On-page SEO: the complete checklist
On-page SEO covers everything on the page itself: titles, headings, content, internal links, images and URLs. This checklist walks through each element so every page is fully optimised for users and search engines.
On-page SEO is the part of optimisation you fully control: the content and HTML of each page. Get these right and you give every page its best chance to rank.
Title tag & meta description
Write a unique, descriptive title (≈50–60 characters) with the main keyword near the front, and a compelling meta description (≈150–160 characters) that earns the click. The description isn't a ranking factor but strongly affects click-through.
Headings (H1–H3)
Use exactly one H1 that states the page topic, then organise content under logical H2 and H3 headings. Phrase headings as the questions and subtopics people search for.
Content quality & keywords
Cover the topic thoroughly and accurately. Use the primary keyword and natural variations where they fit — never stuff. Write for a person first; clarity and completeness are what rank.
Internal links
Link to your related pages with descriptive anchor text. Internal links spread authority, help Google discover pages and keep readers on your site. Every important page should be reachable in a few clicks.
Images & media
Compress images, use descriptive file names and alt text (which also aids accessibility and image search), and set width/height to avoid layout shift.
URLs & canonicals
Use short, readable, keyword-relevant URLs (e.g. /tools/income-tax-calculator). Set a self-referencing canonical tag on every page to avoid duplicate-URL dilution.
Key takeaways
- ✓One clear H1; logical, question-style H2/H3 headings.
- ✓Unique title + meta description on every page.
- ✓Thorough, accurate, human-first content with natural keywords.
- ✓Descriptive internal links, optimised images, clean URLs + canonicals.
On-Page SEO — FAQ
How many keywords should a page target?+
One primary keyword/intent per page, plus the natural variations and related sub-questions it implies. Splitting intents across focused pages beats one page chasing everything.
Does keyword density matter?+
No. Modern search understands meaning, not keyword counts. Cover the topic well and use natural language; avoid repetitive stuffing.
Related guides
Sources & data note
These guides explain widely-accepted SEO, AEO and GEO practice as documented by Google Search Central, schema.org and current industry research. Search and AI systems evolve continually — treat specific thresholds (e.g. Core Web Vitals targets) as current guidance and verify against the latest official documentation. Examples are tailored to Nepal's market.