With 93% of online experiences beginning with a search engine(Source: Search Engine Journal), SEO is an essential lever for SMEs wishing to increase their visibility and attract more customers. A well-optimized site not only improves Google’s ranking but also attracts qualified, sustainable traffic without relying solely on paid advertising.
The aim of this checklist is to enable SMEs to easily improve their SEO with 10 concrete actions, accessible even without advanced technical expertise.
Table of content
SEO checklist: 10 key steps for SMEs
1. Check site speed
A fast site improves the user experience and reduces the bounce rate. Too long a loading time can lose up to 50% of visitors.
Tool to use: Google PageSpeed Insights
Objective: A score above 90 on mobile and desktop.
2. Optimizing Title & Meta Description tags
Title and Meta Description tags are essential for on-page SEO. They must be unique, attractive and contain the main keywords.
Best practices
- Title: 50-60 characters, main keyword at beginning.
- Meta Description: 150-160 characters, inciting and descriptive.
- Use action verbs to increase click-through rates.
Tool to use: SERP Simulator
3. A well-organized Hn structure
H1, H2, H3 tags… help Google to understand content and improve readability for visitors.
Best practices
- Only 1 H1 per page (main title).
- H2 for main subtitles.
- H3 and H4 to structure content.
- Include keywords in titles in a natural way.
4. Improve the mobile experience
Google favours mobile-friendly sites in its results. A non-mobile-friendly site risks losing more than 60% of potential traffic.
Best practices
- Responsive design
- Easy-to-click buttons and links
- Content readable without zoom
5. Optimize images
Poorly optimized images slow down the site and harm SEO.
Actions to be taken
- Compress images without loss of quality with TinyPNG, Squoosh or Image Optim.
- Use WebP format to reduce image size
- Add descriptive ALT tags to improve accessibility and SEO.
6. Work on internal linking
Internal meshing improves SEO by reinforcing the site’s architecture and facilitating page indexing.
Best practices
- Add 3 to 5 internal links per page.
- Link important pages together (services, blog, contact).
- Use optimized link anchors (no “click here”).
7. Publish quality content regularly
A frequently updated site with relevant content is more likely to rank well.
Best practices
- Publish at least 1 blog post per month.
- Write long, detailed content (800+ words).
- Use rich semantics and secondary keywords.
8. Get quality backlinks
Backlinks are one of the most important factors in Google rankings.
Effective strategies
- Listing in local and specialized directories.
- Guest articles on partner sites.
- Ask customers/suppliers to link to your site.
Tool to use: Ahrefs Backlink Checker
9. Optimize Google My Business listing (if a local business)
70% of consumers consult a Google listing before buying a local product or service(Source: BrightLocal). A well-optimized listing increases local visibility.
Best practices
- Add recent, high-quality photos.
- Complete all information (schedules, services, website, etc.).
- Publish regular posts and respond to customer reviews.
Tool to use: Google Business Profile
10. Track SEO performance
Analyzing your results allows you to adjust your strategy and continually improve your SEO.
Essential tools
- Google Search Console: Ranking and indexing analysis.
- Google Analytics: Traffic and conversion tracking.
- Ubersuggest: Keyword suggestions and position tracking.
Implement these 10 actions today
SEO may seem technical, but with a methodical approach, it’s possible to significantly improve visibility.
Ready to optimize your website?
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