🔥 SEO & Digital Marketing Cheat Sheet
A comprehensive, action-driven cheat sheet with strategies to dominate search engines, drive traffic, and grow your online presence.
📄 On-Page SEO
- Keyword Placement: Add primary keywords in title, H1, first 100 words, and last paragraph.
- URL Optimization: Keep URLs short, descriptive, and include target keywords.
- Image SEO: Use descriptive
alttext, compress images for fast loading, and use WebP format. - Meta Tags: Write compelling
<title>(55-60 chars) andmeta description(150-160 chars). - Internal Linking: Use contextual links with keyword-rich anchors to important pages.
- Readability: Use short sentences, bullet points, and active voice for better user engagement.
Strategy: Use tools like Surfer SEO or Clearscope to optimize content based on competitors’ keyword density.
⚙️ Technical SEO
- Site Speed: Use Google PageSpeed Insights to fix issues, use lazy loading, and serve images via CDN.
- Mobile-Friendliness: Design with a responsive layout. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
- Secure Site: Use HTTPS. Google gives ranking preference to secure sites.
- Indexation: Submit your XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Structured Data: Implement JSON-LD schema markup to enhance rich results.
- Crawl Budget: Block unnecessary pages in
robots.txtand reduce redirect chains.
Strategy: Use Screaming Frog to audit and fix duplicate titles, broken links, redirect loops, and missing tags.
🔗 Off-Page SEO
- Link Building: Acquire backlinks via guest posts, resource pages, broken link outreach, and digital PR.
- Local Listings: Submit to Google Business, Yelp, and industry-specific directories with NAP consistency.
- Social Signals: Share your content across platforms. Encourage shares, mentions, and saves.
- Influencer Outreach: Connect with micro-influencers in your niche for collaborations and mentions.
Strategy: Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out) to get featured in high-authority publications.
📝 Content Marketing
- Content Types: Blogs, infographics, eBooks, case studies, videos, checklists.
- Keyword Research: Use tools like Ubersuggest, SEMrush, or AnswerThePublic.
- Content Calendar: Plan weekly/monthly content based on keyword gaps and seasonal trends.
- Content Refresh: Update older blog posts every 6 months with new data and internal links.
Strategy: Use topic clusters (pillar + cluster pages) to build topical authority.
📊 Google Ads & PPC
- Account Structure: Use campaigns by goal, ad groups by theme.
- Negative Keywords: Add irrelevant search terms to reduce waste spend.
- A/B Testing: Test multiple ad copies and landing pages simultaneously.
- Ad Extensions: Add sitelinks, callouts, call, structured snippets.
- Geo Targeting: Use radius targeting for location-based businesses.
Strategy: Use SKAGs (Single Keyword Ad Groups) for more control over quality score and ad relevance.
📱 Social Media Strategy
- Platforms: Use Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok based on your audience.
- Content Mix: 40% value, 30% promotional, 20% engagement, 10% behind-the-scenes.
- Hashtag Strategy: Mix trending, niche, and branded hashtags.
- Community Building: Reply to every comment, DM, and tag.
- Reels/Shorts: Post vertical short-form videos 3–5 times a week.
Strategy: Repurpose blog content into social carousels, reels, quotes, and polls to 4x your content output.
📩 Email Marketing
- Lead Magnets: Offer free PDFs, checklists, or courses to grow your email list.
- Automation: Set up welcome series, cart abandonment, and re-engagement flows.
- Segmentation: Send targeted content based on behavior and interests.
- A/B Testing: Test subject lines, CTAs, and layouts.
Strategy: Use tools like Brevo or MailerLite with workflows to automate lead nurturing.
📌 SEO & Marketing Tools
- SEO Audit: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog
- Keyword Research: Ubersuggest, Keywords Everywhere, Google Keyword Planner
- Content: Surfer SEO, Grammarly, Hemingway App
- Analytics: Google Analytics 4, Hotjar, Microsoft Clarity
- Scheduling: Buffer, Hootsuite, Publer
- Video Editing: CapCut, Canva, Descript
✅ Final Quick Checklist
- ☑ Unique title and meta for every page
- ☑ Internal linking & site structure in place
- ☑ Schema implemented (JSON-LD)
- ☑ Mobile + Speed optimized
- ☑ Backlinks from 5+ authority domains
- ☑ Regular blog posting schedule
- ☑ Monthly SEO audit & PPC performance report
What is SEO and why does it matter?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) improves your website’s visibility in search results, helping attract more organic traffic and customers.
How long does SEO take to work?
SEO is a long-term strategy and can take 3 to 6 months to show significant improvements in rankings and traffic.
What are backlinks and why are they important?
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They signal trust and can boost your rankings in search engines.
What is keyword research?
Keyword research identifies the terms your audience uses to find services or products like yours, helping you create targeted content.
What is PPC?
PPC (Pay-Per-Click) is a model of internet marketing where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked.
Is Google Ads better than Facebook Ads?
Google Ads is great for intent-based searches, while Facebook excels in demographic and interest-based targeting.
What is a good CTR for Google Ads?
A good CTR is typically above 2%. However, this depends on the industry and ad placement.
What is email marketing?
It’s a digital marketing strategy that involves sending emails to prospects and customers to nurture leads and drive conversions.
What is a good open rate?
A good open rate varies by industry but averages around 20%–25%.
How can I grow my email list?
Use lead magnets, pop-ups, and gated content to encourage visitors to subscribe.
Which platform is best for my business?
How often should I post?
What’s the best way to grow followers?