# On Page SEO Checklist for New WordPress Sites: A 90-Day Template Pack for Ecommerce Brands

# Boost Your Ecommerce Brand’s Visibility with a Proven 90-Day On Page SEO Template Pack

As an ecommerce brand launching on WordPress, you want to ensure your online presence is optimized for maximum visibility and conversion. But where do you start? With so much competition online, it can be overwhelming to navigate the world of search engine optimization (SEO) alone. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive 90-day On Page SEO Checklist template pack specifically designed for new WordPress sites. In this guide, you’ll learn how to apply actionable tips and best practices to your ecommerce website in just 3 months, resulting in improved topical authority, increased traffic, and ultimately, more sales.

1. Setting Up a Strong Foundation

When it comes to on-page SEO, setting up a strong foundation is crucial for any WordPress site. In the first step of our 90-day template pack for ecommerce brands, we’ll focus on establishing a solid base that will support your search engine rankings and drive traffic to your site.

Keyword Research

Before you start building your site, it’s essential to conduct keyword research to identify relevant terms and phrases that your target audience uses. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find high-volume keywords related to your ecommerce niche. For example, if your brand sells outdoor gear, you might target keywords like “hiking boots” or “camping tents”.

Choosing a Relevant Domain Name

Your domain name is the first impression visitors will get of your site. Make sure it includes relevant keywords and is easy to remember. For instance, instead of using a generic “outdoorgear.com”, opt for something more specific like “hikershoppe.com”. This will help search engines understand your brand’s niche and improve your chances of ranking.

Setting Up Meta Tags and Titles

Meta tags are crucial for SEO as they provide essential information about each page to search engines. Set up meta titles, descriptions, and keywords for each page, including product pages, category pages, and the homepage. Keep your title tags concise, descriptive, and no more than 60 characters.

Writing Compelling Product Descriptions

Product descriptions are not just for marketing purposes; they also play a significant role in SEO. Write detailed, high-quality descriptions that include relevant keywords, specifications, and features of each product. Aim for at least 150-200 words per description.

Optimizing Images and Videos

Optimized images can significantly improve your site’s crawlability and user experience. Use descriptive file names, alt tags, and compress images to reduce file size without sacrificing quality. For videos, add transcripts, descriptions, and closed captions to enhance accessibility and SEO value.

Mobile-Friendliness and Page Speed

Ensure that your WordPress site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly (less than 3 seconds). Test your site using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Fix any page speed issues by optimizing images, minifying code, and leveraging browser caching.

By following these steps in the first 90 days of your new ecommerce WordPress site, you’ll lay a solid foundation for on-page SEO that will help drive traffic, increase conversions, and establish your brand as an authority in the industry.

2. Optimize Your Website Structure

A well-structured website is crucial for improving your website’s crawlability, user experience, and search engine rankings. Ecommerce brands should focus on optimizing their website structure to ensure that both humans and search engines can easily navigate through the site.

1. Use a Clear and Concise Navigation Menu

Your navigation menu should be easy to understand and use. Make sure it is:

* Simple and concise

* Mobile-friendly

* Clearly labeled with descriptive text

* Organized in a logical order (e.g., categories, brands, products)

For example, an ideal navigation menu for an ecommerce brand might look like this:

“`markdown

[Home](https://example.com)

[Categories](https://example.com/categories)

* [Men’s Clothing](https://example.com/categories/mens-clothing)

* [Shirts](https://example.com/categories/mens-clothing/shirts)

* [Pants](https://example.com/categories/mens-clothing/pants)

[Brands](https://example.com/brands)

* [Nike](https://example.com/brands/nike)

* [Adidas](https://example.com/brands/adidas)

[Products](https://example.com/products)

* [New Arrivals](https://example.com/products/new-arrivals)

“`

2. Use a Logical and Consistent Site Hierarchy

Your site hierarchy should be logical and consistent, making it easy for search engines to understand the structure of your website.

* Identify key pages (e.g., home, products, about) and prioritize them

* Use clear and descriptive URLs that match your content (e.g., `https://example.com/products/shirts`)

* Avoid over-optimizing your URL structure with unnecessary keywords or characters

3. Utilize Header Tags for Content Organization

Header tags (H1, H2, H3) help organize content and highlight key points on your page.

* Use H1 headers for main titles and focus pages

* Use H2 headers to break up long blocks of text and emphasize subheadings

* Avoid overusing header tags or using them as a primary link building strategy

4. Ensure Fast Page Load Times

Fast page load times are essential for providing a good user experience and improving search engine rankings.

* Optimize images and compress files to reduce file size

* Enable browser caching to store frequently-used resources locally

* Use a content delivery network (CDN) to distribute assets across multiple servers

By implementing these website structure optimization techniques, ecommerce brands can improve their website’s crawlability, user experience, and search engine rankings, setting them up for success on the web.

