1) Know Your Searcher (Fast Keyword Research)
- List your top services and locations (“web hosting Baltimore,” “managed WordPress support”).
- Gather “people also ask” ideas and related searches; turn them into FAQs.
- Prefer intent over volume: a low-volume query with buy intent beats a broad term with no intent.
2) On-Page SEO That Actually Matters
- Title tag: Clear value + primary keyword + brand (60–65 chars).
- H1: One per page. Match search intent, not just the keyword.
- Meta description: Compelling summary with a benefit and CTA.
- URL: short, readable: /web-hosting-baltimore/.
- Internal links: Link to related pages and tools (e.g., your calculators).
- Media: Compress images; add descriptive alt text.
Shortcut: If a paragraph doesn’t help a human make a decision, trim it. Clarity wins rankings and conversions.
3) Technical SEO (Bare Minimum That Moves the Needle)
- HTTPS everywhere with valid SSL.
- Mobile-first responsive design (test on real phones).
- Speed: compress images, enable GZIP/Brotli, cache assets, lazy-load media.
- Core Web Vitals: focus on LCP, INP, CLS—cut heavy JS and carousels.
- XML sitemap submitted in Search Console; robots.txt allows crawling.
- Fix 404s: add redirects for moved content.
4) Local SEO Essentials (If You Serve a Geographic Area)
- Google Business Profile: complete every field; add services, hours, photos; collect reviews.
- NAP consistency: Name, Address, Phone identical across site and directories.
- Location pages: unique content for each city/area—projects, testimonials, maps.
- Local schema: add LocalBusiness markup (address, phone, hours, sameAs profiles).
5) Content That Earns Clicks (and Links)
- Create decision tools (calculators, checklists, templates) people actually use.
- Answer cost, timeline, and “best vs budget” questions honestly.
- Refresh winners quarterly: update stats, screenshots, and FAQs.
6) Measure What Matters
- GA4 events: contact clicks, form submits, phone taps.
- Search Console: queries, coverage issues, page experience hints.
- Track rankings for 10–20 core terms; don’t obsess over daily swings.
Pro tip: Add internal CTAs to money pages. Every blog post should guide users to a relevant service or tool.
Fast SEO Checklist (Copy/Paste)
- Primary keyword in title, H1, first 100 words, and URL.
- One H1; logical H2/H3s; scannable bullets.
- Images compressed, descriptive alt text.
- Internal links to services, tools, and related posts.
- Mobile responsive; fast; no layout shift.
- Schema: Organization + relevant page type (Article, Product, LocalBusiness).
Related: Website Speed Optimization · Website Security Checklist · .htaccess Tricks
