12 On-Page SEO Factors List You Can’t Ignore for Better Search Rankings in 2024

On-page SEO is all about tweaking different parts of your website to make it easier for search engines to read, understand, and rank your pages when someone searches for relevant topics.

Sure, off-page stuff like backlinks and brand mentions are important, but getting the on-page elements right sets a solid foundation for better visibility in search results.

It’s not just about the content either. Things like how fast your site loads, whether it’s mobile-friendly, and even how your URLs are set up, all play a role in showing search engines your page is relevant and worth ranking.

On-page SEO factors are important because:

• It helps search engines discover your pages and display them to users.
• Better rankings mean more clicks and traffic. 
• Higher rankings make your brand seem more trustworthy.
• It allows you to create content that connects with your audience.
• It sets the stage for other SEO efforts like link building.

In this guide, we’ll cover 12 most important on-page SEO factors list, including E-E-A-T, keyword use, HTML tags, and site structure.

What are On Page SEO Factors?

On-page SEO factors refer to the elements on your website that you can control and optimize to improve search engine rankings. These include things like content, title tags, URLs, internal linking, and site speed. By fine-tuning these factors, you help search engines better understand your content, making it easier for them to rank your site for relevant queries.

Suggested Read: What is the Difference Between On-Page and Off-Page SEO?

12 Most Important On-Page SEO Factors

Here are 12 on-page seo ranking factors that you must know if you want to improve your rankings.

1. E-E-A-T elements

Google uses E-E-A-T to help decide how valuable your site is. E-E-A-T stands for experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

In Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines, they look at how well a site shows off real-life experience, expert knowledge, and trustworthiness—both from the website and its writers.

The “experience” part was added recently, showing that Google wants content from people who’ve been there and done that. This matters a lot for topics like health, money, or safety—where the stakes are high (what they call YMYL, or Your Money or Your Life).

Although Google hasn’t laid out all the E-E-A-T rules, things like author expertise, authority on the topic, and transparency are known to be key. Real-world experience is now a big deal in how they judge content.

2. Keywords

When creating content, it’s important to use the keywords that are words and phrases your customers are searching for. But with AI and natural language processing evolving, it’s no longer just about focusing on individual keywords.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Related phrases and topics (entities): If you run a fitness blog, related topics could be workout routines, nutrition plans, strength training, and recovery tips.
• Context and intent: A search for “beginner workout” might mean they’re looking for easy exercises, a weekly plan, or even tips on avoiding injuries.
• Thorough answers: You might want to include sections on warm-ups, diet, and progress tracking to fully guide your readers.

Use keyword tools to discover other relevant terms like “home workout,” “fat loss,” or “muscle gain” to add depth to your content.

Suggested Read: How Many Keywords to Use for SEO: A Perfect Guide for 2024

3. Content Relevancy

Content relevancy is how well your content answers a search query and aligns with the intent behind it.

For on-page SEO, relevance is a key factor.

While it’s similar to content quality, content relevancy focuses on whether your content directly addresses what users are searching for.

There’s a common belief that longer content boosts rankings, but that’s not always the case. In the past, writing more was often seen as the way to climb the rankings. Nowadays, content creators understand that dividing information and offering highly targeted content is more effective for improving search visibility.

Relevant content meets your audience’s needs, gives them exactly what they’re searching for, and offers in-depth answers so they don’t need to look elsewhere.

Here are some simple rules for content relevancy:

• Don’t try to cover too much on one page.
• Focus on addressing specific needs with detailed information on one topic.
• Keep your content timely and update evergreen content regularly.
• Stick to your niche—publish content that fits your expertise. For example, if you’re a pet food company, don’t post advice on human nutrition.
• Make sure titles, headings, text, and media (like images or videos) match the topic.

4. Content Freshness

For fast-changing topics, it’s key to keep your content fresh and adapt as you learn more about your audience.

Google likes it when sites stay updated rather than letting things get old or irrelevant.

Here are some tips:

• Regularly refresh your content with new insights or perspectives.
• Quickly correct any outdated or inaccurate info.
• Add new sections to cover topics your audience is starting to care about.
• Think about offering downloadable content or updates for those frequently revisiting your site.

5. Title Tag

One of the most important parts of on-page SEO is the title tag. This is the clickable headline that shows up in search results.

Both search engines and users use this to figure out if your page is relevant.

If you want your pages to rank higher, you’ll need to optimize your title tags. Here are some tips to make them more click-worthy:

• Include your main keyword: To help search engines understand your page, use your main keyword in the title tag. Try to place it near the front so it’s easy to spot for both search engines and readers.
• Stick to the character limit: Keep your title tag under 60 characters. This prevents it from getting cut off in search results and makes sure users see the full title.
• Make it descriptive: Avoid vague titles like “Best Laptops.” Instead, go for something like “Top 5 Budget Laptops for Students in 2024,” which gives users a clear idea of what they’ll find on your page.

Another example: Instead of using a title like “Smartphones,” try something more specific like “10 Best Smartphones for Photography Lovers in 2024.” This tells both search engines and users exactly what your page offers.

6. Meta Description

An experienced SEO pro might be shaking their head, thinking, “Everyone knows meta descriptions don’t impact rankings.” They’re partly right—there’s plenty of proof that meta descriptions aren’t a direct ranking factor. But not everyone knows that.

