SEO for your new website: the day-one checklist
Most websites are not found because a few basics were skipped at launch. That is a pity, because SEO is easiest at the start: you do not have to fix anything, just set it up well. In this checklist you see what to arrange from day one, why it works and how to get it done in an afternoon.
How Google reads your website
A search engine does three things. It finds your pages through links and your sitemap, it understands what each page is about from titles, headings and text, and it judges which page gives the best answer to a search. Everything in this checklist helps with one of those three steps.
From search to visitor
The day-one checklist
Tick these off before you go live
- A unique title per page
- A description per page
- One clear main heading (h1)
- Logical subheadings
- Readable addresses
- A sitemap
- A fast, mobile site
- Images with a description
- Internal links between pages
- A secure connection (https)
- Business details consistent everywhere
- Content that answers a real question
1. A unique title per page
The title is what Google shows as the blue link. Put the most important word first and make every title unique. A good format: service or product, place or differentiator, brand name. For example: "Bike repair in Utrecht, fixed within a day | Fietsbaas". Keep it short enough not to be cut off.
2. A description that invites
The description sits below the title in search results. It does not directly set your position, but it does decide whether people click. Say in one or two sentences what someone finds on the page and why it is worth it.
3. One main heading and logical subheadings
Every page has exactly one main heading saying what the page is about. Below it you split the text with subheadings, just like this article. That helps readers scan and helps Google understand the structure.
4. Readable addresses
An address like /services/bike-repair says more than /page?id=382. Choose short addresses with words, and preferably do not change them after launch. If you must, make sure the old address redirects.
5. A sitemap
A sitemap is a list of all your pages, made for search engines. That way Google misses no page, even one with few links yet. Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console and you also see which pages are already indexed.
6. Speed and mobile
Most visitors arrive on their phone. A slow or awkward mobile site costs you visitors and rankings. Use images of a reasonable size, avoid unnecessary heavy scripts and check your site on your own phone.
7. Images with a description
Give images a descriptive file name and an alt text saying what is on them. That helps people using a screen reader and helps you get found in Google Images.
SEO handled from the first page.Titles, descriptions, readable addresses and a sitemap come standard with your NerrieBuilder site.
Build your site →Content that gets found
Technology makes sure Google can read you. Content makes sure Google wants to show you. The question is always: what question does my customer have, and does this page answer it better than the rest?
Three kinds of pages that rank
One page per service or product group, with what it is, for whom and what it costs.
Working in a region? Name your town and service area clearly, on a page about exactly that.
Articles that answer your customers' questions, like this one. They attract visitors who are still searching.
Structured data
With structured data (schema.org) you tell search engines explicitly what is on a page: a business, a product, an article or a list of frequently asked questions. That can earn you a richer listing in search results. The articles on this blog have it built in per article, for example.
Internal links
Link from your copy to other relevant pages on your site. That helps visitors and search engines find their way and shows which pages matter. Selling online? Also read our step-by-step webshop plan.
After launch: measure and improve
The first three months
- Week 1Submit your sitemap in Google Search Console and check that your pages get indexed.
- Month 1See which keywords already get impressions and improve the titles of those pages.
- Month 2Write one or two articles about questions customers often ask you.
- Month 3Compare your statistics: which pages attract visitors and which bring customers?
SEO is not a one-off job, but it does not have to be a daily task either. An hour a month of checking and improving pays off over time. With the visitor statistics in NerrieBuilder you see, without cookies, which pages get viewed.
A strong basis from the right start
Starting with a well-built site means most of the work is already done. An AI website builder that includes SEO from the ground up saves a lot of time; read what to look for in choosing an AI website builder. Working with several languages? Then a good multilingual setup matters extra for your findability.
Frequently asked questions
How long before my site shows up in Google?
A new site is often indexed within a few days to weeks. Submitting a sitemap in Google Search Console helps. Building good rankings takes longer and depends on the competition for your keywords.
Should I use keywords in every sentence?
No. Write for people. Use the main word in the title, the main heading and naturally in the text. Repeating it too often reads badly and does not help.
What is Google Search Console?
A free Google service showing which searches your site appears for, which pages are indexed and whether there are problems. Essential for every site.
Does a blog help my SEO?
Yes, if you write articles that answer real questions from your customers. Those pages attract visitors who are still orienting, and you can link them to your services or products.
Does NerrieBuilder handle technical SEO?
The basics, yes: titles and descriptions per page, readable addresses, a sitemap, https and fast pages. The content that convinces your customers is where you and the AI make the difference.