6 Simple On-Site SEO Edits: Small Changes That Make a Big Impact

Marketing & SEO

In a previous article, we introduced a basic SEO plan that helps lay the groundwork for improving your website’s visibility in search results. After researching the right keywords and creating dedicated landing pages, the next step is to optimize the rest of your site so it fully supports your SEO goals.

At NDIC, we help our clients with key SEO edits to keep their website optimized — practical changes that can make a real difference without requiring an ongoing strategy. If you’re already investing in a better-performing website, these small improvements can go a long way.

Here’s a breakdown of what we call Basic On-Site SEO and how it can help your website perform better in search engines.

What Is On-Site SEO?

On-site SEO refers to the things you can control and improve directly on your website. This is different from off-site SEO, which includes strategies like backlink building, social media presence, and directory listings.

The goal of on-site SEO is to help search engines understand what your pages are about and show them to the right audience at the right time.

Key On-Site SEO Improvements You Should Be Making

1. Create Unique Title Tags for Every Page

The <title> tag is one of the most important on-page ranking factors. Every page on your site should have a unique, descriptive title that focuses on one or two main keywords.

Keep it under 70 characters
Include your target keyword near the beginning
Avoid stuffing too many keywords into one title

2. Use Proper H1 Headings

Every page should have a clear, text-based heading formatted with an <h1> tag. This helps both users and search engines understand the focus of the page.

If your site was designed with stylish image-based headers, consider replacing them with real HTML text so they’re readable by search engines.

3. Add Meta Descriptions and Keyword Tags

While keyword meta tags carry minimal SEO weight today, the meta description is still important. This is the text that often appears under your site title in Google’s search results.

Write a compelling, natural-sounding description (150–160 characters)
Include your keyword if possible
Think of it as a mini advertisement to encourage clicks

We help clients write or refine these to better reflect what each page offers.

4. Add Alt Text to Your Images

Image alt tags serve a dual purpose: they help with accessibility, and they give search engines context about your images.

Use descriptive alt text that includes your keyword where appropriate
Don’t stuff keywords — make it useful to a real user

5. Optimize Page Names and URLs

Your page URLs matter more than you might think. Instead of generic URLs like:
/page1.html or /service123.html

Use keyword-rich URLs that reflect the page content:
/ventura-homes-for-sale

Important: If you rename pages, make sure to update all internal links to avoid broken pages and preserve a good user experience.

6. Bold Important Keywords (When It Makes Sense)

While bolding keywords doesn’t have the same SEO value it once did, it can still help emphasize important content for both users and search engines.

Use bold formatting selectively to highlight core phrases or benefits on your pages. Don’t overdo it — it should feel helpful, not spammy.

Do These Basic Edits Really Work?

Yes — they absolutely help. These on-site edits won’t catapult you to #1 overnight, but they will:

Make your site easier for search engines to understand
Improve user experience
Strengthen the impact of your keyword targeting

Combined with smart landing pages and consistent updates, these edits are an essential part of any sustainable SEO strategy.

Need Help Getting Started?

At NDIC, we don’t run full-scale SEO campaigns, but we can help you improve your site’s structure, content, and on-page elements with best practices in mind. Whether you’re launching a new website or simply want to make some targeted SEO improvements as part of your website maintenance plan, we’re happy to support you.