However, that doesn’t mean you should skip adding them.

Even though they don’t directly boost SEO, meta descriptions offer two major perks:

• They help Google get a clearer idea of what your page covers.
• They can greatly influence your click-through rates (CTR).

A well-written meta description gives searchers a clearer picture of your content, leading to more clicks. So, don’t overlook them!

7. URL Structure

One of the often overlooked SEO ranking factors is your URL structure. A well-structured URL gives search engines important context about your page, helping you rank higher in search results. Here’s an example of a poor URL structure:

www.example.com/asd123/x9-34lfjs

This doesn’t give search engines or users any idea of what your page is about.

Now, here’s an example of a good, optimized URL:

www.example.com/healthy-living/fitness/beginner-workout-routines

This clear URL gives search engines the necessary context and helps users know what to expect. Optimized URLs like this improve your on-page SEO and can contribute to better search rankings.

Another example:

Bad URL: www.example.com/abc/xyz09876
Optimized URL: www.example.com/home-decor/modern-living-room-ideas

8. Image Optimization

This one’s important—not just for Google image search, but because search results are becoming more visual, especially on mobile. Here’s how to optimize images for SEO:

• Use alt text: This is how Google “sees” your images. Keep it short and descriptive, and include your keyword. Alt text also helps make your site accessible for visually impaired users and shows if the image doesn’t load.
• Compress and resize: Tools like TinyPNG are great for keeping image file sizes between 70-100KB. Save images as JPG instead of PNG when possible, and keep them under 1,000px wide. The fewer server requests, the faster your page loads.
• Make images useful: Skip generic stock images and use things like screenshots, charts, or illustrations that add value. This keeps readers interested and enhances your content.
• Include keywords: Add the keyword not just in the alt text, but in the file name too. Replace spaces with dashes so your CMS doesn’t turn them into “%20,” which can make your image link look messy.

9. Geotagging for Local Search

Even though the world feels more connected, most business still happens at a local level. To reach your nearby customers, you need to focus on optimizing your local SEO.

Here are three key tactics for driving local traffic:

• Make sure your listings and citations are accurate—this means your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and business description should all be consistent. Don’t forget to encourage reviews.
• Create local-focused content, like “near me” searches or location-based info. You can also consider buying a local blog or website.
• Build links with local businesses, organizations, or community websites.

Additional local SEO tips:

• Use local schema markup for business listings, events, and promotions.
• Keep your Google Business Profile up to date with current info, photos, posts, and relevant content.
• Take advantage of proximity and geolocation for mobile searches.
• Create dedicated location pages or hubs for each area you serve.

For example:

• A bakery could have a page showcasing their locally sourced ingredients.
• A home repair business might feature pages dedicated to each town or neighborhood they serve.
• A clothing store might highlight items available for same-day local pickup.

Another example:

• A dentist’s office could have location-specific content about dental services offered in different areas.

10. Mobile-Friendliness

Next up for on-page ranking factors is mobile-friendliness. With Google’s move to a mobile-first index, how well your site works on mobile devices now impacts your search rankings. If you want to climb higher in the results, having a mobile-friendly site is a must.

The key to this is using responsive design. This allows your website to adjust to whatever device someone’s using, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. The site automatically fits the screen, giving users a seamless experience.

A mobile-friendly site not only boosts your user experience but also helps your business show up better in search results.

11. Site Speed

Did you know that 83% of users expect a website to load in three seconds or less? People won’t stick around if your site takes too long to load. That’s why Google factors in your page’s load speed when ranking it in search results.

To check and improve your site’s speed, use Google PageSpeed Insights. This tool shows you how fast your site currently loads and gives tips for speeding it up, such as:

• Cutting down on redirects
• Enabling browser caching
• Compressing image files
• Reducing HTTP requests

If you’re not comfortable tweaking your site’s backend, you can always hire a professional or freelancer to help boost your page speed.

12. Site Security

The last on-page SEO factor to cover is site security. When people browse or shop on your site, they expect their information to be safe. No one wants to share personal details if they feel it’s not protected.

Because security affects user trust and engagement, Google considers it an important ranking factor. To secure your site, you’ll need to switch from HTTP to HTTPS by getting a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. This ensures any sensitive data shared by users is encrypted and protected.

You’ll know your site is secure when “HTTPS” appears in the URL and a padlock icon shows up next to it.

Need Help Optimizing for These On-Page Ranking Factors?

If you want your website to rank better in search results, optimizing for key on-page SEO factors is essential. However, if you’re unsure where to start or how to fine-tune your site for these elements, hiring a freelance SEO expert can make all the difference.

At KonKer, you can connect with experienced SEO professionals who can help you boost your website’s performance, from improving load times to optimizing title tags and URLs. With the right SEO expert on your team, you’ll see faster results, better rankings, and more traffic without the hassle of doing it all yourself.

Conclusion

Incorporating these 12 on-page SEO ranking factors is key to boosting your website’s visibility and improving search rankings. By focusing on elements like mobile-friendliness, content relevance, page speed, and site security, you’ll not only create a better experience for your visitors but also meet the expectations of search engines.

While some factors may seem small, they all work together to help your site rank higher. Take the time to optimize your pages, and you’ll see the long-term benefits of increased traffic and engagement.