3. Keyword Research and Planning

To establish a solid foundation for your ecommerce brand’s WordPress site, it’s essential to conduct thorough keyword research and planning. This step will help you identify relevant keywords, phrases, and topics that align with your brand’s products and services.

Step 1: Identify Your Target Audience

Begin by understanding who your target audience is. What are their pain points, interests, and search queries? Create buyer personas to help you visualize your ideal customer. For example:

* Name: Emma

* Age: 25-45

* Location: Urban areas See Optimizing Internal Linking A Comprehensive for a related tactic.

* Interests: Fashion, beauty, wellness

* Pain points: Affordable yet high-quality products, fast shipping, easy returns

Step 2: Brainstorm Keywords and Phrases

Using your target audience’s characteristics, brainstorm a list of relevant keywords and phrases. Consider the following:

* Product-related keywords (e.g., “women’s boots”, “skincare sets”)

* Brand-specific keywords (e.g., “[Brand Name]”, “[Product Name]”)

* Long-tail keywords (e.g., “affordable fashion boots for women over 30”)

* Seasonal and timely keywords (e.g., “summer dresses”, “holiday gifts”)

Example: For an ecommerce brand selling outdoor gear, some possible keyword phrases could be:

* “hiking shoes”

* “camping equipment”

* “outdoor clothing for men”

* “backpacking tips”

Step 3: Analyze Competitor Keywords

Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze your competitors’ websites and identify gaps in their keyword strategy. Look at their top-performing content, meta tags, and header tags.

Example: For an ecommerce brand selling women’s fashion, analyze a competitor’s website that consistently ranks for keywords related to “plus-size clothing” and identify opportunities to create similar content.

Step 4: Plan Your Keyword Strategy

Based on your research, plan your keyword strategy. Decide which keywords and phrases you’ll target, and how many pages you’ll optimize for each one. Use a keyword clustering approach to group related keywords together.

Example: For an ecommerce brand selling outdoor gear, create a cluster of keywords related to “hiking” and prioritize content optimization for those keywords on the website’s main product page.

Step 5: Create a Keyword Map

Create a keyword map to visualize your research findings. This will help you identify patterns, relationships, and gaps in your keyword strategy. Use a spreadsheet or tool like Google Data Studio to create an interactive map.

Example: For an ecommerce brand selling women’s fashion, create a keyword map showing the intersections between different keywords and phrases, such as “plus-size clothing”, “fashion trends”, and “women’s style”.

4. High-Quality Content Creation

High-quality content creation is a crucial component of an on-page SEO strategy, especially for ecommerce brands looking to build topical authority in 90 days. A well-crafted content plan can help establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry, increase organic traffic, and drive conversions.

Keyword Research and Planning

1. **Identify relevant keywords**: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify high-traffic keywords related to your ecommerce niche.

2. **Analyze competition**: Analyze the competition for each keyword using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to determine the best keyword strategy.

3. **Create a keyword plan**: Develop a comprehensive keyword plan that outlines the target keywords, content formats (blog posts, product descriptions, etc.), and content distribution channels.

Content Creation Guidelines

1. **Write high-quality, engaging content**: Focus on creating well-researched, informative, and entertaining content that resonates with your target audience.

2. **Use attention-grabbing headlines**: Craft headlines that accurately reflect the content and entice readers to click through (target keyword density: 1-2%).

3. **Optimize content for readability**: Use short paragraphs, concise sentences, and a conversational tone to improve user experience and readability.

Content Formats

1. **Blog posts**: Create high-quality blog posts that explore topics relevant to your ecommerce niche.

2. **Product descriptions**: Optimize product descriptions with targeted keywords to enhance search engine rankings and conversions.

3. **Guest blogging**: Write guest posts for other reputable sites in your industry to build backlinks and establish authority.

Content Distribution Channels

1. **SEO-optimized meta tags**: Ensure that your blog posts, product pages, and other content have optimized meta titles, descriptions, and keywords.

2. **Schema markup**: Add schema markup to your website to enhance search engine understanding of your content.

3. **Social media promotion**: Share your content on social media platforms to expand your reach and drive organic traffic.

Content Calendar Planning

1. **Plan content in advance**: Create a content calendar that outlines the types of content, posting schedules, and distribution channels for each month.

2. **Prioritize evergreen content**: Focus on creating high-quality, evergreen content that remains relevant over time, rather than rapidly changing trends.

By following these guidelines and implementing a comprehensive content strategy, ecommerce brands can create high-quality content that drives traffic, builds topical authority, and fuels long-term success.

5. Image Optimization and Alt Tags

Optimizing images on your ecommerce website is crucial for improving page load times, enhancing user experience, and increasing search engine rankings. Here’s a checklist to optimize your images and create effective alt tags:

* **Image File Size**: Compress image files to reduce their size while maintaining quality. Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to achieve this.

