The SEO world changes faster than TikTok trends, but some on-page techniques have stood the test of time. And they’re still crushing it in 2025. After working with dozens of small business websites and tweaking everything from title tags to schema markup, I’ve seen firsthand what actually moves the needle. Whether you’re doing it all yourself or guiding someone on your team, getting these basics right can light up your results without needing to chase every new algorithm update.

So, let’s dig into 10 on-page SEO techniques that continue to deliver in a world of AI, voice search, and ever-evolving Google rules.

1. Nail Your Title Tags, Meta Descriptions & H1s

If this sounds like SEO 101, it kind of is. And there’s a reason it’s still lesson one.

Your title tag is the single most important element on a page when it comes to click-throughs. It’s what people see first in the search results and what Google looks at to determine what a page is about. Get lazy with it, and you’ll feel it in your rankings.

Best practice? Make sure it’s clear, keyword-aligned, and under 60 characters. I once helped a client (a family-run landscaping business) rework their homepage title from the generic “Home” to “Affordable Landscaping Services in North Austin”. Their traffic nearly tripled within a month.

Your meta description, while not a direct ranking factor, is crucial for engagement. Think of it as your elevator pitch. Google might rewrite it sometimes, but having a compelling one increases the odds people will click.

And don’t forget your H1 tag. There should only be one per page. Treat it like your page’s headline. It needs to grab attention while reinforcing what your page is all about.

2. Use Keyword-Rich Headings Like a Pro

Google’s crawlers use heading structure to understand your content. But real talk? Your readers rely on it even more.

Each page should have a logical flow:
– H1 for the main topic
– H2s as your key subsections
– H3s when you need to go deeper

Don’t jam keywords in just to tick a box. Instead, ask yourself: What would someone actually search for to find this information? That’s your clue. For a blog post on sustainable packaging, swapping “Our Values” for a heading like “Why Eco-Friendly Packaging Matters in 2025” was a game-changer for one of my eCommerce clients.

3. Tie Pages Together with Internal Linking

Think of your website like a house. If your rooms don’t connect, visitors get lost. Internal linking helps users navigate and signals to Google which pages matter most.

Here’s how to make it work:
– Use clear, descriptive anchor text
– Link to related content in a natural way
– Prioritize important pages to pass ‘link equity’

When I managed content for a SaaS startup in 2023, we added internal links across blog posts pointing to key product features. Bounce rates dropped by 17% in just one quarter.

4. Apply Schema Markup for Rich Results

Schema is like speaking Google’s native language. By adding structured data, you help search engines understand your page better. And unlock rich results like star ratings, product info, FAQs, and more.

There are hundreds of schema types, but some useful ones include:
– Product for eCommerce
– FAQPage for help sections
– Article for blog content
– LocalBusiness for (you guessed it) local businesses

Pro tip: I use Google’s Rich Results Test every time I implement schema to make sure it works correctly. It’s saved me plenty of debugging headaches.

5. Optimize for Lightning-Fast Load Speeds

Patience is in short supply online. If your page takes more than 3 seconds to load, a chunk of your audience checks out. Worse, Google uses Core Web Vitals to evaluate performance now. And slower pages often rank lower.

Here’s what works in 2025:
– Compress images using tools like TinyPNG
– Use lazy loading for images below the fold
– Minify CSS and JavaScript
– Choose fast, secure, lightweight themes if using CMS platforms

I helped a travel blog revamp their bloated homepage. Cutting load time from 9.2s to 2.7s. And their rankings jumped for half their core keywords over the next update cycle.

6. Make Mobile Usability Top Priority

Over 70% of traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t responsive, you’re invisible to a growing chunk of users and likely on Google’s naughty list.

• Use flexible layouts that adapt to screens
• Avoid pop-ups that block critical content
• Test everything on real devices. Simulators won’t catch it all

One mistake I see all the time? Great-looking headers that overflow on small screens. If users can’t read it, they’ll bounce. And rankings follow suit.

7. Focus on Clear Content Structure & Readability

Ever landed on a blog post that reads like a dissertation? Yeah… you probably didn’t stick around.

Content that performs well is:
– Easy to skim (use short paragraphs and bullets)
– Clear in tone and language
– Formatted for readability across desktop and mobile

Research from NNGroup shows users typically scan before they read. And based on my own analytics, articles with subheadings every 300 words or so almost always outperform long, chunky walls of text.

8. Optimize Images for SEO and Speed

You can’t ignore images. They catch the eye, break up text, and now, thanks to visual search, also impact rankings more than ever.

Here’s your checklist:
– Add descriptive, keyword-focused alt text
– Use appropriate file formats (WebP is solid for web)
– Keep file sizes small without killing quality
– Use unique images, not generic stock when possible

When auditing an online fashion retailer, we discovered stock images from manufacturers were dominating their media library. Swapping to original lifestyle shots improved product page rankings by 22% over 6 weeks. Real visuals matter.

9. Place Keywords Strategically, Not Excessively

Yes, keywords still matter. But “stuffing” died over a decade ago.

The sweet spot? Include your target phrase:
– Once in the first 100 words
– In at least one subheading
– A few times naturally throughout

Search engines are smart enough to understand synonyms and context now. I often use tools like Clearscope or SurferSEO, not as gospel, but to sanity-check I’m covering key terms without sounding robotic.

10. Keep Core Pages Fresh & Updated

Outdated content sends the wrong signals to both users and crawlers. Google wants to show relevant, up-to-date info. And so do your readers.

Refresh evergreen content every 6 to 12 months. Update stats, reword outdated sections, and add new examples where needed. For a nonprofit I consult with, updating a 2022 impact report with fresh testimonials in 2024 helped it regain visibility in time for their spring fundraiser.

Search engines might keep evolving, but people still crave clarity, speed, and trustworthiness. Mastering these core on-page techniques isn’t about chasing hacks. It’s about getting the fundamentals so tight that the algorithm wants to work in your favor.

Want to rank higher and convert better? Give your site a tune-up using these strategies. Or reach out for expert assistance if you’d like an expert eye on it. Your SEO isn’t about keeping up, it’s about staying ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I update my title tags or meta descriptions?

Only when your content focus changes or search behavior shifts. If you notice a drop in clicks or impressions via Google Search Console, it might be time for a refresh. Otherwise, don’t fix what isn’t broken.

What’s the best way to test if my schema markup is working?

Use Google’s Rich Results Test or the Schema.org validator. Both tools will show you if your markup is correctly implemented and eligible for enhanced results.

Do I need to worry about image SEO if I’m not in eCommerce?

Absolutely. Image SEO isn’t just for product pages. Blogs, portfolios, and service pages can benefit too. Especially now that Google pulls more visuals into desktop and mobile results.

What’s a good tool for checking mobile responsiveness?

Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test is a great first step, but for serious testing, try tools like BrowserStack or just… borrow 3 different phones from friends and check manually. Old-school always works.

Are internal links more important than external backlinks?

They serve different roles. Internal links help with site navigation and spreading authority internally. Backlinks from other sites build your domain’s overall authority. You need both. But strong internal linking strategy is your easiest win and 100% under your control.