Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for On-Page SEO Audit

Objective: To systematically evaluate and enhance the on-page search engine optimization (SEO) elements of an existing webpage to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results.

Scope: This SOP covers the comprehensive assessment of on-page SEO factors including URL optimization, title and meta description effectiveness, header tag usage, image alt attributes, content relevance and quality, internal and external linking strategies, technical SEO health, mobile friendliness, and page load speed.

Required Tools: SEO auditing tools, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, mobile responsiveness testing tools, page speed analysis tools.

Procedure:

1. Initial Assessment: Begin with an overview of the current page performance metrics using Google Analytics and Google Search Console to understand baseline visibility, traffic, and user engagement.
2. URL Structure Analysis: Evaluate the URL for clarity, keyword relevance, and structure efficiency. Ensure URLs are concise, follow a logical hierarchy, and employ hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_).
3. Title Tag and Meta Description Review: Check for the presence of targeted keywords, relevance to page content, and adherence to character limits to maximize visibility and click-through rates.
4. Header Tags Optimization: Ensure H1 tags are used for main titles with appropriate use of H2-H6 tags for subheadings, incorporating relevant keywords where possible.
5. Image Optimization: Assess all images for the use of descriptive, keyword-rich alt attributes and file size optimization to enhance page load speeds and accessibility.
6. Content Quality and Optimization: Analyze the content for keyword optimization, topical relevance, readability, and engagement. Ensure content addresses user intent and includes internal links to relevant site content.
7. Link Analysis: Evaluate internal and external linking practices for quality, relevance, and the potential for link building to enhance authority.
8. Technical SEO Check: Perform a technical audit to identify and rectify issues related to crawlability, indexation, and mobile responsiveness.
9. Speed and Mobile Usability: Assess page load times and mobile usability, implementing best practices for optimization to improve user experience across devices.
10. Action Plan Development: Based on the audit findings, develop a detailed action plan prioritizing issues by impact on SEO performance with clear steps for implementation.

Outcome: The completion of this SOP will result in a comprehensive understanding of the webpage's current on-page SEO performance and a strategic roadmap for enhancements aimed at improving search engine rankings, user experience, and organic traffic.