The SEO checklist for new founders: A step-by-step to boost your website

Starting a new business is exciting, but if your website isn’t optimized for search engines, potential customers might never find you. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) might sound technical, but as a founder, there are straightforward steps you can take to set a strong foundation. Here’s a comprehensive SEO checklist for new founders.

1. Foundation: website & technical setup

Before creating content, make sure your website is ready for both users and search engines.

• Domain & Branding: Choose a memorable domain name that reflects your brand. A strong brand identity helps people remember you and improves credibility.
• HTTPS: Secure your site with SSL. Google favors secure websites, and it reassures visitors.
• Mobile-Friendly: Over half of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Test your website using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Tool.
• Fast Loading: Page speed affects both user experience and rankings. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights and compress images.
• Google Search Console & Analytics: Connect your website to track traffic, monitor performance, and identify SEO issues.
• XML Sitemap & Robots.txt: Make sure search engines can crawl your site efficiently. These files guide Google on which pages to index.

2. Keyword research

Keywords help search engines understand what your website is about and match it to the right audience.

• Identify Primary Keywords: Focus on the terms your target customers are searching for.
• Include Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer, more specific phrases (3-5 words) that attract highly interested visitors.
• Use Free Tools: Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or AnswerThePublic can help you discover relevant keywords.

3. On-page SEO

On-page SEO ensures your website content is optimized for both search engines and visitors.

• Title Tags: Make them descriptive and include your main keywords (keep under 60 characters).
• Meta Descriptions: Summarize page content in 150–160 characters, including keywords.
• Headings (H1, H2, H3): Structure content logically so it’s easy to read.
• Content: Focus on creating valuable, original content that your audience wants.
• URLs: Keep them short, readable, and keyword-rich (e.g., /marketing-automation).
• Alt Text for Images: Describe images for accessibility and SEO benefits.

4. Content strategy

Maybe the most important ! Content is the backbone of SEO. A strong content strategy attracts visitors and builds authority.

• Start a Blog or Resource Section: Educate your audience with helpful information.
• Solve Customer Problems: Focus on the challenges your customers face and how your product or service solves them.
• Internal Linking: Link related content and pages within your site to improve navigation and SEO.
• Update Regularly: Fresh content keeps your site relevant for both visitors and search engines.

5. Off-page SEO & authority

SEO isn’t just about your own website. Building authority externally helps you rank higher.

• Google Business Profile: If your business has a local presence, this helps you show up in local searches.
• Backlinks: Earn mentions from credible websites, blogs, and press outlets to boost authority.
• Social Sharing: Share content on LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms to increase visibility.
• Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses for content or features.

6. Technical & advanced checks

Once the basics are in place, focus on technical SEO to give your site a competitive edge.

• Structured Data / Schema: Helps search engines understand your pages and improves rich snippets.
• Canonical URLs: Prevent duplicate content issues.
• 404 & Redirects: Ensure broken links are fixed or redirected to maintain SEO value.
• Core Web Vitals: Google values user experience metrics like page speed, interactivity, and visual stability.

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Look at the infographic below for the recap :

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