* **File Naming**: Use descriptive file names that include the target keyword for each image. For example, “product-123.jpg” instead of “image1.jpg”.

* **Alt Tags**: Write descriptive alt tags that accurately describe the image content and include the target keyword. Alt tags should be 125 characters or less.

Example:

“`markdown

“`

In this example, the alt tag includes the target keyword “Nike Dri-FIT Running Shorts” which can help with search engine rankings.

* **Image Descriptions**: Write brief descriptions of your images that include the target keyword. This will also improve accessibility for users with visual impairments.

* **Image Compressibility**: Ensure that all image files are compressible to prevent slow load times. Use tools like ImageCompressor or ShortPixel to achieve this.

* ** alt Tag Variations**: Create variations of alt tags for different image versions (e.g., product images, lifestyle images). This will help with search engine rankings and user experience. See Leveraging AI for WordPress SEO for a related tactic.

By optimizing your images and creating effective alt tags, you can improve your ecommerce website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and increase conversions.

6. Mobile-Friendliness and Page Speed

As an ecommerce brand, it’s crucial to ensure that your online store is optimized for mobile devices. With the majority of mobile users accessing websites via their smartphones or tablets, a non-mobile friendly website can lead to a poor user experience, resulting in increased bounce rates and decreased conversions.

**Mobile-Friendliness:**

1. **Test for responsiveness:** Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to ensure that your website is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes.

2. **Check for touch targets:** Ensure that all interactive elements on your website, such as buttons and form fields, are large enough to be easily tapped on a mobile device.

3. **Test for page content:** Verify that essential information, such as product descriptions and calls-to-action, is readily available on each page.

Example: Take a close look at Shopify’s website – it’s highly optimized for mobile devices with clear, large typography and touch-friendly interactive elements.

**Page Speed:**

1. **Use a page speed test tool:** Tools like Pingdom, GTmetrix, or WebPageTest can help identify areas for improvement on your website.

2. **Optimize images:** Compressing images to reduce file size can significantly improve page load times. Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to achieve this.

3. **Enable browser caching:** Allow browsers to cache frequently-used resources, such as CSS and JavaScript files, to reduce the need for repeated requests.

Example: According to Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool, Shopify’s website scores an 86/100 – that’s above average! For ecommerce sites, aiming for a score of 70+ is considered excellent.

7. Local SEO and Google MyBusiness Integration

Local SEO is a crucial aspect of on-page optimization, especially for ecommerce brands targeting specific geographic regions. By leveraging local SEO strategies, you can improve your site’s visibility in local search results, drive more foot traffic to your physical store locations, and establish your brand as an authority in your region.

To optimize your WordPress site for local SEO, follow these steps:

1. Claim Your Google My Business Listing

Ensure that all of your business locations are listed on Google My Business (GMB). This will help you manage your online presence and improve your local search visibility.

* Go to google.com/business and sign in with your Gmail account.

* Click “Add a new location” and enter the name, address, phone number, and category for each business location.

* Verify your listing by following the instructions provided on the GMB website.

2. Optimize Your Business Name and Description

Your business name and description should accurately reflect your brand identity and services. Ensure that they are consistent across all platforms, including your WordPress site, social media profiles, and Google My Business listings.

* Use a clear and concise title for each business location.

* Write a compelling and keyword-rich description that highlights your products or services.

3. Add Local-Specific Keywords

Incorporate local-specific keywords into your website’s content to signal to search engines that you serve a specific geographic region.

* Identify relevant local keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs.

* Incorporate these keywords strategically throughout your site’s content, such as in page titles, meta descriptions, and headings.

4. Use Schema Markup for Reviews

Schema markup can help search engines understand your business’s reviews and ratings. This is particularly important for local SEO, where reviews can significantly impact your visibility.

* Install a schema markup plugin like Schema.org or WP Schema.

* Customize the schema markup to include review fields and rating systems.

* Regularly update and monitor your review content to maintain high ratings.

5. Create High-Quality Local Content

Developing local-specific content can help you establish authority in your region and attract more organic traffic. Focus on creating engaging, informative, and keyword-rich content that speaks to your target audience’s interests and needs.

* Develop blog posts, guides, or videos that address specific local topics or concerns.

* Use attention-grabbing headlines, compelling summaries, and detailed content to capture readers’ interest.

* Regularly publish new content to maintain a high level of relevance and freshness.

Part 8: Internal Linking Strategy for Ecommerce Sites

In the first 30 days of your WordPress site launch, it’s essential to establish a strong internal linking strategy. This will not only help search engines understand your site’s structure but also enhance user experience and navigation.

