Improving your on page SEO score is essential for enhancing your website’s search engine visibility and driving organic traffic.
But to do that, you must first clearly understand the key on-page elements to ensure that your website meets search engine standards while delivering a great user experience.
This is why, I’ve created this guide.
In this guide, I’ll explain on-page SEO, why it’s important, and how to check and improve your score using tools like SEOBoost and AIOSEO.
Let’s start with a definition.
What is On-Page SEO?
On-page SEO refers to optimizing elements within your website to improve its ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).
These include the quality of your SEO content, meta tags, meta descriptions, header tags, internal links, and good SEO URL structure.
Unlike off-page SEO, which focuses on external factors like backlinks, on-page SEO is entirely under your control.
Think of on-page SEO as the foundation of your website’s search visibility. When done right, it makes your content accessible, relevant, and optimized for users and search engines.
Here’s a complete on-page SEO checklist to follow and improve your SEO score.
Pro Tip: Here’s a complete on-page SEO checklist for you to follow and improve your SEO score.
Why Should You Check Your On Page SEO Score?
Your on page SEO score measures the quality of your page content and reflects how well your webpage is optimized for search engine ranking.
Regularly checking and working to improve your on page SEO score is important because it helps you with the following:
- Improved Rankings: A higher on page SEO score increases your chances of ranking higher on SERPs.
- Better User Experience: Optimization ensures your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.
- Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR): Well-optimized meta titles and descriptions can boost CTR, bringing more traffic to your site.
- Competitive Edge: A strong on-page SEO strategy keeps you ahead of competitors who target similar keywords and create similar site content.
8 Key Elements That Affect Your On Page SEO Score
Now that you know what on-page SEO is and how it impacts your overall ranking, here are the 8 key elements you should keep in mind.
1. Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Title tags and meta descriptions are HTML elements that describe the content of your webpage.
They appear on search engine results pages (SERPs) as the clickable headline and the accompanying snippet, providing users with a preview of your page.
These elements make your first impression on potential visitors. That is why a well-crafted title tag and meta description can improve your click-through rate (CTR) and signal relevance to search engines, impacting your rankings.
Optimization Tips:
- Include your target keywords naturally to align with user search intent.
- Keep title tags under 60 characters and meta descriptions under 160 characters to ensure they display fully on SERPs.
- Write compelling, action-oriented copy that highlights the value your page offers.
2. Content Quality and Keyword Optimization
Content quality refers to how valuable, relevant, and engaging your content is for readers, while keyword optimization ensures that your content aligns with the terms users seek.
Here’s the thing: high-quality, keyword-optimized content directly addresses user intent, making it more likely to rank higher in search results.
That is why, you should create engaging content that keeps readers on your page longer, reduces bounce rates, and increases the likelihood of conversions.
Optimization Tips:
- Use tools like SEOBoost’s Content Optimization feature to analyze your content for readability, structure, and keyword placement.
- Include primary and secondary keywords naturally throughout your content, especially in headings, subheadings, and the first 100 words.
- Focus on answering user queries comprehensively and providing actionable insights.
For example, if your target keyword is “best digital marketing tools,” structure your content to include subtopics like “features,” “pricing,” and “comparisons” to cover the subject holistically.
Remember, high-quality content isn’t just about keywords – it’s about providing real value to your audience.
Remember, high-quality content isn’t just about keywords – it’s about providing real value to your audience.
3. URL Structure
URL structure refers to the format and organization of your web page’s address.
A clean and logical URL makes it easier for users and search engines to understand your page’s content.
In fact, search engines use URLs as a ranking factor, so well-structured URLs can enhance your ranking potential and boost click-through rates.
Optimization Tips:
- Keep URLs short and descriptive. Avoid unnecessary characters, numbers, or parameters that make them confusing.
- Include your primary keyword naturally in the URL to improve relevance.
- Structure your URLs hierarchically for better navigation.
A clear and optimized URL improves user experience and makes your content more discoverable to search engines.
Remember, a clear and optimized URL improves user experience and makes your content more discoverable to search engines.
4. Header Tags
Header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) are HTML elements that structure a webpage’s content.
They organize information into a clear hierarchy, making it easier for readers to scan and for search engines to understand the page’s content.
For search engines, providing context and highlighting the most important parts of your content will boost your SEO performance.
Optimization Tips:
- Use one H1 tag per page as the main title, ensuring it contains your primary keyword naturally.
- Utilize H2 and H3 tags to divide content into subtopics, incorporating related keywords to enhance relevancy.
- Keep header tags concise and descriptive, ensuring they accurately reflect the content of each section.
Properly structured header tags make your content more engaging for readers and improve your chances of ranking higher for relevant search terms.
Properly structured header tags make your content more engaging for readers and improve your chances of ranking higher for relevant search terms.
5. Internal Linking
Internal linking refers to hyperlinks that connect one page of your website to another. These links help users navigate your site and guide search engines in understanding the structure and hierarchy of your content.
More importantly, search engines use internal links to crawl and index your site more effectively.
Optimization Tips:
- Link to relevant pages using descriptive anchor text that includes keywords naturally.
- Use tools like AIOSEO’s Link Assistant to identify gaps and opportunities for meaningful internal linking.
