SEO Checklist for a New Website
Launching a new website is exciting, but getting the SEO right from day one will give you the best chance of attracting visitors from Google. These are the key areas I recommend checking before and after your website goes live.
Choose the Right Keywords
Before writing any content, decide what you want each page to rank for. Every page should focus on one main keyword or search phrase, supported by related terms. Avoid trying to optimise several pages for the same keyword, as they can end up competing against each other.
Write Original Content
Every page should have useful, unique content that answers your visitors’ questions. Don’t copy content from other websites or reuse the same text across multiple pages. Write naturally, explain what you do, who you help, and why someone should choose your business.
Create Strong Page Titles and Meta Descriptions
Each page needs its own page title and meta description. Your page title should include your main keyword and clearly explain what the page is about. Your meta description should encourage people to click through from the search results by explaining the benefit of visiting your page.
Structure Your Content Properly
Use one H1 heading on every page, followed by H2 and H3 headings where needed. Breaking content into sections makes it easier for both visitors and search engines to understand.
Optimise Your Images
Large images slow websites down, so compress them before uploading. Give image files descriptive names instead of leaving them as random numbers, and add alt text that accurately describes the image.
Make Your Website Mobile Friendly
Most people now browse on their phones, so your website should work just as well on a mobile device as it does on a desktop. Check that text is easy to read, buttons are simple to tap, and pages display correctly on different screen sizes.
Improve Website Speed
A slow website frustrates visitors and can affect your search rankings. Compress images, remove anything you don’t need, and use reliable website hosting to keep loading times as fast as possible.
Use HTTPS
Your website should be secure and load using HTTPS. Visitors expect a secure connection, and search engines do too.
Create Clear Navigation
Your menu should make it easy for visitors to find the information they need. Keep important pages within a few clicks of the homepage and organise your content logically.
Link Your Pages Together
Internal links help search engines understand your website and encourage visitors to explore further. Link to relevant services, blog posts and supporting pages wherever it makes sense.
Create an XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap helps search engines discover your pages more efficiently. Once your website is live, submit your sitemap through Google Search Console.
Check Your Robots.txt File
Your robots.txt file should allow search engines to crawl the pages you want indexed. It’s surprisingly common for new websites to accidentally block search engines before launch and forget to remove the restriction.
Set Up Google Search Console
Google Search Console is one of the most valuable free SEO tools available. It shows which pages are indexed, highlights technical issues, and lets you submit your sitemap directly to Google.
Install Google Analytics
Google Analytics helps you understand how visitors find your website, which pages they visit, and where improvements can be made. Measuring results is essential if you want your SEO to improve over time.
Fix Broken Links
Broken links create a poor experience for visitors and waste search engine crawl time. Check your website regularly and redirect any pages that have moved.
Avoid Duplicate Content
Every important page should offer something different. Don’t create multiple pages covering exactly the same topic just to target slightly different keywords.
Add Trust Signals
Include clear contact details, an About page, customer reviews, and your privacy and cookie policies. These help build confidence with both visitors and search engines.
Keep Your Website Fresh
SEO isn’t something you do once and forget. Publish new content regularly, update older pages, and improve information as your business grows. Websites that stay active are more likely to continue performing well in search results.
Review Your Website Regularly
Check Google Search Console for errors, monitor your rankings, and review your content every few months. Small improvements made consistently often produce better long term results than making lots of changes all at once.
Don’t Try and Trick Google
The best SEO strategy isn’t about trying to trick Google. It’s about building a fast, well organised website that answers your customers’ questions and makes it easy for them to find the information they need. Get the basics right from the beginning, and you’ll give your new website a much stronger foundation for long term success.