Understanding Your Site’s Architecture

Begin by creating anitemap (using plugins like AIOSEO or Yoast SEO) that represents the hierarchical organization of your site’s pages and categories. Identify key areas where internal linking can be applied, such as:

* Product category pages linked to individual product pages

* Blog posts linked to relevant product categories

* About Us page linked to staff profiles

* FAQ sections linked to relevant product information

Using Header Tags for Organized Linking

Organize your internal links using header tags (H1, H2, H3) on relevant pages. This will help search engines understand the context and structure of your content.

For example:

“`markdown

# Product Category: Men’s Watches

Sub-Category 1

* [Link to specific product page](/product/watch-model-123)

* [Link to another product page](/product/watch-model-456)

# Blog Posts

“Top 5 Features of Smartwatches”

[Read full article](/blog/smartwatch-features)

“`

Using Anchor Text for Natural Linking

Use descriptive anchor text (not just generic “Click Here”) when linking to other pages. This will not only improve user experience but also help search engines understand the context of your links.

For instance: See Implementing Content Governance Policy for for a related tactic.

“`markdown

“This feature is available on select models, including Watch Model 123.”

# Menu Links

[Shop by Category](/shop-by-category)

“`

Analyzing and Adjusting

Monitor your site’s internal linking strategy using analytics tools like Google Search Console or SEMrush. Identify areas that need improvement, such as:

* Low-quality or irrelevant links

* Broken links

* Over-reliance on anchor text optimization

Adjust your approach accordingly to maintain a natural and user-friendly link structure.

By implementing these internal linking strategies in the first 30 days of your WordPress site launch, you’ll set yourself up for success and establish a strong foundation for building topical authority in 90 days.

Part 9: Technical On Page SEO Audits for Ecommerce Brands

Performing technical on page SEO audits is crucial to identify and fix crawl errors, slow loading times, and other technical issues that can hinder your ecommerce brand’s visibility in search engines. Here are some essential technical on page SEO audits to perform:

1. **Crawl Errors**: Check Google Search Console for crawl errors and address them promptly.

“`

* Log in to Google Search Console and navigate to the Crawler section.

* Review the error log and fix issues such as missing or duplicate titles, meta descriptions, and canonical URLs.

“`

2. **Mobile-Friendliness**: Ensure that your site is mobile-friendly, as this is now a key ranking factor.

“`

* Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check your site’s responsiveness.

* Update your site’s theme or add mobile-specific CSS to improve the user experience.

“`

3. **Page Speed Optimization**: Optimize images, compress files, and enable browser caching to improve loading times.

“`

* Use Google PageSpeed Insights to analyze your site’s performance and identify areas for improvement.

* Install a plugin like WP Rocket or Autoptimize to optimize images and compress files.

“`

4. **Canonical URLs**: Specify canonical URLs for duplicate content issues.

“`

* Check for duplicate content on your site using tools like Yoast SEO or SEMrush.

* Update your site’s `www` subdomain to avoid duplicate content issues.

“`

5. **SSL Encryption**: Ensure that your site has an SSL certificate to secure user data and trust signals.

“`

* Install an SSL certificate through Google Trust Services or another trusted provider.

* Update your site’s configuration to use HTTPS instead of HTTP.

“`

By performing these technical on page SEO audits, you can identify and fix issues that may be affecting your ecommerce brand’s visibility in search engines. This will help you build topical authority and drive more traffic to your site.

Final Takeaway

Congratulations! You’ve completed the 90-day on-page SEO checklist for your new WordPress site, specifically designed for ecommerce brands. By following this template pack, you’ve successfully:

* Conducted keyword research and identified relevant terms

* Optimized page titles, meta descriptions, and header tags

* Improved internal linking and URL structure

* Enhanced mobile-friendliness and page speed

* Created high-quality, keyword-rich content

To further boost your online presence, review the following action checklist bullets:

* Regularly monitor website performance and adjust as needed

* Stay up-to-date with the latest Google algorithm updates and adjust your strategy accordingly

* Continuously create new, engaging content to maintain topical authority

* Focus on building high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources See Balancing Freshness and Evergreen Coverage for a related tactic.

* Track analytics and adjust your SEO efforts based on data-driven insights

Internal SEO Links

• Optimizing Internal Linking A Comprehensive — Optimizing Internal Linking: A Comprehensive Guide for Small Bloggers
• Leveraging AI for WordPress SEO — Leveraging AI for WordPress SEO: A Case-Study Guide for SaaS Teams
• Implementing Content Governance Policy for — Implementing Content Governance Policy for AI-Assisted Sites: A Framework for Affiliate Bloggers
• Balancing Freshness and Evergreen Coverage — Balancing Freshness and Evergreen Coverage: A Checklist for Local Businesses
• When Short Content Beats Long — When Short Content Beats Long Content in SEO: A Step-by-Step Playbook for Beginners

This article was assisted by AI and reviewed for publishing workflow testing.