Publishing a blog post might seem simple—write, hit publish, and you’re done. But if you want your blog to rank on Google, engage readers, and convert traffic into leads, you need a blog post publishing checklist.
Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or just starting your blogging journey, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes and follow best practices—with SEO tips, tools, examples, and checklists.
Why You Need a Blog Post Publishing Checklist
Imagine spending hours crafting a great blog, only to see it buried on page 10 of Google. Missed meta tags, broken links, or poor formatting can cost you rankings and credibility. A checklist ensures:
- Higher chances of ranking on search engines
- A better user experience
- More shares, engagement, and conversions
Blog Post Publishing Checklist (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Final Proofreading and Content Polish
Before anything else, check the core of your content.
Checklist:
- Proofread manually AND use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway App
- Eliminate passive voice and wordiness
- Keep sentences clear and concise
- Ensure brand tone and voice consistency
- Remove repetition and off-topic sections
Tools:
Example:
Before: “This is a post that aims to inform you about the benefits that SEO can provide for your online presence.”
After: “This post explains how SEO boosts your online presence.”
Step 2: On-Page SEO Optimization
This is where your blog gets ready to be discovered by search engines.
Checklist:
- Include primary keyword in:
- Blog title (H1)
- URL slug
- First 100 words
- At least one H2 heading
- Blog title (H1)
- Use LSI (latent semantic indexing) keywords (use SurferSEO or Semrush)
- Add meta title (under 60 characters) and meta description (under 155 characters)
- Use schema markup if applicable (how-to, FAQ, etc.)
- Optimize images:
- Descriptive filenames
- Compressed for fast loading
- ALT text includes relevant keywords
- Descriptive filenames
Tools:
Step 3: Internal & External Linking
Help readers and Google understand your website better.
Checklist:
- Add 2–4 internal links to relevant blog posts or pillar pages
- Add 2–3 external links to reputable sources (e.g., HubSpot, Forbes, Google)
- Use descriptive anchor text
- Ensure links open in a new tab (target=”_blank” for external)
Example:
Internal Link:
“Learn more about long-tail keyword strategy in this guide.”
External Link:
“According to a study by Backlinko, longer content ranks better on Google.”
Step 4: Optimize Title, URL, & Meta Tags
Your blog’s first impression in search engines.
Checklist:
- Blog Title: Compelling, keyword-rich, under 60 characters
- URL Slug: Short and clean (/blog-post-checklist)
- Meta Title: Includes primary keyword
- Meta Description: Value-driven and action-oriented
📝 Example:
Title: “✅ Ultimate Blog Post Publishing Checklist (Step-by-Step)”
Meta Description: “Don’t hit publish without this 8-step blog publishing checklist. Boost SEO, engagement, and conversions with this step-by-step guide.”
Step 5: Add Visuals & Media
Visual content increases dwell time and makes your content more digestible.
Checklist:
- Add a featured image
- Include custom graphics, infographics, or screenshots
- Add ALT text with relevant keywords
- Embed related videos (YouTube or Loom)
- Caption your images (helps with context)
Tools:
Step 6: Format for Readability
If your blog isn’t skimmable, users will bounce. Formatting is key!
Checklist:
- Use clear H2 and H3 subheadings
- Break content into short paragraphs (2–4 lines)
- Use bold and italics to highlight important info
- Add bulleted and numbered lists
- Include quote blocks or callouts
Example:
💡 Pro Tip: Add a table of contents using a plugin like “Easy Table of Contents” for WordPress blogs.
Step 7: Add Calls to Action (CTAs)
Every blog post should guide readers toward a next step.
Checklist:
- Add CTA at the end (e.g., lead magnet, product page, contact form)
- Use contextual CTAs throughout the post
- Highlight CTAs with contrasting colors or buttons
📝 Example:
“Liked this post? Check our free SEO checklist to take your optimization even further!”
Step 8: Technical Checks
Don’t let broken links or slow speeds hurt your content.
Checklist:
- Check for broken links (use Broken Link Checker)
- Test on mobile and tablet
- Compress images to improve page speed
- Use HTTPS and check for security issues
- Add canonical tags to avoid duplicate content
Tools:
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- GTMetrix
- Ahrefs Site Audit
Step 9: Final Preview and Publish
Time to go live—but preview first!
Checklist:
- Preview blog on mobile, tablet, and desktop
- Double-check category, tags, and author
- Schedule for best traffic time (use Google Analytics or HubSpot)
- Ensure featured image is visible
- Hit “Publish” or schedule
Step 10: Post-Publish Promotion
Don’t just publish—promote it everywhere!
Checklist:
- Share on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook)
- Notify your email list
- Submit to Google Search Console
- Answer related questions on Quora or Reddit with a link
- Repurpose into carousels, reels, or infographics
Tools:
Final Thoughts
A great blog post isn’t just written—it’s strategically published.
Use this detailed blog post publishing checklist to ensure every article is SEO-optimized, reader-friendly, and ready to rank.
👉 Ready to take your content strategy to the next level? Explore our SEO services and let Conversion Monks help your blog drive real results.