO covers the optimization of only the visible part of the website. On the other hand, off-page SEO involves link-building efforts from external sites and PR activities for your website. In the SEO optimization process, after improving the internal SEO of a website, the focus shifts to external SEO. If the site’s technical state and on-page SEO are not optimized, these aspects need to be addressed first.

What are the advantages of on-page SEO optimization?

On-page SEO is an extremely important process for your site. Its advantages include:

The ability to show Google which keywords your pages are targeting.
The ability to improve your site’s ranking in Google search results.
The potential to attract more traffic and increase sales.

After on-page SEO is implemented, your site can quickly rise in search results and reach the top positions. This directly results in making your products and services more visible to your target audience, leading to more traffic and sales.

What elements should you focus on during on-page SEO optimization?

There are several key elements to focus on during on-page SEO optimization. These elements are visible to users, play a role in search engine algorithms, and directly affect your rankings in search results:

URL
Site architecture
Page title
Topic headings
Meta descriptions
Alt tags
Keywords
Content
Images
Internal links
Schema
Site speed
Mobile responsiveness
Geo-tags
Breadcrumbs

This list contains many important factors that search engines consider when evaluating a page.

How to perform on-page SEO optimization for your site?

You can manage the SEO process for your site yourself. However, SEO optimization requires attention to detail, and any mistakes could result in a loss of traffic.

Here are some steps for on-page SEO optimization that you can apply to your website:

Use concise and relevant URLs.
Conduct proper keyword research.
Ensure that keywords are used in page titles.
Include keywords in topic headings.
Incorporate keywords into the meta information of the page.
Create strong content enriched with keywords.
Increase the number of internal links on your site.
Optimize your website’s speed.
Add alt tags to images.
Ensure your site is mobile-friendly.
Use geo-tags if your services target local areas.
Use breadcrumbs to improve navigation for users.

Important considerations for on-page SEO optimization

Now that we understand what on-page SEO is, let's look at important points to consider during the optimization process:

The URL must contain the keyword.
The meta title must include the keyword.
Meta titles should not exceed 600 pixels (55-65 characters).
The keyword should appear within the first 100 words of the content.
Keywords should be used in the alt tags of images.
Keywords should be used in H1, H2, H3, and similar headings.

1. Using URLs

The URL is one of the most important elements that indicates what keyword the page is targeting. Google first analyzes the URL to understand the page’s context, so you should use keywords in your site’s URLs.

When creating URLs, avoid overloading them with too many keywords. Keep URLs short and centered around the primary keyword.

2. Using keywords in page titles

The page title is one of the main elements that Google analyzes to understand the page’s context. Page titles are indicated in the website’s code between <title></title> tags. These are often referred to as meta titles.

Page titles should not exceed 600 pixels in length. This is the maximum length for titles displayed in Google search results. Longer titles won’t be fully visible in search results.

Using keywords in page titles can help your site rank higher in Google search results.

3. Using keywords in topic headings

Using keywords in topic headings is one of the main areas to focus on. Topic headings appear in H1, H2, H3, etc. tags within the page content, helping to divide the content into readable sections.

Each page should have only one H1 tag. The H1 tag is the best place to showcase your primary keyword. Often, the page’s title (whether it’s a blog post, product, or category) automatically uses the H1 tag. Ensure that the H1 tag includes only one keyword, and it should catch the user’s attention upon visiting the page.

4. Write attention-grabbing meta descriptions

Although Google has stated that meta descriptions do not directly affect rankings, they still play a crucial role in attracting users and utilizing keywords.

Meta descriptions should be no longer than 155 characters or 960 pixels. You can incorporate multiple keywords into the meta descriptions.

5. Using alt tags in images

You should always use alt tags in images included in the content. Since Google cannot “read” images, it tries to understand the image's context through alt tags. Keywords can be freely used in alt tags.

6. Natural use of keywords

Keywords are one of the most crucial elements in SEO. Conduct proper keyword research for your pages and use them correctly.

Key factors to consider when selecting keywords:

Avoid targeting highly competitive keywords. If your site is new or lacks much traffic, focus on low-competition keywords.
Target keywords with high search volumes. High-search-volume, low-competition keywords can attract more traffic.

7. Strong content

Content is essential for SEO. To rank high in Google search results, you need to regularly publish unique and high-quality content. Ensure that your content is original and not duplicated from other websites.

8. Internal links

Internal links are important SEO elements. They help users navigate your site and find related content easily. You can link pages that cover similar or related topics.

9. Site speed

Your site’s speed is crucial for both users and search engines. Ensure that your site loads quickly and is optimized for various devices and browsers. A slow website can negatively impact user experience and search rankings.

10. Mobile responsiveness

With increasing mobile traffic, websites need to be mobile-friendly. Ensure your site has a responsive design and is user-friendly on mobile devices.

11. Geo-tags

If you provide services in a specific region or target a local audience, adding geo-tags helps target local users more effectively.

12. Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs help users navigate your website by showing the path from the homepage to the current page. This improves the user experience and can positively impact SEO.

Conclusion

On-page SEO is a necessary and critical process for any website. It helps improve your site's visibility in search engines, attract more traffic, and boost sales. By following the steps of on-page SEO optimization and continually monitoring their effectiveness, you can achieve long-term success online.