By the Lenoretech SEO Strategy Team · Reviewed by a senior SEO strategist · Last updated: June 2026
On-page SEO is the practice of optimising everything on a web page - its content, title, headings, URL, internal links and images - so it matches what searchers want and ranks higher on Google. It is the type of SEO you control most directly, and where most rankings are won. Here is the complete checklist. For the wider picture, see the types of SEO and what SEO is.
The on-page SEO checklist
| Element | What to do |
|---|---|
| Target keyword | Pick one main keyword per page, based on real search volume |
| Title tag | Put the keyword near the front, keep under ~60 characters |
| Meta description | Write a compelling summary under ~155 characters |
| URL slug | Short, readable, includes the keyword |
| H1 heading | One per page, contains the main keyword |
| Subheadings (H2/H3) | Use related keywords, structure the content |
| First 100 words | Mention the keyword early and answer the query |
| Helpful content | Match search intent, add depth, tables and examples |
| Internal links | Link to related pages with descriptive anchor text |
| Image alt text | Describe images, include keywords where natural |
| Schema markup | Add relevant structured data for rich results |
Content is the heart of on-page SEO
Titles and tags matter, but Google now rewards genuinely helpful, in-depth content that answers the searcher's question better than competitors. Write for the reader first - match their intent, add real value, and structure it clearly with headings, lists and tables.
Internal linking: an underused win
Linking your pages together with descriptive anchor text helps Google understand your site and spreads ranking strength. It is one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort on-page tactics - more in our internal linking guide.
See our SEO services or book a free strategy audit →
On-page is only one piece
Strong on-page SEO needs a healthy technical foundation and off-page authority to fully pay off. See our technical SEO checklist and off-page SEO guide, or get a free SEO audit to see what your pages are missing.