WordPress SEO Checklist: 10 Essentials Every Site Needs

If you’re running a WordPress site, SEO isn’t optional—it’s foundational. Whether you’re building for yourself or clients, following a solid SEO checklist will boost visibility, traffic, and conversions.

Here’s a practical, battle-tested WordPress SEO checklist to help you get it right:

1. Use a Clean Permalink Structure

Go to Settings → Permalinks and choose “Post Name.” Avoid messy URLs like /?p=123 — clean URLs help search engines and users.

2. Set Unique Titles & Meta Descriptions

Use an SEO plugin like Rank Math or Yoast. Make sure every page and post has:

• A unique SEO title (under 60 characters)
• A compelling meta description (under 155 characters)

3. Use One < h1 > tag Per Page

Your post/page title is usually your H1 — don’t duplicate it elsewhere. Use H2 and H3 to organize the rest of your content.

4. Optimize Images with Alt Text

Every image should include alt text that describes the image naturally. This improves accessibility and helps Google understand visuals.

5. Create and Submit a Sitemap

SEO plugins can auto-generate this. Submit it via Google Search Console for better indexing.

6. Add Schema Markup

Schema tells Google what your content is. Use plugins to add structured data like:

• Article
• FAQ
• Local Business

7. Use Internal Linking Strategically

Link related posts or pages within your content. Example:
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8. Improve Site Speed

Google prioritizes fast-loading sites. Use caching (LiteSpeed, Autoptimize), compress images, and keep your theme/plugin load light.

9. Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly

Your site should be fully responsive. Elementor makes this easy—test your layouts on mobile and tablet views.

10. Enable HTTPS & Basic Security

A secure site ranks better. Install an SSL certificate and use plugins like Wordfence or Solid Security to guard your WordPress install.

Bonus Tip: Track Your Performance

Set up Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor traffic, search terms, and site health. These tools show you what’s working—and what’s not.

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