- Avoid excessive linking; focus on links that add value for the user and context to the content.
6. Image Optimization
Image optimization involves adjusting image size, format, and metadata to improve load times and search engine visibility without compromising quality.
Optimization Tips:
- Compress images to reduce file size while maintaining quality. Tools like TinyPNG or built-in CMS compression features can help.
- Add descriptive alt text with relevant keywords to make your images search-engine-friendly and improve accessibility.
- Use appropriate file formats like JPEG for photographs and PNG for graphics.
7. Mobile Friendliness
Mobile-friendliness refers to how well your website performs on mobile devices, ensuring it is responsive and easy to navigate on smaller screens.
With mobile-first indexing, Google predominantly uses the mobile version of your site for ranking and indexing.
That is why a mobile-friendly site improves user experience, reduces bounce rates, and increases engagement on mobile devices.
Optimization Tips:
- Implement responsive design to ensure your site adjusts seamlessly to various screen sizes.
- Use tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to identify and resolve usability issues.
- Ensure buttons and links are easily clickable on touchscreens and avoid intrusive pop-ups that hinder navigation.
8. Page Speed
Page speed refers to the time it takes for a webpage to load and become interactive for users fully.
We all know that slow-loading pages frustrate users, increasing bounce rates and reducing conversions. This is why, it is a critical factor for user experience and search engine rankings.
Optimization Tips:
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify speed issues like uncompressed files or large media assets.
- Implement fixes like:
- Enabling caching to reduce load times for returning visitors.
- Minifying CSS, JavaScript, and HTML to eliminate unnecessary code.
- Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve content faster to users across different locations.
How to Check Your On Page SEO Score Using SEOBoost and AIOSEO
The one thing I can promise you is that monitoring and improving your on page SEO score is simplified with the right tools.
I use SEOBoost and AIOSEO to analyze and optimize critical on-page elements.
SEOBoost provides actionable insights for content optimization and distribution. On the other hand, AIOSEO excels in meta tag creation, image optimization, and internal linking, ensuring your site is polished and search-engine-friendly.
Here’s how you can leverage these tools effectively:
1. Use SEOBoost’s Content Optimization Feature
SEOBoost’s Content Optimization feature offers actionable insights to fine-tune your on-page elements.
Some of my favorite features include:
- Analyze Keyword Usage: Evaluate how effectively your primary and secondary keywords are incorporated into headings, meta tags, and body text.
- Improve Readability: Receive suggestions for structuring content to align with keyword intent while avoiding over-optimization.
- Identify Gaps: Spot missing on-page elements, such as headings or meta tags, that could negatively impact your SEO score.
For example, if your content lacks keyword-rich subheadings, SEOBoost will recommend creating descriptive H2 and H3 tags that include relevant terms.
2. Improve Meta Tags with AIOSEO
You can optimize your meta tags and descriptions using AIOSEO’s WordPress plugin.
- Write Optimized Meta Titles and Descriptions: Use keywords naturally while crafting titles and descriptions that are compelling and action-oriented.
- Preview SERP Appearance: Ensure your meta tags meet Google’s character limits (titles under 60 characters, descriptions under 160) for proper display in search results.
- Boost CTR: By writing engaging meta descriptions, you encourage more users to click on your links, improving overall visibility.
3. Optimize Images Using AIOSEO
AIOSEO’s image SEO plugin helps you enhance image SEO, which is crucial for both load speed and search rankings.
- Add Descriptive Alt Text: Include relevant keywords in alt text to improve accessibility and help search engines understand your images.
- Compress Images: Use built-in tools to reduce file sizes without compromising quality, ensuring faster page load times.
- Use Proper File Names: Rename image files with descriptive names (e.g., “seo-tips-guide.jpg” instead of “IMG1234.jpg”) to improve search engine indexing.
4. Enhance Internal Linking with AIOSEO’s Link Assistant
This is by far one of my favorite AIOSEO features!
Using the Link Assistant, you can completely automate and improve navigation and distribute link equity across your site.
- Identify Opportunities: Automatically discover pages that could benefit from additional internal links to strengthen the content network.
- Boost Page Authority: Add meaningful links to related posts or pages to improve SEO and user experience.
- Audit and Update Links: Regularly review your internal links to ensure they remain relevant and functional.
Final Word
Checking and improving your on-page website SEO score is key to maintaining a strong online presence.
This is also where SEO analysis tools like SEOBoost and AIOSEO can simplify this process. They provide powerful SEO features, actionable insights, and automation to resolve your SEO issues.
So, regularly monitoring ensures your site stays competitive and aligned with SEO best practices to drive sustainable organic growth.
FAQs
1. What is a good on page SEO score?
A good on page SEO score typically ranges between 85 and 100, indicating that most critical elements are optimized effectively.
2. What is page score in SEO?
Page score measures the optimization quality of an individual webpage, factoring in elements like meta tags, content quality, and technical SEO.
3. What is a good SEO score?
A good overall SEO score is 80 or above. This reflects strong optimization across both on-page and technical elements.
4. How to check on-page SEO of a page?
You can check on-page SEO using on-page SEO tools like SEOBoost or AIOSEO. These tools analyze meta tags, content, links, and technical factors to provide a comprehensive on-page SEO analysis.
