Webpage SEO Cheat Sheet

Every page on CedarCreek’s website should include:

  • Meta Title: 50–60 characters. Tell users and search engines what the page is about.
  • Meta Description: 140–160 characters. Summarize content to drive clicks.
  • Headings: One H1 per page. Use H2s/H3s for structure. Include keywords naturally.
  • URL Structure: Short, descriptive, lowercase, keyword-rich. Use hyphens, not underscores.
  • Images & Alt Text: Use descriptive filenames and contextual alt text. Compress for speed.
  • Internal Links: Link to at least 2 relevant CedarCreek pages.
  • External Links: Link to reputable sources when relevant.

SEO Title Source (Title Tags)

Purpose: Tell users and search engines what the page is about.

Meta titles are one of the most influential on-page ranking factors. They appear as the clickable link in search results and heavily influence both click-through rate and keyword relevance.

Checklist:

  • Length: 50–60 characters
  • Includes primary keyword near the start
  • Unique title for each page
  • Readable and natural-sounding
  • Avoid all caps or keyword stuffing
  • Use pipe (|) or dash (–) separators for structure

Example: “Exercises for Anxiety That Actually Help | CedarCreek”

SEO Description Source (Meta Descriptions)

Purpose: Encourage clicks from search results by summarizing content.

While meta descriptions are not a direct ranking factor, they strongly influence click-through rate (CTR), which indirectly supports performance.

Checklist:

  • Length: 140–160 characters
  • Includes primary keyword and call to action (CTA)
  • Describes value or benefit clearly
  • Uniqueforeach page

Example: “Feeling overwhelmed? Learn breathing exercises that actually help calm anxiety. Try a simple practice and find encouragement from CedarCreek today.”

Headings

Purpose: Organize content and communicate hierarchy.

Headings are crucial for accessibility and search understanding. They also help scanners quickly locate key points on the page.

Checklist:

  • Only one H1 per page (matches main topic or keyword)
  • UseH2sfor main sections, H3–H6 for subsections
  • Include keywords naturally in headings
  • Keep headings clear, concise, and relevant

Pro Tip: Write headings that summarize the takeaway of that section — not just label it. For example: “How to Calm Down When You Feel Overwhelmed” instead of “Tips.”

URL Structure

Purpose: Help users and search engines understand page content.

A clean, keyword-rich URL improves both rankings and user trust. It’s often overlooked but can be a strong signal of relevance.

Checklist:

  • Useshort,descriptive URLs
  • Include primary keyword
  • Usehyphens(-) to separate words, not underscores
  • Keep consistent lowercase format
  • Avoiddatesor unnecessary parameters
    • Example: /anxiety-help/ not /resources?id=123

Pro Tip: Avoid changing URLs once live unless necessary, changes can reduce ranking stability.

Images & Alt Text

Purpose: Improve accessibility and help Google understand images.

Search engines can’t “see” images — they rely on filenames, alt text, and surrounding copy to understand visuals.

Checklist:

  • Usedescriptivefile names
  • Add alt text describing the image contextually
  • Include keywords naturally (avoid stuffing)
  • Compress images for fast load speed

 Pro Tip: Alt text should describe the image’s purpose in the content, not just what’s physically shown. (Great for search engines and AI Search)

Internal & External Links

Purpose: Improve navigation and authority.

Internal links help search engines understand site structure and distribute ranking power. External links add credibility.

Checklist:

  • Add internal links to relevant CedarCreek pages
  • Link to reputable external sources when relevant
  • Ensure all links work and open in the right context

Pro Tip: Each new page should link to at least two existing CedarCreek pages, and ideally, be linked from one as well.

Technical SEO Basics

Purpose: Ensure technical setup supports SEO best practices.

These elements are often managed by developers or marketing ops but should be verified during content upload.

Checklist:

  • Page is mobile-friendly and responsive
  • HTTPS is active and functioning
  • No duplicate content (canonical tags used if needed)
  • Page speed optimized (Core Web Vitals)
  • Schema markup applied where relevant (e.g., FAǪ, Service)
  • No broken links or missing resources

Summary: SEO Cheat Sheet Sections

 

Section Why It’s Important
Meta Titles Key ranking factor; defines page topic and boosts click-through rate.
Meta Descriptions Drives clicks by summarizing value and encouraging engagement.
Headings (H1–H6) Organizes content and helps search engines understand structure.
URL Structure Improves clarity, user trust, and keyword visibility.
Images & Alt Text Enhances accessibility, page speed, and image SEO.
Internal & External Links Strengthens site authority and user navigation.
Content Formatting & Readability Keeps readers engaged and content easy to scan.
Technical SEO Basics Ensures pages meet core SEO and performance standards.
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