SEO checklist for new websites: make sure you miss nothing

Launching a new website is exciting, but without proper SEO optimisation you’ll miss out on potential visitors. With this comprehensive SEO checklist you ensure your site is ready for search engines from day one.

Technical SEO: the basics

• Make sure your site uses a secure HTTPS connection.

• Optimise loading speed with caching and compressed images.

• Use a mobile‑friendly (responsive) design.

• Set up an XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console.

• Check and optimise your robots.txt file.

On‑page SEO: content and structure

• Use clear, relevant page titles (title tags).

• Write compelling meta descriptions to generate more clicks.

• Use H1, H2 and H3 headings to give structure to your content.

• Optimise images with alt‑text.

• Employ internal links for a logical site architecture.

Content SEO: providing valuable information

• Create high‑quality content that matches search intent.

• Use relevant keywords without over‑stuffing.

• Write blogs and articles that add value for your audience.

• Keep content up‑to‑date and relevant.

Off‑page SEO: backlinks and authority

• Build quality backlinks from trustworthy sites.

• Create a Google Business Profile and optimise it.

• Share your content via social media and other platforms.

SEO monitoring and analysis

• Use Google Analytics to track traffic and performance.

• Regularly check your site for errors with Google Search Console.

• Conduct periodic SEO audits to uncover improvement opportunities.