Your WordPress website may look great, but can people find it on Google? Wrong settings, slow pages or missing content can hurt search visibility. This WordPress SEO Checklist helps UK businesses find and fix common SEO issues. You’ll learn what to check, where to find each setting and what to fix.
The WordPress SEO Checklist covers WordPress settings, technical SEO, page content and local search. It also explains which tasks need more than an SEO plugin.
Check Your Essential WordPress SEO Settings
Before working on keywords or content, check your basic WordPress setup. Some settings can affect whether Google finds your pages at all.
1. Check Search Engine Visibility
WordPress has a setting that can ask search engines not to index your website. Go to Settings > Reading in your WordPress dashboard. Find Discourage search engines from indexing this site and make sure it is unchecked. This setting can sometimes remain enabled after a new website goes live. If that happens, search engines may be asked not to index your pages.
Unchecking it does not guarantee indexing. Individual pages may still have settings that keep them out of Google.
2. Review Your WordPress Permalinks
Permalinks are the web addresses of your pages and posts. Clear URLs help users understand what each page covers. Open Settings > Permalinks. For a new website, Post name is often a good choice. For example:
example.co.uk/roof-repairs/
is clearer than:
example.co.uk/?p=123
If your website already has live pages, do not change its URL structure without a plan. Existing links may stop working unless you add the right redirects. When a URL changes, use a permanent 301 redirect where appropriate. Update internal links to point directly to the new address.
3. Set Up One WordPress SEO Plugin
Plugins such as Yoast SEO, Rank Math and All in One SEO help manage basic SEO settings. Choose one main SEO plugin. Running several together may create conflicting titles, indexing rules or sitemaps. Make sure your plugin can manage:
- page titles;
- meta descriptions;
- XML sitemaps;
- indexing rules.
You do not need every feature enabled. For help comparing features, see our planned guide, Yoast vs Rank Math vs All in One SEO: What Actually Matters?
4. Review Category and Tag Archives
WordPress creates archive pages for categories and tags. Some help visitors find related content. Others contain little useful information or repeat existing pages. Review your SEO plugin’s archive settings. Keep useful category pages indexable. For thin or duplicate archives, consider using noindex. Do not remove useful pages simply because an SEO tool flags them.
Check Your WordPress Technical SEO
Technical checks are an important part of any WordPress SEO Checklist. They help search engines find and understand your site while reducing errors for visitors.
5. Check HTTPS and Website Redirects
Your WordPress website should use HTTPS across its important pages. Open your homepage and several service pages. Check for:
- browser security warnings;
- resources failing to load;
- HTTP pages that do not redirect;
- duplicate www and non-www versions.
HTTP addresses should redirect to the preferred HTTPS version. This helps search engines and visitors reach the correct page.
6. Check Your XML Sitemap
An XML sitemap lists URLs you want search engines to discover. WordPress can generate one, while SEO plugins may create their own. Common addresses include:
example.co.uk/wp-sitemap.xml
And:
example.co.uk/sitemap_index.xml
Open your sitemap and review the URLs. It should normally contain your preferred, indexable pages. Where possible, remove:
- deleted URLs;
- redirected URLs;
- unwanted noindex pages.
Submit the sitemap through Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. A sitemap helps search engines discover pages. It does not guarantee indexing.
7. Check Indexing and Canonical URLs
A WordPress page can be live without appearing in Google. Possible causes include:
- crawl problems;
- indexing rules;
- broken pages;
- duplicate URLs;
- incorrect canonicals.
Use URL Inspection in Google Search Console on important pages. A canonical tag tells Google which URL you prefer when similar versions exist. For example, a service page should not accidentally point to the homepage as its canonical. A unique service page will usually need its own canonical URL. Google treats canonicals as signals, so it may still select another version.
Our planned guide, Canonical URLs Explained for WordPress and Service Websites, covers more complex cases. After fixing a problem, inspect the page again and monitor its status.
8. Improve WordPress Speed and Core Web Vitals
Page speed is another important part of this WordPress SEO Checklist. Heavy themes, large images and unnecessary scripts can slow WordPress websites. Test important pages using PageSpeed Insights. Google’s Core Web Vitals cover three main areas:
| Metric | What it measures | Good target |
| LCP | Main content loading speed | 2.5 seconds or less |
| INP | Page responsiveness | 200 milliseconds or less |
| CLS | Visual layout movement | 0.1 or less |
These are Google’s good-experience thresholds. They do not guarantee higher rankings. Start with issues shown in your test results. You may need to:
- reduce image sizes;
- remove unused scripts;
- improve caching.
A caching plugin can help, but do not enable every option at once. Test forms, menus and layouts after changes. Our planned guide, How to Improve WordPress Core Web Vitals Without Breaking the Site, covers safer speed improvements. If problems remain, a technical SEO review can help identify the cause.
9. Test Your WordPress Website on Mobile
Google mainly uses the mobile version of your website for indexing. Open your main pages on a phone. Check that:
- text is readable;
- buttons are easy to tap;
- headings remain visible;
- service details are available;
- images load properly;
- links work;
- forms and booking buttons function.
Visitors should not need a computer to contact your business.
Improve Your WordPress On-Page SEO
The on-page part of your WordPress SEO Checklist should help users understand each page clearly. Titles, headings, content, images and internal links all matter.
10. Write Clear SEO Titles and Meta Descriptions
Each important page needs a title that clearly describes its topic or service. For example: Emergency Plumbing Services in Croydon is clearer than: Our Services Use the main keyword where it reads naturally. Do not repeat phrases simply to satisfy an SEO plugin. Write a unique meta description that summarises the page and gives people a reason to visit.
