If you’ve been managing a WordPress website and wondering why your traffic isn’t growing, or why your pages aren’t ranking higher on Google, chances are your SEO score needs some attention.
Improving your SEO score doesn’t mean you need to chase perfection or get lost in technical jargon. Most beginners and even experienced bloggers often think SEO is too complicated. But in reality, it comes down to doing a few key things well and consistently.
In this article, you’ll learn realistic, step by step strategies to improve your SEO score on WordPress, even if you’re not an SEO expert or a web developer.
What Does “SEO Score” Really Mean?
An SEO score is a measure used by tools like Rank Math, Yoast SEO, or website audits to evaluate how well your page or site is optimized for search engines. It’s not a metric used by Google itself, but it’s still useful for spotting issues.
A higher SEO score usually means your content:
- Follows SEO best practices
- Uses keywords effectively
- Loads quickly and works well on mobile
- Has proper formatting, tags, and metadata
- Provides a good user experience
So while the score isn’t everything, improving it often leads to better visibility on search engines and, in turn, more traffic.
1. Start with a Reliable SEO Plugin (But Just One)
Your first step should be installing a reliable SEO plugin. WordPress doesn’t come with SEO features by default, so this plugin will help you manage everything from metadata and sitemaps to breadcrumbs and social previews.
Recommended Plugins:
Choose one. Don’t install multiple SEO plugins as they may conflict with each other.
Action Step:
Install Rank Math or Yoast SEO, go through their setup wizard, and configure your basic site SEO. Enable sitemap generation and indexing options.
2. Use Long-Tail Keywords That Make Sense
Many beginners make the mistake of trying to rank for high-volume keywords like “SEO” or “blogging.” These are very competitive, and it’s nearly impossible to rank for them without a large, authoritative site.
Instead, focus on long tail keywords phrases that are more specific and easier to rank for.
Example:
Instead of “digital marketing,” use “digital marketing for small businesses in India” or “SEO strategy for handmade jewelry websites.”
You don’t need premium keyword tools. You can use:
- Google’s autocomplete suggestions
- “People also ask” section
- Ubersuggest (free version)
- AnswerThePublic
Action Step:
Pick a long-tail keyword and include it naturally in your blog title, meta description, first paragraph, and at least one subheading.
3. Focus on On-Page SEO Basics
On-page SEO is the foundation of a good SEO score. It involves making sure your titles, headings, images, and URLs are all optimized.
Checklist:
- Use your focus keyword in the title (once)
- Keep your URL short and keyword-rich
- Add a meta description with the keyword
- Use headers (H1, H2, H3) to structure content
- Add internal and external links
- Include keyword in the first 100 words
Don’t stuff your content with keywords. Use them naturally, and always write for humans first, not just search engines.
Action Step:
Use your SEO plugin’s built-in checklist to optimize each blog post before publishing.
4. Improve Page Load Speed (But Don’t Obsess)
Speed matters. A slow site leads to higher bounce rates and lower rankings. But you don’t need to score 100/100 on PageSpeed Insights. You just need to make your site load in under 3 seconds for most users.
Realistic Tips:
- Use lightweight themes like Astra or GeneratePress
- Compress images using plugins like Smush or ShortPixel
- Install a caching plugin (e.g. WP Fastest Cache or W3 Total Cache)
- Avoid using too many animations or page builder effects
- Choose reliable hosting (SiteGround, Hostinger, or Cloudways)
Action Step:
Check your site speed using GTmetrix. Aim to improve anything that’s easily fixable, like image size or script loading.
5. Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly
With the majority of users now browsing from mobile devices, Google prioritizes mobile friendly websites in search results.
Many WordPress themes claim to be responsive, but always test for yourself.
Checklist:
- Text is readable without zooming
- Buttons are easy to click
- Images resize properly on smaller screens
- Navigation works smoothly
Action Step:
Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. If your theme doesn’t pass, consider switching to a responsive theme like Kadence or GeneratePress.
6. Use Internal Links in Every Post
Internal linking is often overlooked, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve SEO. It helps Google understand your site structure and keeps visitors on your site longer.
Example:
If you’re writing a post about SEO plugins, link to another post on WordPress speed optimization or keyword research.
Action Step:
Add at least 2–3 internal links to related blog posts or pages in every new article you publish.
7. Write Alt Text for Every Image
Google can’t interpret images unless you describe them. Alt text helps search engines understand your images and improves accessibility.
Tips for Writing Alt Text:
- Keep it short and descriptive
- Mention the keyword only if relevant
- Don’t use phrases like “image of” or “picture of”
Example:
“WordPress dashboard showing Rank Math setup wizard”
Action Step:
Always fill in the “Alt Text” field when uploading images in WordPress.
8. Submit Your Sitemap to Google Search Console
You want Google to index your pages quickly. Submitting your sitemap helps.
How to Do It:
- Install your SEO plugin (like Rank Math) to generate your sitemap
- Go to Google Search Console
- Add your domain and verify it
- Submit your sitemap (usually:
yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml)
Action Step:
Log in to Search Console and submit your sitemap. It’s a one-time task that has long-term benefits.
9. Update Old Content Instead of Always Creating New Posts
You don’t have to keep publishing new blogs every week to improve SEO. Updating older content can boost your rankings, especially if the information is outdated or lacking depth.
What to Update:
- Add new stats or trends
- Fix broken links
- Update keywords or headings
- Improve internal linking
- Refresh images or screenshots
Action Step:
Set a schedule to update 1–2 blog posts each month. Mark posts that haven’t been touched in over a year.
10. Use Clean Permalink Structures
A messy URL with too many words or numbers doesn’t help SEO.
Good URL:yourdomain.com/seo-tips-wordpress
Bad URL:yourdomain.com/2025/05/18/how-to-improve-seo-score-on-wordpress-for-beginners-and-small-businesses
Action Step:
Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and choose the “Post Name” option.
11. Avoid Over Optimizing or Keyword Stuffing
This is a common mistake. Too many keywords make your content sound robotic and spammy. Google can penalize over-optimized content.
Realistic Tip:
Use the keyword naturally. If it sounds forced, don’t use it. Google understands synonyms and related terms.
Action Step:
After writing your content, read it aloud. If it doesn’t flow naturally, revise it for clarity and tone.
12. Don’t Rely Too Heavily on SEO Scores
Plugins like Yoast and Rank Math give you a score out of 100. While helpful, this score is only a guideline. A post with an 80 score can still rank higher than one with a 95, depending on content quality and competition.
Realistic Tip:
Use the SEO score as a checklist, not a rulebook. Focus more on content quality and user intent.
13. Track Your SEO Progress (Without Obsessing)
SEO takes time. Checking your rankings daily can become frustrating. Instead, track your progress weekly or monthly.
Free Tools to Use:
- Google Search Console (track keywords and impressions)
- Google Analytics (track traffic sources)
- Ubersuggest or Ahrefs (optional for keyword tracking)
Action Step:
Set a calendar reminder to review your site’s performance once a week. Identify what’s working and what can be improved.
Finally: Keep It Simple and Consistent
SEO can feel complex, especially with all the tools, tips, and changing algorithms. But at its core, SEO is about helping people find your content when they need it.
You don’t need to be an expert or spend money on advanced tools. Just focus on the basics:
- Install a good SEO plugin
- Write content that answers real questions
- Use keywords naturally and structure your content well
- Optimize your site for mobile and speed
- Refresh old content regularly
Improving your SEO score is a gradual process. But if you keep at it, you’ll start to see results more visibility, more traffic, and better rankings.
