On-Page SEO Checklist for New Business Websites

On-Page SEO Checklist for New Business Websites

ByTera Creations

Why On-Page SEO Matters for Kenyan Businesses

If you’re launching a new website in Kenya, getting found on Google should be a top priority. On-page SEO is the first step—it’s the process of optimizing individual pages on your website so they rank higher in search engines and bring in relevant traffic.

Unlike paid ads, good on-page SEO in Kenya helps your site generate free, long-term traffic from people actively searching for your products or services. To get started, here’s a checklist every Kenyan business owner should follow.

1. Use a Focus Keyword for Every Page

Every page or blog post should target one main keyword that matches what your audience is searching for. Use that keyword in:

  • The page title
  • The first paragraph
  • One or two subheadings (H2s or H3s)
  • The meta description
  • The URL (slug)
  • The image file name and alt text

For example, if you’re targeting web design services in Nairobi, your focus keyword might be “web design Nairobi.”

Need help with keyword selection? Start with our post on how to do keyword research for Kenyan search trends.

2. Write SEO-Friendly Page Titles

Your page title should be clear, include your keyword, and be no more than 60 characters. It should also tell users what they’ll get when they click.

Example:
✅ “Affordable Web Design Services in Kenya | Tera Creations”
❌ “Home” or “Welcome to Our Website”

3. Optimize Meta Descriptions

Meta descriptions appear under your page title in Google search results. They should be under 160 characters, include your keyword, and persuade people to click.

Meta descriptions don’t directly affect ranking, but they significantly improve click-through rates.

4. Structure Your Content Using Headings

Use H1 for the page title (only once), and organize your content using H2 and H3 headings. This helps users skim your content and helps search engines understand what the page is about.

Don’t forget to include keywords naturally in some of your headings. You can learn more about formatting and readability in our post on how to write SEO blog posts that actually rank.

5. Optimize Images for SEO

Images play a huge role in user experience, but they also impact SEO. Make sure to:

  • Rename image files to reflect the topic (e.g. web-design-nairobi.jpg)
  • Compress them to reduce file size
  • Add descriptive alt text that includes the keyword where relevant

6. Link Internally and Externally

Internal links connect your new content to older, relevant blog posts or service pages. This helps Google crawl your site more efficiently and keeps visitors engaged longer.

External links (to credible sources) show Google that you’re referencing trustworthy information. Just don’t overdo it—focus on quality, not quantity.

Check out how to optimize blog posts for search engines and readers to see examples of smart internal linking.

7. Use Short, Clean URLs

Your page slug (URL) should be short, lowercase, and include your main keyword.

Example:
✅ teracreations.com/seo-services-kenya
❌ teracreations.com/page-id=453?utm-source=promo

Avoid using stop words like “and,” “the,” or “with” unless they make the URL more readable.

8. Make Sure the Site Is Mobile-Friendly

Google ranks mobile-first, which means your mobile version is what gets indexed first. Ensure your design adjusts cleanly on all screen sizes, with clickable buttons, readable fonts, and no horizontal scrolling.

Read more in our blog on why mobile-first web design matters in Kenya.

9. Improve Page Speed

Slow websites frustrate users and hurt rankings. Use image compression, caching plugins, and minimal third-party scripts to improve speed.

Not sure where you stand? Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix can help you test and fix your performance.

10. Install an SEO Plugin (Like Yoast SEO)

If you’re using WordPress, a plugin like Yoast SEO makes it easier to handle all the basics: setting focus keywords, optimizing titles and meta descriptions, adding breadcrumbs, and more.

Want to go deeper? Read how to use RankMath to boost your blog’s SEO score—the same principles apply to Yoast.

Final Thoughts

On-page SEO in Kenya isn’t complicated—but it does require intentional setup, consistency, and a clear understanding of how users search online. The earlier you apply these principles to your new business website, the faster you’ll start ranking, attracting leads, and growing your digital presence.

At Tera Creations, we help Kenyan businesses build SEO-ready websites that rank fast and convert better. Want a website that’s built with visibility in mind from day one?

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