Good on-page SEO is mostly good editing. This template works for guides, service pages and articles, and it keeps both people and machines oriented.
The template
- Title tag: primary topic first, a clear benefit or qualifier, around 50 to 60 characters.
- H1: one per page, matching the main intent in natural words.
- Opening answer: two or three sentences that answer the main question immediately.
- Table of contents: for long pages, with anchor links to each section.
- H2 sections: one question or sub-topic each, with the answer first and detail after.
- Evidence: data, examples, screenshots or steps that prove the answer.
- Internal links: to the next logical page, using descriptive anchor text.
- FAQ: only for real, recurring questions, written in plain language.
- Author and date: a named author and an honest last-updated date.
Write the meta description for humans
It does not directly affect rankings, but it affects clicks. Summarize what the reader will get in under about 155 characters and use the words they searched.
Images and media
Use descriptive file names and alt text that explains the image, compress everything, and set dimensions to avoid layout shift.
Before you publish
- Does the first screen answer the question?
- Could each H2 section stand alone if quoted?
- Is there something here a competitor page does not offer?
- Are the internal links natural and useful?
Pages that pass those four questions usually perform, whether the visitor arrives from a classic result or an AI-generated answer.