1️⃣ Meta Tags: Your First Impression on Google

Meta tags may seem like old-school SEO, but they still play a key role in click-through rates (CTR) and rankings.

✅ Title Tag Best Practices

• Keep it under 60 characters (Google truncates longer titles).
• Include your primary keyword naturally.
• Make it click-worthy, not just keyword-stuffed. Example:
  
  • ❌ Bad: "Best Running Shoes 2025 | Running Shoes | Buy Running Shoes"
  • ✅ Good: "Best Running Shoes for 2025: Comfort & Performance Tested"

✅ Meta Description Tips

• Keep it under 160 characters to avoid truncation.
• Make it compelling and include a call to action (CTA).
• Use your primary keyword once, but write for humans, not bots.
• Include key unique selling points which will encourage the searcher to click on your listing.

Example:
"Discover the best running shoes for 2025, tested for comfort & speed. Read our expert reviews and find your perfect fit today!"

2️⃣ Headings: Structure Matters for SEO & Readability

Google and users scan headings to understand a page’s topic. Proper use of H1, H2, and H3 tags makes your content easier to read, navigate, and rank. 

🔹 H1 (Main Heading) – This is your main title. Each page should have only one H1 that clearly describes the topic.

🔹 H2 (Subheadings) – Break content into sections. Think of these as chapter titles in a book.

🔹 H3 (Supporting Subheadings) – Use these to further organise sections.

🚀 Example of Proper Heading Structure:

H1: Best Running Shoes for 2025

• H2: How to Choose the Right Running Shoe
  
  • H3: Cushioning & Support
  • H3: Weight & Durability
• H2: Top Running Shoes of the Year
  
  • H3: Best for Speed
  • H3: Best for Trail Running

Using logical headings improves SEO and makes content more engaging for readers.

3️⃣ Content Must Be User-Focused (Forget Keyword Stuffing)

In 2025, Google’s AI understands user intent, meaning quality and relevance matter more than exact-match keywords.

🔹 Answer User Questions – Think like your audience. If they search “how to lose weight fast,” they expect practical tips, not a history of dieting.

🔹 Use Natural Language – Instead of forcing keywords, write naturally. Example:

• ❌ Bad: “Best running shoes 2025 are the best running shoes in 2025.”
• ✅ Good: “Looking for the best running shoes in 2025? We tested top models for comfort, speed, and durability.”

🔹 Keep it Engaging – Break up text with:

• Bullet points & numbered lists ✅
• Short paragraphs ✅
• Bold & italic formatting for emphasis ✅

4️⃣ Internal Linking: Boost SEO & Keep Users Engaged

Internal links connect your website’s content, helping both users and search engines navigate better.

✅ How to Use Internal Links Effectively:

• Link to relevant pages naturally (don’t force it).
• Use descriptive anchor text instead of “click here.”
• Example:
  
  • ❌ Bad: “Click here to read about SEO tips.”
  • ✅ Good: “Read our SEO tips for 2025 to stay ahead.”

💡 Bonus Tip: A strong internal linking strategy can reduce bounce rate and increase time on site—both important SEO factors!

5️⃣ Semantic SEO: Rank for More Keywords

Google now understands context, so related keywords help rankings. This is called semantic SEO.

🔹 How to Optimise for Semantic Search

✅ Use related phrases (e.g., instead of repeating “best coffee,” also use “top-rated espresso” and “high-quality beans”).
✅ Answer related questions (e.g., include a FAQ section with common queries).
✅ Use structured data (Schema Markup) to help Google understand your content better.

By focusing on natural, topic-rich content, you can rank for multiple variations of a search query instead of just one keyword.

6️⃣ Page Speed & UX: Critical for SEO in 2025

Google rewards fast-loading, mobile-friendly websites. If your site is slow or clunky, rankings will suffer.

✅ Improve Page Speed:

• Use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify speed issues.
• Compress images with TinyPNG or ShortPixel.
• Enable browser caching & minify code.

✅ Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly:

• Test with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
• Ensure text is readable & buttons are easy to tap.

🚀 A fast, user-friendly site improves SEO and keeps visitors engaged.

🚀 Conclusion

On-page SEO is still the foundation of search success in 2025. While AI, backlinks, and TikTok SEO are important, if your pages aren’t optimised, you won’t rank well.

Here’s your on-page SEO checklist for 2025:
✅ Write compelling meta titles & descriptions
✅ Structure content with H1, H2, and H3 tags
✅ Create engaging, user-focused content
✅ Build a strong internal linking strategy
✅ Use semantic SEO to rank for more searches
✅ Improve page speed & mobile experience

By following these strategies, you’ll improve rankings, drive more traffic, and keep users engaged.

This guide is written by Hedgehog, a ‘Done With You’ digital marketing consultancy specialising in small and medium businesses in Australia. We offer digital marketing consulting, coaching, and training.

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