20 Ways to Improve Your Website SEO
Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing site, these 20 tips cover the most impactful changes you can make to improve your search engine rankings. They are ordered by impact — start at the top and work your way down.
On-Page Essentials
1. Write unique title tags for every page
Every page needs its own title tag between 30-60 characters with the primary keyword near the start. This is the single most impactful on-page change you can make.
2. Add meta descriptions to every page
Meta descriptions between 120-160 characters with a call to action. They do not directly affect rankings but dramatically improve click-through rates.
3. Use exactly one H1 per page
Your H1 should clearly describe the page topic and include the primary keyword. Use H2s and H3s for subsections. Check with the heading structure checker.
4. Add alt text to all images
Descriptive alt text helps with accessibility and image search. "Red Nike running shoe side view" is better than "shoe" or "IMG_001".
5. Set canonical URLs
Every page should have a canonical tag pointing to the preferred URL to prevent duplicate content issues.
Content Quality
6. Write for search intent
Before writing, search your target keyword and look at what Google already ranks. If the top results are how-to guides, write a how-to guide. If they are product pages, optimise your product page. Match the intent.
7. Aim for comprehensive content
Pages with 1,000+ words tend to rank better for competitive queries because they cover topics more thoroughly. But length alone is not enough — every word should add value. Check your word count.
8. Improve readability
Write in clear, simple language. Use short sentences and paragraphs. Break up text with headings, bullet points, and images. Aim for a Flesch score of 60+ for general content.
9. Use keywords naturally
Include your primary keyword in the title, H1, first paragraph, and a few times throughout the content. Use related terms and synonyms. Check your keyword density — 1-3% is ideal.
10. Update old content
Refresh outdated articles with new information, updated dates, and improved formatting. Google favours fresh, accurate content.
Technical SEO
11. Ensure HTTPS is active
HTTPS is a ranking factor. If your site still uses HTTP, migrate immediately. Check with the HTTPS checker.
12. Add structured data
Structured data enables rich results in Google. Add JSON-LD schema for your content type — Article, Product, FAQ, or Organization. Verify with the structured data checker.
13. Fix broken links
Broken links waste crawl budget and frustrate users. Run the broken link checker regularly.
14. Check redirects
Make sure HTTP, HTTPS, WWW, and non-WWW variants all redirect to one canonical version. Use the redirect checker.
15. Optimise page speed
Add lazy loading to images, use width and height attributes, and ensure scripts use async or defer.
Links and Social
16. Build internal links
Link between related pages on your site. Every important page should be reachable within 3 clicks from the homepage. Use the link analyser to check.
17. Add Open Graph tags
Open Graph tags control how your pages appear when shared on social media. Add og:title, og:description, og:image, and og:url.
18. Ensure social profile links
Link to your social media profiles from your website. This helps Google associate your brand across platforms. Check with the social media checker.
Monitoring
19. Run regular audits
Check your key pages monthly with the RankNibbler SEO checker. Use the site audit to scan your entire website at once.
20. Compare with competitors
Use the SEO compare tool to see how your pages stack up against competitors targeting the same keywords.
Last updated: March 2026