On-Page SEO Checklist for Wellness Blogs
Use this plain-English checklist each time you publish a blog.
It is short, repeatable, and designed for practitioners who write in between client work.
Before you work through the checklist, make sure your posts can be found. Download my free guide: ‘5 Google Search Secrets No SEO Agency Will Tell You’ and fix the essentials first.
Quick start: copy this checklist
Descriptive title that matches the page
One H1, sensible H2s
Short, readable URL
Helpful internal links
Descriptive images and alt text
Concise meta description
One clear topic and search intent
Avoid duplicates and set a canonical if needed
Publish and re-link from older posts
Each step is explained below with examples.
1) Titles that earn the click
Make the title accurate, concise and unique to the page. Avoid keyword stuffing. Keep business or location info only if it helps the reader decide.
Google may rewrite titles, but a good SEO title and a matching H1 help you influence what shows.
Good
'Perimenopause sleep tips that actually help'
Needs work
'Perimenopause | Sleep | Nutritional Therapist | London | Support'
2) Headings that guide the reader
Use one H1 for the page topic, then H2s and H3s for structure. Headings should describe what follows, not tease. This helps readers and search engines understand the page.
Tip: If a section is more than 300–400 words, consider another subheading to keep it skimmable.
3) URL slugs that are short and readable
Use lowercase words separated by hyphens. Keep it short and descriptive, and avoid dates unless truly needed.
Good
/blog/perimenopause-sleep-tips
Needs work
/blog/PeriSleep_Tips_Final_2025_v3
4) Internal links that help humans first
Link naturally to related pages. Use descriptive anchor text that tells people where they will land.
Point at one primary service page where relevant, plus 1–2 related blogs.
Add a link from at least one older, relevant post to your new article so the new page is easier to discover.
Link examples
'Perimenopause nutrition consultations' rather than 'click here'
'Perimenopause sleep tips' when linking to your related blog
5) Images and alt text that add value
Use relevant, high-quality images with descriptive filenames. Keep file sizes sensible.
Write alt text that explains the image in context, not a string of keywords.
Good alt text
'Bedside table with herbal tea, eye mask and notebook, illustrating a calming bedtime routine for perimenopause sleep'
Needs work
'perimenopause sleep tips nutritionist London'
6) Meta description that earns attention
Write a short, accurate summary that helps a searcher choose your result.
Think of it as a helpful pitch in plain English. A gentle call to action can improve relevance for users.
Example
'Waking in the night during perimenopause? Try practical sleep tips, a one-minute checklist and a printable wind-down routine.'
7) Content quality you can feel
Match a single search intent. Give practical steps, examples and clear language. Clarity and usefulness beat tricks.
If a paragraph feels fluffy, replace it with a concrete example or a short list.
8) Publish checks
If you have similar posts, keep one lead version and link between them with a 301 redirect so the preferred URL is clear.
After publishing, add at least one internal link from an older, related post, and one from a relevant service page.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
Clever title that hides the topic
Fix: make the problem and outcome obvious in plain language.Messy slug
Fix: short, hyphenated words only.No internal links
Fix: add two links out and one link in. Use descriptive anchors.Alt text stuffed with keywords
Fix: describe the image for a human first.Duplicate posts on near-identical topics
Fix: choose one and consolidate.
One-page checklist you can reuse
Title is clear, unique, aligned with content.
One H1, descriptive H2s.
Short, hyphenated slug.
2–3 helpful internal links with descriptive anchors, plus at least one link to this post from an older page.
Descriptive filenames and alt text written for humans.
Helpful meta description that summarises the page.
Avoid duplicates. Don’t publish the same article twice. If you already have a similar page, keep the best one and redirect the other to it
Next steps (choose your path)
DIY with support: Download Google Search Secrets and start making quick improvements today.
Done‑with‑you: My SEO Blueprint gives you a focused keyword strategy, on‑page fixes, and a 3–6 month content plan tailored to your niche.
Done‑for‑you / ongoing: If you’d like to hire me as your marketing department, I can create a retainer tailored to your business goals - content creation, on‑page SEO, and monthly optimisation handled for you. [Get in touch to chat about a personalised retainer].
Or, if you’re in research mode, browse more articles on my blog - you’ll find practical, step‑by‑step guides for wellness practitioners who want sustainable growth.
If you’ve found this blog helpful, you might like to read these popular titles:
7 SXO Tips to Boost SEO and Get More Wellness Clients
The Benefits of Adding SEO to Your Health Website: Insights from a Specialist
Sam Ferguson is a website designer and SEO specialist for nutritionists, functional medicine practitioners, and women in wellness. With a unique blend of industry insight and technical expertise, Sam helps clients create impactful websites that attract, engage, and convert. When she’s not designing, you’ll find her sharing practical digital marketing tips to help wellness professionals grow their online presence with confidence.