Ask questions like this to multiple AIs at once

Try free

How do I start ON page SEO as I am beginner to this field?

Here is a beginner-friendly, step-by-step roadmap to start On-Page SEO today. I've organized this so you can actually act on it immediately, not just read theory.

Phase 1: Your Foundation (Do This First)

Before optimizing, you need visibility into what’s happening.

  1. Install Google Search Console (GSC)
    Go to search.google.com/search-console → Add your property → Verify via DNS or HTML tag.
    This shows you what keywords you already rank for and where your pages appear.

  2. Run a Free Audit
    Use UberSuggest, SEMrush (free trial), or Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free) to scan your site. Look for:

    • Missing title tags/meta descriptions
    • Broken images
    • Slow pages (Core Web Vitals)

Goal: Fix any "Critical Errors" before creating new content.

Phase 2: The Core On-Page Elements (The Checklist)

For every page you optimize, work through this list in order:

1. Keyword Placement (The "Where")

Don’t just write about a topic; tell Google exactly what it’s about.

  • URL: Keep it short. Include your main keyword.
    Good: yoursite.com/blue-running-shoes
    Bad: yoursite.com/products/item?id=29384&cat=shoes
  • Title Tag (HTML <title>): This is the blue link in Google results.
    Formula: Primary Keyword | Brand Name
    Example: "Beginner On-Page SEO Guide | YourSite"
    Limit: 50-60 characters.
  • H1 Tag: The main headline on the page. Use one H1 per page. Include your keyword naturally.
  • First 100 Words: Mention your primary keyword (or a close variation) in the very first paragraph. Google weighs early content heavily.

2. Content Structure (Headers & Readability)

Break up text so users (and Google) can scan it.

  • Hierarchy: Use H1 → H2 → H3. Don't skip levels.
  • H2s as "Content Buckets": Treat H2s like questions your reader is asking.
    Example: If your keyword is "vegan protein," H2s could be: "Best Vegan Protein Sources," "How Much Protein Do Vegans Need?"
  • Keyword Variations (LSI/NLP): Use synonyms and related terms naturally. If your keyword is "running shoes," also use "jogging sneakers," "athletic footwear," "trail runners."

3. Meta Description (The "Ad Copy")

This doesn’t directly affect rankings, but affects click-through rate (CTR).

  • Length: 150-160 characters.
  • Include: Primary keyword + a clear benefit/CTA.
    Example: "Learn on-page SEO from scratch. Our step-by-step guide covers keywords, headers, and technical fixes for beginners. Start ranking today!"

4. Image Optimization (Often Forgotten)

  • File Name: Rename IMG_9932.jpg to blue-nike-running-shoes.jpg before uploading.
  • Alt Text: Describe the image for visually impaired users and Google. Include keyword if natural.
    Example: "Blue Nike running shoes on a trail path"
  • Compress: Use TinyPNG or ShortPixel so images load fast (under 100KB ideally).

5. Internal Linking (Connect Your Content)

  • Contextual Links: When writing a new post, link to 2-3 older relevant posts on your site using descriptive anchor text.
    Bad: "Click here to read more."
    Good: "Learn more about technical SEO fundamentals."
  • Orphan Pages: Ensure every important page has at least one other page linking to it.

Phase 3: Technical On-Page (Quick Wins)

  • Mobile-Friendliness: Test your page at search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly. If it fails, fix your theme/template before doing anything else.
  • Page Speed: Check your URL at pagespeed.web.dev. If it’s slow:
    • Compress images (see above).
    • Enable browser caching (use a plugin like WP Rocket if on WordPress).
  • Schema Markup (Structured Data): Add basic schema to help Google understand your content type. Start with Article schema for blog posts or Product schema for e-commerce. Use Google's Structured Data Markup Helper.

Your First Week Action Plan

Don’t try to do everything at once. Do this:

  • Day 1: Set up Google Search Console. Identify your top 5 most visited pages.
  • Day 2: Optimize the Title Tags and H1s for those 5 pages.
  • Day 3: Rewrite the first paragraph of those 5 pages to include your target keyword naturally.
  • Day 4: Add internal links between those 5 pages.
  • Day 5: Audit images on those pages; rename and compress them.
  • Day 6: Write optimized Meta Descriptions for those 5 pages.
  • Day 7: Check page speed on mobile and fix one slow-loading element.

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Keyword Stuffing: Don't repeat "best coffee maker best coffee maker best coffee maker." Use it once naturally in the title, once in H1, and 2-3 times in the body for a 1,000-word article.
  2. Ignoring Search Intent: If someone searches "how to boil eggs," they want a recipe/steps, not a history of egg cooking. Match the content format to what Google already shows on page 1.
  3. Blocking Robots: Check that you don't have a "noindex" tag on pages you want to rank (common in WordPress if "Discourage search engines" is accidentally checked).

Recommended Free/Cheap Tools to Start

  • Keywords Everywhere (Browser Extension): Shows search volume and related keywords as you browse Google.
  • AnswerThePublic: Find questions people ask about your topic (great for H2 headers).
  • Yoast SEO or Rank Math (WordPress): These plugins give you a green/red light system for basic on-page optimization.

To give you more specific next steps, could you tell me:

  1. What type of website are you working on? (e.g., a blog, a local service business, an e-commerce store, a portfolio?)
  2. What platform is it built on? (WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, or custom code?)
  3. Do you have a specific page or keyword you're trying to rank for right now, or are you starting from zero?

This will help me tailor the technical steps (like which plugins to use or how to edit your specific template) and the content strategy to your exact situation.

Skill
Ask AI anything — try it free!

People also asked

What are the SEO basics that a beginner should learn?How do beginners learn SEO for free?