Checklist

SEO Checklist 2025: Key Points to Ensure a Truly Well-Optimized Site

Do you think your site is optimized for SEO? Here's the complete checklist to make sure. Technical aspects, content, UX, linking, authority: everything Google looks at, line by line.

Apr 6, 2025

1. Technical SEO – The Invisible but Essential Foundation

  • The site loads in less than 2 seconds on mobile and desktop

  • The Google PageSpeed score is ≥ 90 on mobile and desktop

  • All important pages are in HTTPS

  • The URL is clean, readable, and without unnecessary parameters (e.g., /services/web-development)

  • The site is mobile-first and responsive

  • The sitemap.xml is properly generated and submitted to Google Search Console

  • The robots.txt file is clean and doesn't block anything essential

  • All important pages are indexable (no accidental noindex)

  • No broken links (404) or redirect chains (301 > 301 > ...)

  • Redirects are properly set up (301 permanent, not 302)

  • Schema.org markup is implemented (Organization, Breadcrumb, Article…)

  • Images are in optimized formats (WebP) and use lazy loading

  • Fonts are loaded efficiently (avoid FOIT/FOUT blocking)

  • No duplicate content (via canonical tags or a clear structure)

2. Structure and Content – To Be Understood by Google (and Your Clients)

  • One single <h1> tag per page, clear and descriptive

  • A logical hierarchy of headings (h1 > h2 > h3, no jumps)

  • Main keywords placed in:

    • The SEO title (the <title> tag)

    • The <meta description> tag (without over-optimizing)

    • The URL

    • The H1

    • The first 100 words of content

  • Pages have unique, useful, user-focused content

  • Content is structured in short paragraphs, lists, subheadings

  • Images have descriptive ALT attributes

  • The site answers a clear search intention (informational, transactional, navigational)

  • CTAs are well integrated and clear

  • No hidden text or keyword stuffing

3. User Experience (UX) – Because Google Measures Satisfaction

  • The site is intuitive and easy to navigate

  • Menus are simple, clear, and work well on mobile

  • Bounce rate is monitored and optimized

  • Time spent on pages is high (engaging content)

  • The site meets Core Web Vitals:

    • LCP < 2.5s

    • FID < 100ms

    • CLS < 0.1

  • Forms are short and functional

  • No intrusive pop-up blocking content upon arrival

4. Internal Linking – To Guide Robots (and Visitors)

  • Each page is linked to other relevant pages of the site

  • Link anchors are descriptive (avoid "click here")

  • No orphan pages (not linked from other pages)

  • Links to high-conversion pages are placed in hot zones

  • Blog posts link back to service or product pages

5. Backlinks and Authority – For Credibility and Positioning

  • The site has quality backlinks (trustworthy sites, similar themes)

  • No dubious link purchases / blog networks

  • Local citations if location-based activity (Yellow Pages, Google Maps, etc.)

  • The link profile is diversified (not 100% on the homepage or exact keyword)

  • The content is good enough to be naturally shared

6. Monitoring & Analysis – For Continuous Improvement

  • Google Search Console is properly connected

  • Google Analytics 4 is installed and tracks conversions

  • Position tracking with tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, SEObserver…

  • Regular analysis of page performance: traffic, click-through rate, average time, conversions

  • A/B tests on high-traffic pages to improve conversion rates

  • Technical error monitoring (via Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, etc.)