What Is On-Page SEO? The 10 Elements That Really Matter

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What Is On-Page SEO?

On-page SEO refers to everything you can optimize on your own website to improve your rankings in Google.
It’s the foundation of SEO — the part you control directly.

While off-page SEO (like backlinks) depends on others, on-page SEO is all about making your website as relevant, clear, and user-friendly as possible.

For businesses in Rotterdam, on-page SEO can be the difference between being buried on page 3 and getting consistent local leads from Google.

The 10 On-Page SEO Elements That Really Matter

Here’s a simple checklist you can use to make sure your website is optimized from the ground up.

1. Title Tag

Your page title is what appears at the top of Google results.
It should include your main keyword and, ideally, your location.

Example:
“Web Design Agency in Rotterdam | Zalm Partners”

Keep it under 60 characters and make sure every page has a unique title.

2. Meta Description

This short summary appears below your title in Google.
It doesn’t directly affect rankings, but it strongly impacts click-through rates.

Write it like a short ad: clear, relevant, and compelling — under 155 characters.

3. Headings (H1, H2, H3)

Headings organize your content for both readers and Google.
Your main keyword should appear in your H1, and subtopics should go under H2 and H3 tags.

4. URL Structure

URLs should be short, readable, and include keywords.

Example:
zalmpartners.nl/seo-rotterdam
zalmpartners.nl/page?id=1283

5. Content Quality

Your content should be clear, relevant, and genuinely helpful.
Google favors pages that answer questions, not just repeat keywords.

Tip: Write naturally and cover the topic in depth. The goal is to become the best result for your target query.

6. Keyword Placement

Use your primary keyword in:

  • The title
  • The first paragraph
  • At least one subheading
  • The meta description
  • Image alt text (only if the image is about this keyword. Don't do keyword stuffing.)

Avoid keyword stuffing — focus on clarity and readability.

7. Internal Links

Linking to other pages on your website helps Google understand how your content fits together.
It also keeps visitors on your site longer and improves crawl efficiency.

Example:
Link your “SEO Services” page to your “Free SEO Analysis” page.

8. Images and Alt Text

Every image should have an alt text — a short description of what the image shows.
This helps Google understand your visuals and improves accessibility.

Also, compress your images to make pages load faster.

9. Mobile Friendliness

More than half of searches happen on mobile.
If your site doesn’t look or function well on phones, your rankings will suffer.

Use responsive design and make sure buttons and text are easy to interact with on smaller screens.

10. Page Speed

Google favors fast websites.
If your site takes more than three seconds to load, you could be losing visitors — and ranking power.

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to measure and improve your speed.

Why On-Page SEO Matters

On-page SEO is what allows Google to clearly understand who you are, what you offer, and why you’re relevant.
It’s not about tricks — it’s about structure, clarity, and consistency.

For local businesses in Rotterdam, small changes like optimized headings or faster loading times can lead to a big increase in visibility and conversions.

Free On-Page SEO Audit

Want to see how your website performs on these 10 elements?
At Zalm Partners, we offer a free SEO analysis that checks your technical setup, on-page structure, and content quality.

We’ll identify the gaps, explain what to improve, and show you exactly how to climb higher in Google.

Request your free SEO analysis today, fill in the contact form, and share your website URL.

About Zalm Partners

Zalm Partners is a Rotterdam-based digital agency focused on web development, SEO, and AI-driven visibility.
We help businesses build fast, effective websites that perform in Google — and in the new era of AI-powered search.

SEO is a continuous process, and on-page optimization is where it all begins.
Our team combines technical precision with creative strategy to help your business stay ahead online.

Zalm Partners – Web Development & SEO in Rotterdam

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