There have been a number of strides happening in the world of SEO. With consistently evolving algorithms and AI updates, Google has been prioritising to rank content that adds value to user searches and is relevant to their queries. Gone are the days when merely integrating keywords in your content was the key; we have come a long way since then.

In 2025, if you want to rank higher on the SERPs, the absolute non-negotiable factor you need to take into consideration is on-page SEO. Of course, on-page optimisation includes optimising every relevant page for better visibility and organic traffic. But what are the things you should have in your checklist for it? In this blog, we will explore the factors you need to tick to make sure that your content meets current SEO standards.

Let’s get started!

Keyword research and optimisation

The most basic step in optimising your web page is identifying the right keywords to target. It lays forth a solid foundation for your subsequent SEO efforts. This can further help you in improving your page ranking and organic traffic.

You need to select a primary keyword that has high volume and low competition, and needless to say, it needs to hold relevance to your business and content. Also, identify keywords, terms, and phrases that are semantically related to your primary keyword. For that, you can utilise tools such as Google’s “People Also Ask” or “Searches Related To.”

It is also important to identify the intent behind each keyword to understand their implementation – it helps you understand what your audience is really looking for. For efficient keyword research, you can use tools such as Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, AnswerThePublic, and more.

Optimise title tags, meta descriptions, and headers

When it comes to on-page optimisation to improve SEO performance, the first thing you need to do is optimise your title tags. Make sure you keep it under 60 characters and include your primary keyword in it.

Similarly, you also need to optimise your meta descriptions for better click-through rates. Ensure that the length of your meta description does not exceed 160 characters, includes details about the page, and incorporates a keyword.

You also need to make sure that your content is structured logically with appropriate headers. Use H1 only once, and include your primary keyword in it that clearly conveys what the page is about. H2 and H3 can be used to further organise your content effectively, but don’t forget to include keywords in them.

Content optimisation

Google constantly launches new content updates that prioritise user-first content. This means that you need to make sure that the queries of your users are clearly answered in your content. Content optimisation is an important step in your SEO checklist – this directly impacts user experience. Make sure that your content is written in natural language and that its readability is easy, with a sufficient score.

Image optimisation 

Image optimisation offers dual benefits – it improves SEO performance while also offering a better user experience. Make sure you use descriptive filenames to ensure that search engines understand what the image is all about and make them show up in relevant searches. For this, you can also use alt text that describes the image and includes keywords. Also, make sure to compress images to make sure your site loads faster.

SEO-friendly URL structure

Make sure that the URL structure you use follows SEO practices, is concise, and does not contain any unnecessary words. Make sure to include your target keyword in it and use hyphens between words (-), not underscores (_).

Internal linking

Internal linking is an integral part of your SEO checklist as it enables search engines like Google to understand and crawl the structure of your website. It also plays a key role in improving user experience and the ranking of your website on the SERPs. Internal linking allows for strategic guidance for the users as well as search engines to navigate efficiently and increase page views. This also has a direct impact on indicating the quality of your site to the search engines.

You can link to relevant blogs and product or service pages. For anchor text, make sure that it is descriptive so as to guide the user efficiently. Lastly, the most important aspect of internal linking is to make sure that all links you use are functional.

Page speed & Mobile optimisation

With Google giving utmost priority to mobile-first sites, the mobile version of your website is the original version, and the desktop version has become secondary. This has made it essential for on-page SEO to include mobile optimisation. For this, make sure your website has a responsive design and tap targets that are convenient to use on smaller phone screens. Also, make sure to avoid any type of pop-up that covers any part of your content for a better user experience.

Other than that, the page speed of your website is also an important part of optimisation to improve SEO performance. It can play a major role in determining your website’s visibility on the result pages.

Implementing schema markup

Schema markup is a crucial aspect of SEO as it enables search engines to understand the context of your website. This can lead to better visibility on the search engine result pages and a better user experience. With the help of schema markup, you are giving search engines structured data, explaining to them what your site is all about and what it has inside, which may result in more informative, engaging search results.

Final thoughts

To sum it all up, on-page SEO has evolved much more than simply integrating keywords into your content. It is all about value creation, trust, and providing the audience with a solid user experience. Remember, SEO is a continuous process, and you need to keep up your optimisation game to thrive in the ever-competitive market. Follow this checklist to stay on top of all trends in 2025!