The need to be visible in search engines has been emphasised by the current high-paced digital environment. There is no more effective method to increase your online outreach other than good on-page SEO. Although off page factors such as back links remain important, Google is taking another direction. User experience and properly organised content are big priorities now.
In case you want to make your site traffic healthier and be listed higher and higher, you must pay attention to the things that occur on your site pages. Everything, starting with the use of keywords up to the fast-loading images is important. A good number of companies resort to the services of professionals willing to provide SEO in Manchester. These experts are up to date with the recent occurrence and are aware of the way to implement them on the local and international scales.
So, in this guide, we will discover eight effective ways to improve your on-page SEO in 2024. All these methods are easy to implement, powerful, and proven to be efficient with reference to SEO professionals.
1. Optimise for Featured Snippets
Featured snippets appear at the top of Google’s search results. These are the boxes that show direct answers to a user’s question. They are also called “Position Zero.”
Why are they important? Because over 35% of clicks go to the snippet, even before people see other search results.
Here’s how you can win a featured snippet:
- Answer questions clearly in 40-60 word blocks.
- Use bullet points or numbered steps for guides.
- Add “how-to”, “what is”, or comparison formats in your content.
- Use schema markup to help Google understand your content.
- Check the “People Also Ask” section on Google for ideas.
For example, if your page explains how to bake a cake, break it down into easy steps. Use plain language. Use a short paragraph for the answer, and a list for the method. This helps both users and search engines.
Featured snippets not only increase traffic but also improve trust. They show that your content is clear, useful, and worth reading.
2. Build Strong Topic Clusters
Gone are the days of relying on single, long pages to rank. Now, search engines want you to cover topics in depth. That’s where topic clusters come in.
Topic clusters start with a pillar page. This is a long piece (around 1,500 to 3,000 words) that gives a complete overview of a topic. Then, you create smaller blog posts on related subtopics. These are your cluster pages.
Here’s how to do it:
- Pick a broad topic like “on-page SEO.”
- Write a long guide about it as the pillar.
- Create shorter articles like “how to optimise metadata” or “URL structure tips.”
- Link them all together with natural, keyword-rich anchor text.
- Keep your cluster content updated every few months.
Search engines like this model because it shows that you are an expert. Readers also benefit because they find all the answers in one place. This boosts dwell time and lowers bounce rate. These are both good signals to Google.
Tools like MarketMuse or SurferSEO can help you spot gaps in your cluster. Fill those gaps to make your site even more useful.
3. Improve Your Page Loading Speed
Slow pages push visitors away. They also hurt your rankings.
Google’s Core Web Vitals now measure page speed and user experience directly. So, speed matters more than ever.
Here’s how to speed up your site:
- Use WebP format for images.
- Compress large files.
- Use lazy loading for images that are below the screen fold.
- Host your site on a fast server.
- Use a CDN (Content Delivery Network).
- Remove unused JavaScript and CSS.
- Test pages using Google PageSpeed Insights and follow its advice.
Mobile speed is even more critical. Google uses mobile-first indexing now. That means it checks how your site works on mobile before ranking it.
A fast website improves not just rankings, but also conversions. Users are more likely to stay and act when your pages load quickly.
4. Clean and Clear URL Structure
URLs matter. They tell both users and search engines what your page is about. A clean URL is easier to read and remember.
Here are some best practices:
- Use short URLs, ideally under 60 characters.
- Include your main keyword.
- Use hyphens between words, not underscores.
- Avoid using long strings with numbers or symbols.
- Keep a clear hierarchy. Example: /services/seo-manchester/
- Use canonical tags to avoid duplicate content.
A good URL looks like this:
www.example.com/on-page-seo-guide
Not this:
www.example.com/page?id=1876&ref=seo12345
Well-made URLs boost click-through rates and help your pages rank better. They are also easier to share on social media or in emails.
5. Image and Multimedia SEO
Search engines now care about how pages use text and media together. Pages with videos, images, and graphs often rank higher because they keep people engaged.
Here’s how to make your media SEO-friendly:
- Use alt text that clearly describes the image.
- Use the relevant alt tag to include a target keyword.
- Ensure that your pictures are responsive using srcset attribute.
- In case of videos, provide a transcript and use powerful thumbnail.
- Use lazy loading to improve speed.
As an illustration, in case you have a fashion site, write your product photos with useful information such as this: Red cotton dress with floral print, summer.
This will make your content appear in Google images and also make it accessible to people of poor eyesight.
6. Craft Better Metadata
Your metadata shows up in the search results. It’s what users see before clicking on your site. If your title and description are boring or unclear, they won’t click.
Writing better metadata tips:
- Make title tags less than 60 characters.
- Put your main keyword right up front.
- generate a feeling of urgency or curiosity.
- Meta descriptions ought to have 120-160 characters.
- Pay attention to what page provides.
- Include a call to action (CTA) such as Learn more or Get started today.
Although the metadata does not have a direct impact on rankings still it has a bearing on the click-through rates. Better CTR will signify to Google that you have useful content, and it will eventually help in rankings.
Update your metadata often. Use Google Search Console to track which pages get fewer clicks. Improve those snippets to gain more attention.
7. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Structured data helps Google understand your content better. It does this by adding code that labels parts of your page.
There are many types of schema you can use:
- For products, use Product schema to show price and stock status.
- For articles, use Article or NewsArticle schema.
- For businesses, use LocalBusiness schema.
- For Q&A or how-to pages, use FAQ or HowTo schema.
Structured data won’t boost rankings directly. But it can improve how your page looks in search results. It may display extra features like star ratings, reviews, or FAQs.
Use Google’s Rich Results Test to check if your markup works. Done right, it makes your listing stand out and increases clicks.
8. Write with Users in Mind
Google’s algorithm updates now focus on user experience. Your content must be written for real people—not just to rank.
That means:
- Write short, clear sentences.
- Avoid technical jargon.
- Answer the user’s question early.
- Use headings and bullet points to break up content.
- Add examples, data, or case studies when possible.
Put the user first in every section. Think: What is the searcher really looking for? Why did they type in that keyword?
Content that connects with real people also performs better with search engines. Because happy users stay longer, read more, and trust your site.
Final Thoughts:
On-page SEO is not one time affair. It is a process of continuous effort. The search engine systems are changed frequently and your site should correspond. In 2024 achieving success will lie in your ability to strike the right balance between technical solutions and content that is beneficial. Even Google recognises every detail, including your URL and image alt tag. Get SEO experts: people, who really mean business, seek the help of SEO professionals within the boundaries of Manchester or any place nearby you.
They are locally informed and have the capability of using contemporary instruments to achieve optimal outcomes. The great thing is that? On-page SEO provides you with a value in the long run. When your pages are optimised, the traffic keeps on coming month after month. Just keep sharpening and revising where necessary. After all, SEO does not only revolve around making Google happy. It is all about serving your market. Do that successfully and the rankings, clicks and conversions will be yours.