SEO Checklist: 25 Must-Have Items Before Launch
Launching a website without proper SEO is like opening a store without a sign. Use this comprehensive checklist to ensure your site is optimized from day one.
Technical SEO Checklist
- Install SSL Certificate - Ensure HTTPS is enabled
- Submit XML Sitemap - Help search engines find all pages
- Configure robots.txt - Control what gets crawled
- Set up Google Search Console - Monitor performance
- Add Google Analytics - Track visitor data
- Optimize page speed - Target under 3 seconds
- Ensure mobile responsiveness - Test on all devices
- Fix broken links - No 404 errors
- Create 301 redirects - For any moved content
- Implement structured data - Enable rich snippets
On-Page SEO Checklist
- Optimize title tags - Include keywords, keep under 60 chars
- Write meta descriptions - Compelling, 150-160 chars
- Use header tags properly - H1 for main title, H2-H6 for structure
- Optimize images - Compress and add alt text
- Internal linking - Link to relevant pages
- Create unique content - No duplicate pages
- Add canonical tags - Prevent duplicate content issues
Content SEO Checklist
- Keyword research - Target relevant, achievable keywords
- Content quality - Provide real value to readers
- Readability - Use short paragraphs and simple language
- Multimedia - Include images, videos where appropriate
- Call-to-actions - Guide users to next steps
Final Checks
- Test on multiple browsers - Chrome, Firefox, Safari
- Check accessibility - WCAG compliance
- Review all forms - Ensure they work properly
Complete this checklist before launch, and you'll have a solid SEO foundation for long-term success.
