SEO Written by Spacebox Studio 1 min read
An SEO Checklist for Your New Website
The SEO basics every new website should get right before launch, in plain language.
SEO sounds complicated, but most of what helps a new website get found comes down to a handful of basics done well. Here's the checklist we run through before every launch.
Before Launch
- One clear topic per page: each page answers one question and has one main heading.
- Titles and descriptions: unique for every page, written for people, not stuffed with keywords.
- Clean URLs: short and readable, like
/services/web-design/. - Image alt text: a short description of what each picture shows.
- A sitemap and robots.txt: so search engines can find every page.
- Structured data: it helps search engines understand your business, address and opening hours.
On Launch Day
Connect the site to Google Search Console, submit the sitemap and check that nothing is accidentally hidden from search. If you're replacing an old site, redirect the old addresses to the new ones so you keep the rankings you've earned.
After Launch
SEO is never finished. Watch which searches bring people in, improve the pages that almost rank, and add new content that answers your customers' real questions.
What Doesn't Work
Buying links, copying text from other sites and repeating keywords. They don't work anymore, and they can hurt.
Need a Hand?
Technical SEO is built into every site we make. Get in touch if you'd like your site to be easier to find.
