WordPress Page-by-Page SEO Checklist
This simple SEO checklist is designed to assist in simple, on-page SEO using WordPress and Yoast SEO for WordPress. Prior to starting work, it’s recommended you have separate images for Twitter, Facebook and the Post / Page Featured Image.
Minimum Recommended Image Sizes
- Twitter: 1024px x 512px
- Facebook / Open Graph: 1200px x 630px
- Featured: 800px x 800px
Handy Shortcut Keys
- Select All: Ctrl + A
- Undo: Ctrl + Z
- Cut: Ctrl + X
- Copy: Ctrl + C
- Paste: Ctrl + V
Content / Text Information
- Set a focus keyword
- Copy and paraphrase the first two sentences (or up to 1 paragraph) of text-based content from the content body
- Paste (Ctrl + V) the paraphrased text into the Excerpt
- Paste (Ctrl + V) the paraphrased text into the Twitter and Facebook Description fields
- Paste (Ctrl + V) the paraphrased text into the Meta Description area (may need further trimming)
SEO Page Title
- If the SEO Page Title is one or two words, feel free to expand
- If the SEO Page Title is too long, feel free to paraphrase
- For contact pages, add the phone number (eg, Contact PSD to Final on 1300 551 549) to the SEO Page Title, Twitter Title and Facebook Tile
Images
If there is a featured image that is larger than 200px x 200px:
- Add the Featured Image to the Open Graph / Facebook image image field
- Add the Featured Image to the Twitter Image field
If there is a featured image that is smaller than 200px x 200px:
- Add the default Open Graph or Facebook image to the Facebook image field
- Add the default Twitter Card Image to the Twitter Image field
If no featured image exists for the page being updated:
- Add / select a featured image (middle, right-hand column)
- Add the default Open Graph or Facebook image to the Facebook image field
- Add the default Twitter Card Image to the Twitter Image field
Additional Image SEO
Where a featured image does not have an existing description:
- Copy the SEO Title into memory
- Click on the featured image
- Add the SEO Title as the Title, Alt, and Description
If there are images in the body of content that do not have an existing description:
- Copy the SEO Title into memory
- Click the image block, or edit image button
- Set the Title and Alt Image Text to the SEO Title
Skipping / Unindexing
If the page you’re editing contains nothing but a utility shortcode (eg, WooCommerce Cart, WooCommerce Checkout), it’s best to remove this page from the search index structure of the site.
In the Yoast SEO box on the Page / Post / Product admin screen, click the Settings Cog, and set Meta Robots Index to noindex.