SEO First Month Optimization Checklist

A client’s first month of SEO is one of the most important months as we’re setting up the foundation of their entire campaign. Below are a few reminders of what the rep is responsible for and how to correctly submit it to the QA team.

Client sheet - Work Done URLs

Please add the Homepage URL for the first month Work Done. Even though you will work on multiple pages in the first month, we are only reporting on the homepage to keep the report clean and organized.

SEF URLs (DS Only)

Any page you work on in the first month, should NOT have an SEF URL. We only apply SEF URLs to inventory list pages we create and since we typically won’t be creating any new pages in the first month, all submitted URLs should be defaults (/default.asp?page=xNewInventory) —this does not apply to v7 sites.

Showroom Links (DS Only)

By default, there are new (--xNewInventory) and used (--xPreOwnedInventory) inventory list page buttons on the showroom page. Follow this guide to update them so you don’t have two versions of the same URL on your website.

Homepage Paragraphs

Please review any pre-written content in the homepage paragraph(s) and make the following changes if necessary:

• Correct any errors in spelling & grammar, typos, dealer names, and locations

• Add or remove trademarks as necessary

• Shorten long lists of brands and/or inventory types to 4 or less. You can end an abbreviated list with wording like “and more.”

• De-link hyperlinks as necessary to meet the following guidelines:

  • Hyperlinks should be limited to 3-4 total

  • De-link a hyperlink if there is a button on the homepage that matches it (unless there is a research-based need for an exception)

  • They should be important and relevant to conversions and leads, not a scattershot list of brands and product types. Good hyperlinks would be:

    • About Us

    • Contact

    • Maps & Hours

    • Finance

    • Top Level Inventory Pages

    • Pages that are important to your dealer's SEO campaign (use your judgment and research)

Pages You Must Optimize (H1, Meta Title, Meta Description - except where noted)

• Homepage Paragraphs (see instructions above)

• Homepage Title & Description

• Top-level All, New & Used pages. If there are links to ANY of these pages on the homepage or in the dropdown menu, they must be optimized or hidden/removed

  • To remove a top-level All page from your dropdown menu and keep the menu title from changing from “Inventory” to “New Inventory”, rename the “New Inventory” option in the dropdown menu to just “Inventory”. Keep the URL for the top level New page. It’s fine if a user is directed to the top level New page even if the menu option doesn’t specifically indicate “New”.

• Showroom (in addition to the basic optimization, update new/used buttons if present)

• All New Models showroom page (just title and description)

• About Us 

• Parts

• Service

• Maps & Hours

• Reviews (aka “Testimonials”; title and description only).

• Review Us (Submit a Testimonial AND Leave us a Review, if present; title and description only).

• Trade-in (title and description only; if page is present)

• Schedule test ride/demo/etc. (title & description only; if page is present) 

Pages not necessary to optimize in the first month, unless dealer requested

• Any additional services the dealership offers (rentals, motorcycle classes, winterization, RV storage, marine/boat docking, apparel/gear/MotorClothes)

• Manufacturer promotion pages (if available)

• Inventory pages other than top-level all, new, used (manufacturer, vehicle type, etc)

• Financing

• Contact us

• Newsletter

• Staff

• Events/calendar

• Photos

• Careers/employment

• Service request/parts request form

• Get a Quote

• Links/Resources page

• Old custom pages created by DigMs