How do I start SEO for a new website?

Start with keyword and intent research, fix technical basics like HTTPS, crawlability and sitemaps, then optimize titles, headings and content, and finally work on performance, UX and links.

How long does a full SEO audit checklist take?

Working through all 38 items on this checklist usually takes a few hours for a small site and a few days for a larger one. Progress is saved in your browser, so you can continue later.

Is this checklist free?

Yes — the checklist is free, works offline, and your progress is stored only in your own browser. Nothing is uploaded to any server.

✅ The Interactive SEO Checklist — 38 Practical Steps

Work through six phases — from keyword foundations to measurement. Tick items as you finish them; progress is saved automatically in your browser and nothing is uploaded anywhere.

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1. Keyword & intent foundations

Define the one primary goal of the site (leads, sales, signups, traffic).
List the 5–10 topics your ideal customer actually searches for.
Map every important page to one primary keyword phrase.
Check search intent for each phrase (informational, comparison, transactional).
Find 3 competitors ranking for each priority phrase and note their angle.
Build a long-tail list (questions, comparisons, local variants) for each topic.

2. Technical SEO basics

Install SSL so every URL loads over HTTPS without mixed-content warnings.
Make every page reachable in under three clicks from the homepage.
Verify the site is mobile-friendly at 360px and 375px widths.
Fix duplicate versions of the site (http/www/case) with 301 redirects to one canonical host.
Create an XML sitemap and submit it in Google Search Console.
Create or verify robots.txt is not blocking important pages or assets.
Add canonical tags on pages with parameters, filters, or print views.
Check for broken links (404s) with a crawl and fix the important ones.

3. On-page optimization

Write one unique, specific H1 per page containing the primary phrase.
Write title tags under ~60 characters with the keyword near the front.
Write meta descriptions under ~155 characters that earn the click.
Use descriptive H2/H3 subheadings instead of styling plain paragraphs as headings.
Add descriptive alt text to every meaningful image.
Link related pages together with descriptive anchor text (not "click here").
Clean up thin pages: merge, expand, or noindex them.
Add structured data (Organization, Product, FAQ, or Article) where it honestly applies.

4. Content quality

Answer the page’s core question in the first screen of content.
Add proof where you can: data, screenshots, examples, or first-hand experience.
Update or remove outdated content at least twice a year.
Break long walls of text with lists, tables, and short paragraphs.
Add an FAQ section using real questions customers actually ask.
Publish pages people can act on — clear next step on every important URL.

5. Performance & UX

Compress images (WebP/AVIF) and set explicit width/height to avoid layout shift.
Serve CSS and JS minified and cached; remove unused third-party scripts.
Check Core Web Vitals in Search Console and fix the worst template first.
Make primary buttons and inputs comfortably tappable on mobile (44px+).
Keep popups from covering content on mobile — they are a ranking risk and a conversion killer.

6. Measurement & authority

Set up Google Search Console and verify both www and non-www versions.
Track one conversion that matters (form, checkout, or signup) — not just pageviews.
List the site in relevant, reputable directories and industry profiles.
Earn links with things worth linking to: data, tools, guides, or original research.
Review rankings and queries monthly; double down on pages already on page one.

How to use this checklist

Do the phases roughly in order: keywords and intent define what to build, technical SEO makes it crawlable, on-page makes it understandable, content makes it worth ranking, performance and UX make it usable, and measurement tells you what worked. Revisit this page after every major site change — progress stays saved in this browser.