SEO Audit Checklist

SSL certificate installed (HTTPS)

Google heavily favors HTTPS sites. Install a free SSL from Let's Encrypt.

Page load speed under 3 seconds

Use Google PageSpeed Insights to test. Compress images and minify CSS/JS.

Mobile-responsive design

Test with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test tool. Ensure touch targets are 48px+.

XML sitemap submitted to Google

Generate a sitemap.xml and submit it via Google Search Console.

Robots.txt configured correctly

Ensure important pages are crawlable and block admin/API routes.

Canonical tags on all pages

Prevent duplicate content issues by specifying the preferred URL.

Structured data / Schema markup

Add JSON-LD structured data for rich snippets in search results.

Unique title tags (50-60 chars)

Include primary keyword naturally. Make it compelling for clicks.

Meta descriptions (150-160 chars)

Write action-oriented descriptions with your target keyword.

One H1 tag per page

Each page should have exactly one H1 that includes the primary keyword.

Proper heading hierarchy (H1-H6)

Use H2s for main sections, H3s for subsections. Don't skip levels.

Image alt text on all images

Describe images accurately. Include keywords where natural.

Internal linking strategy

Link related pages together. Use descriptive anchor text.

High-quality, original content

Minimum 300 words per page. Focus on providing real value.

Quality backlinks from directories

List on Startup List for a DA 40+ dofollow backlink — it's free.

Active social media profiles

Maintain profiles on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and relevant platforms.

Google Business Profile (if applicable)

Claim your Google Business listing for local SEO benefits.

Brand mentions and PR

Get mentioned in blog posts, podcasts, and industry publications.

Online reviews and ratings

Encourage users to leave reviews on Startup List and G2.

Keyword research completed

Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, or free tools like Ubersuggest for keyword research.

Regular blog content published

Publish at least 2 blog posts per month targeting long-tail keywords.

FAQ pages for common questions

Target question-based keywords. Great for featured snippets.

Landing pages for key services

Create dedicated pages for each product/service with targeted keywords.