Launching a website without an SEO checklist is like opening a shop without a sign. Before your site goes live — or before you spend another pound promoting an existing one — work through this checklist. Every item below is something we verify on every SEO friendly website design project we ship.
Technical foundations
- HTTPS everywhere. No exceptions — browsers flag non-secure sites and Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal.
- Mobile-first layout. Test on a real phone, not just a resized browser window.
- Fast load times. Aim for under two seconds on a 4G connection. Compress images, minify assets, use caching.
- XML sitemap. Submitted to Google Search Console so every page is discoverable.
- Sensible robots.txt. Allow what matters, block admin and staging areas.
- Canonical URLs. One definitive address per page, no duplicate versions.
On every page
- A unique title tag under 60 characters with the main keyword near the front.
- A compelling meta description under 155 characters that earns the click.
- Exactly one H1, followed by a logical H2/H3 hierarchy.
- Clean URLs — short, lowercase, hyphenated, no file extensions or parameters.
- Descriptive alt text on every meaningful image.
- At least two or three relevant internal links.
Structured data
Schema markup tells Google exactly what your business is. At minimum, add LocalBusiness schema with your address, opening hours and service area, BreadcrumbList on every page, and FAQPage wherever you answer questions. It is one of the highest-effort-to-reward jobs in technical SEO.
Content and trust
- Every service you offer has its own dedicated page.
- Your name, address and phone number are consistent everywhere they appear.
- Contact details are visible without scrolling on mobile.
- A real person could understand what you do within five seconds of landing.
If you tick everything on this list, you are already ahead of most small business websites in the UK. The checklist is not the finish line — it is the starting grid.
Want it done for you?
Our checklist audit package runs all twenty checks, fixes what fails and hands you a report in plain English. Or ask for a free quote and we will build the whole thing correctly from day one.
