Before investing in more content, make sure your site lets Google do its job and lets customers act. This checklist covers what shows up most often on local business WordPress sites.
Before you touch anything: back up
Take a full backup of files and database, and confirm it can be restored. If possible, test big changes in a staging environment.
Indexing
- Under Settings, Reading, the option asking search engines not to index the site must be unchecked.
- robots.txt must not block important pages.
- An XML sitemap must exist and be submitted to Google Search Console.
- Test pages, drafts published by mistake and duplicates should be removed from the index.
Canonicals and duplication
- Each indexable page should point to itself as canonical.
- Thin category and tag archives may not need to be indexed.
- Avoid lots of tags and categories holding a single post.
Metadata and headings
- Unique titles and meta descriptions on every important page.
- One clear H1 per page and subheadings in logical order.
- Short, readable URLs without meaningless words or typos.
Images
- Compressed images in modern formats such as WebP, with set dimensions.
- Alt text that describes the image.
- Lazy loading for images below the first screen, but never for the main hero image.
Performance
- Caching configured and working.
- Unused plugins removed or deactivated.
- Third-party scripts, such as review widgets and chats, loaded only where needed.
- Core Web Vitals checked with field data when available: LCP within 2.5 s, INP within 200 ms and CLS under 0.1.
Mobile and contact
- Visible, working call and WhatsApp buttons.
- Short forms with labeled fields and a confirmation message.
- Text readable without zooming and buttons easy to tap.
Internal links
- Service pages linked from the homepage and the menu.
- Articles linked to the topic guide and the service page.
- No important page without links pointing to it.
Security and maintenance
- WordPress, theme and plugins updated, after a backup.
- HTTPS active across the whole site.
- Admin accounts reviewed.