Beginner-friendly SEO tips to help your content get found—naturally

Use this checklist to make sure you’re placing your keywords in all the right spots across your website. Each one helps search engines understand your content better and gently boosts your chances of appearing in search results.

This checklist accompanies the video ‘How To Use Keywords Naturally On Your Website’.  Click HERE to access the video.

Page Title

Include your primary/focus keyword in the title of each page or blog post.
This tells both readers and search engines what your page is about. Try to keep it clear and focused rather than clever or vague. A good title helps the right people click through.

First Paragraph

Use your keyword naturally within the first few lines of content.
This sets the tone early and confirms the topic of your post. Just write as if you’re explaining the idea to a friend—your keyword should fit in without needing to force it.

Headings (H2, H3)

Incorporate your keyword or variations into subheadings.
This helps break up your content and shows search engines how your post is structured. It also makes things easier for your reader to scan and understand.

Meta Description

Write a short summary of the page that includes your keyword.
The meta description is the  little snippet that appears under your post title in Google search. Think of it like the back cover of a book—it should tempt someone to click and reassure them they’re in the right place. Plugins like RankMath or Yoast can guide you.

 Image Alt Text

Describe the image using relevant keywords when appropriate.
Alt text helps with accessibility (for people using screen readers), and it also gives search engines clues about your content. Just describe what’s in the image naturally—don’t force a keyword in if it doesn’t fit.

URL Slug

Keep it short and keyword-focused.
The URL should match your page’s topic—for example:
yoursite.com/stay-focused-online is far better than yoursite.com/post-24.
This also makes your links look tidier when shared.

Internal Links

Use keyword-rich anchor text to link to other posts or pages.
For example, instead of saying “click here,” say “read my post on choosing a blog niche.” This gives readers context and helps search engines understand how your content connects.

Gently repeat or reinforce your keyword near the end of your post.
A soft reminder at the end ties everything together. Don’t force it—just wrap up your post in a way that feels complete and helpful.

You don’t have to be perfect with this.
Search engines are smart enough to understand context these days. Focus on being clear and useful, and your keyword use will feel natural—not robotic. Add a little care, a bit of structure, and your content will shine.