On‑Page SEO SOP — titles, metas, headers, internal links, alt text, and answer‑box formatting

Why on‑page SEO matters

You do on‑page SEO so a reader can quickly understand your post and search engines can index it correctly. You are not trying to trick anyone. You are making your post easy to find and easy to read. When your title matches the promise, your meta explains the value, your headers carry the story, and your links guide the journey, you help both people and machines.

Quickstart: 20‑minute checklist

1. Write 3 title options that use your main key phrase and a clear promise. Choose one.
2. Write a short meta description (about two lines) that explains the benefit and invites a click.
3. Check H1, H2, H3. Make sure they match the intent and cover the main sections in order.
4. Add 3–5 internal links: one up to a parent page, one to a sibling or related post, one to your next action or offer.
5. Write alt text for images. Then write a 40–60 word answer near the top that solves the main question.

The SOP in 10 Steps (Detailed & Simple)

Good: “New to travel adapters? Learn the plug types, voltage, and a quick way to pick the right one in minutes.”
Needs work: “We talk about adapters and more. Click here now!!!”

Titles — write, test, and choose

Write 3–5 options fast. Read them aloud. Keep the promise clear and the phrasing natural. Use numbers when helpful (e.g., “7 easy steps”). Test two versions in social or email if you can, and pick the one that gets more clicks and replies.

Good:
• “On‑Page SEO Checklist: Titles, Metas, Headers, Links, Alt Text, and Answer Boxes”
• “On‑Page SEO, Step‑by‑Step: Title to Alt Text (With Examples)”

Needs work:
• “SEO Tips for Everyone” (too broad, no focus)
• “You Won’t Believe These SEO Tricks” (clickbait)

Meta descriptions — write for humans, include the key phrase

You write a meta to help the reader decide. If they search for “on‑page SEO checklist,” your meta can say, “See a simple checklist for titles, metas, headers, links, alt text, and answer boxes.” This confirms they are in the right place. Add a gentle action like “Use it before you publish.”

Good: “Use this simple on‑page SEO checklist for titles, metas, headers, links, alt text, and answer‑box formatting before you publish.”
Needs work: “This is about on‑page SEO and more. Click now.”

Headers — H1 to H3 structure

Use one H1. Then use H2s for your main sections and H3s for details. Think of headers as signposts in a city. They tell a new visitor where to go next. If a section is long and covers different ideas, split it into two H2s.

Example H2s for this post:
• Titles — write, test, and choose
• Meta descriptions — write for humans
• Headers — H1 to H3 structure
• Internal links — help readers move next
• Image alt text — describe the image simply
• Answer‑box formatting — 40–60 word answer

Internal links — help readers move next

Internal links help a reader go deeper and help search engines understand your site. Place them where they make sense. Use helpful anchor text. If you have a hub page, always link back to it from child posts. If you have a related guide, link across. If you have a next action, link forward.

Good:
“See our full on‑page SEO checklist if you want a printable version.”

Needs work:
“Click here.” (no context)

Image alt text — describe the image simply

Write what the image shows in everyday words. If the image is decorative (adds style but no meaning), use an empty alt (alt="") so screen readers skip it. If the image is a chart, summarize the key number in the alt text and explain details in the caption.

Answer‑box formatting — 40–60 word answer

Put your short answer right after the intro. Use plain words. If it’s a “how to,” give 3–5 short steps. If it’s a “what is,” give a one‑line definition and one line of context. Keep it tidy and factual.

Example:
“What is on‑page SEO?” — On‑page SEO is the set of actions you take on your page to make it clear and useful, such as writing a strong title and meta, using clear headers, adding internal links, writing alt text, and giving a short answer near the top.

URLs & canonicals — short slugs, one main version

Good slugs: /on-page-seo-checklist, /travel-adapter-guide. Avoid long strings or dates unless dates are required for news. If you have duplicate versions, set one canonical URL to show the main one.

Structured data (optional but helpful)

If you already use a plugin or a CMS field for schema, fill it correctly. If you do not use schema yet, you can skip it and still do great on‑page SEO with clear content.

Examples library — good vs needs work

Use these examples as a quick guide while you edit.

Title
Good: “How to Format Meta Descriptions (With 12 Examples)”
Needs work: “Meta Description Tricks That Will Shock You”

Meta
Good: “Write a clear two‑line summary that uses your main phrase once and promises a result.”
Needs work: “Best meta description for SEO — learn now!!!”

Header
Good: “Write a 40–60 word answer near the top”
Needs work: “More tips”

Internal link
Good: “See our on‑page SEO checklist to review your post in five minutes.”
Needs work: “Click here.”

Alt text
Good: “Screenshot of a search result page showing a definition snippet at the top.”
Needs work: “SEO image”

Visual SEO checklist (tabloid)

Tip: You can copy this tabloid into your CMS or a shared doc so your team can tick it before publishing.

Final QA before publish

• Open the preview. Read the first screen on a phone. Can a new reader tell what they will get?
• Test all links. Do they go to helpful pages? Does the anchor text make sense?
• Look at images. Does each one have a filename and alt text that matches what it shows?
• Read your answer box. Is it a clean 40–60 words or a short step list?

FAQ