Google does not set fixed character limits for titles or descriptions. Keep them concise because Google may shorten or rewrite them.
11. Check Headings and Page Content
Use one clear H1 for the page’s main topic. Then organise supporting sections with H2 and H3 headings. For a service page, explain:
- what you offer;
- who needs it;
- how the service works;
- what customers should do next.
Answer useful questions before visitors enquire. Each page should have a clear purpose. Two pages targeting the same search intent may compete with each other. A useful page does not need to be long. It needs to answer the topic properly without repetition.
12. Improve Image Names and Alt Text
Images can show your work and explain useful details. Use descriptive filenames. For example:
roof-repair-croydon.webp
is clearer than:
IMG1234.webp
Add alt text to meaningful images so screen-reader users can understand them. For example: Roofer replacing damaged tiles on a pitched roof Avoid adding unnecessary keywords to every image description. Decorative images can use empty alt text.
13. Add Relevant Internal Links
Internal links connect pages across your website. They help visitors find useful information and help search engines discover related pages. A blog about roof leaks might link to a roof-repair service page. Use descriptive anchor text rather than vague wording such as click here. As part of your WordPress SEO Checklist, review important service pages and make sure users can reach them through clear navigation and relevant links.
Check Local SEO for Your UK Business
Local SEO matters when customers search for services in specific areas. Your WordPress SEO Checklist should confirm that your website clearly explains where you work and what you offer.
14. Review Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile can help eligible local businesses appear across Search and Maps. Check:
- business name;
- primary category;
- phone number;
- website;
- opening hours.
Use accurate details that match the real business. Do not add unnecessary location keywords to your business name. If you visit customers instead of serving them at your address, follow Google’s service-area rules. You may need to hide the address from your public profile.
15. Check Your Business Contact Details
Visitors should find your contact information easily. Add your real phone number and suitable contact details to your WordPress contact page. Businesses with a public customer location can show their genuine address. Service-area businesses should explain their coverage without publishing a private home address. Keep these details updated when business information changes.
16. Review Service and Location Pages
If you serve several UK areas, decide whether each location genuinely needs its own page. A plumber serving Camden and Islington might use separate pages when each provides useful local information. Location pages should contain:
- relevant services;
- genuine local information;
- useful customer answers.
Do not create near-identical pages that only replace one town name with another. Google may treat such pages as doorway spam when they exist mainly to capture similar searches. Make every page useful on its own.
17. Check Local Business Schema
Schema markup provides structured information about your business. For an eligible local business, LocalBusiness schema may include:
- business name;
- phone number;
- public address;
- opening hours.
Your SEO plugin may already generate this markup. Check existing settings before adding another schema tool. Use Google’s Rich Results Test to review supported structured data. The information should match your website and genuine business details. Schema can help Google understand a page, but it does not guarantee rankings.
What WordPress SEO Plugins Cannot Fix
A complete WordPress SEO Checklist goes beyond plugin scores. SEO plugins manage settings, but they cannot plan your entire strategy. A plugin may show a green score even when a page targets the wrong search or fails to meet customer needs.
| SEO plugin settings | Strategic SEO work |
| Edit title tags | Choose the right search terms |
| Generate sitemaps | Decide which pages need indexing |
| Set canonical tags | Plan the right page structure |
| Suggest keyword use | Match content to search intent |
| Add schema markup | Build trust through real business details |
Consider an electrician working in Hammersmith. Their SEO plugin may show green scores across every page, yet customers searching for electrical testing still cannot find the business. The website may simply lack a useful page for that service. Changing plugin settings will not solve that gap. The plugin manages technical options. SEO strategy decides what the website needs to achieve.
How to Run a WordPress SEO Audit
Once you complete this WordPress SEO Checklist, decide which problems need attention first. Start with pages that generate enquiries or support important services. Use Search Console to identify:
- indexing problems;
- falling clicks;
- changing search queries.
Use this priority guide:
| Priority | Issue | Next step |
| High | Key pages are not indexed | Find and fix the cause |
| High | Important service pages return errors | Restore or redirect them |
| High | Missing content for key services | Improve the relevant page |
| Medium | Poor mobile use or slow loading | Fix the main problems |
| Medium | Weak internal links or titles | Improve clarity and access |
| Lower | Minor plugin warnings | Review their real impact |
The correct order depends on your website. A broken enquiry form may need urgent attention even when an SEO plugin does not flag it. Record:
- the issue;
- required action;
- responsible person.
Test the page again after making changes. Do not rewrite a page that already performs well just because a plugin asks for more keywords.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a WordPress SEO Checklist?
A WordPress SEO Checklist is a structured list of checks covering WordPress settings, technical SEO, content, internal links and local search visibility.
Is WordPress Good for SEO?
Yes. WordPress lets you manage SEO settings, content and website structure. Good results still depend on useful content and a sound technical setup.
Can I Improve WordPress SEO Without Coding?
Yes. You can edit titles, add internal links and improve content without coding. Some speed and indexing problems may need technical support.
How Often Should I Use a WordPress SEO Checklist?
Review important pages after major website changes. A full WordPress SEO Checklist every three to six months can be a useful starting point for many small businesses.
Why Is My WordPress Site Not Ranking on Google?
It may have indexing problems, missing content or strong competition. Check Search Console and review the affected pages before making changes.
Need Help With Your WordPress SEO?
Some WordPress SEO problems are simple to fix. Others need a closer review of your settings, pages and search data. Wixdek helps UK businesses identify these issues and plan suitable improvements. Explore our WordPress SEO services to discuss your website and what needs attention. Request an SEO Audit
