A comprehensive 87-point Wix SEO checklist covering every optimisation you need to rank higher on Google. Updated April 2026 with AI search and stricter Core Web Vitals criteria.
Key Takeaways
- Technical SEO must be right before on-page or content work delivers full results
- Every Wix page needs a unique, keyword-targeted title tag and meta description
- Image optimisation alone can improve page speed scores by 20–40 points
- Internal linking is underused on most Wix websites, it is one of the fastest wins
- Google Search Console should be set up before any other SEO work begins
- AI search optimisation (llms.txt, speakable schema, citable content) is now essential
After auditing hundreds of Wix websites, the same issues appear again and again. This checklist captures every optimisation point, from the basics that 80% of Wix site owners miss, to advanced tactics that give specialist competitive advantages.
Common Mistake
April 2026 Update: This checklist now includes 8 new AI search optimisation items covering llms.txt files, speakable schema markup, AI-citable content formatting, and Perplexity business profile setup. The INP threshold has been updated from 200ms to 150ms following Google's March 2026 announcement. All 87 original items have been reviewed and confirmed current.
AI Search Optimisation Checklist (New for April 2026)
- Create and deploy a comprehensive llms.txt file at your site root
- Add speakable schema markup to key content pages for voice and AI assistant citation
- Format FAQ sections with question-answer pairs that AI systems can directly cite
- Claim your Perplexity business profile at perplexity.ai/business
- Add data-ai-summary attributes to key content sections for AI crawlers
- Implement structured data (FAQPage, HowTo, Article) on all content pages
- Write definition-style opening sentences (X is Y format) for target topics
- Include statistics with source citations that AI systems can reference with attribution
Technical SEO Checklist (Items 1–25)
- Connect Google Search Console and verify ownership
- Submit XML sitemap to GSC (Wix generates this automatically)
- Verify no important pages are blocked in robots.txt
- Set preferred domain (www vs non-www) in Wix domain settings
- Enable HTTPS, Wix provides free SSL for all sites
- Set canonical tags on all pages to prevent duplicate content
- Check for duplicate meta descriptions (common on Wix collection pages)
- Configure 301 redirects for any changed or removed URLs
- Test mobile responsiveness on real devices (not just Chrome DevTools)
- Check Core Web Vitals in PageSpeed Insights (LCP, CLS, INP)
- Compress all images below 200KB before uploading
- Add lazy loading to all below-fold images
- Remove unused Wix apps that slow page load
- Test site on 3G connection speed simulation
- Verify all pages have a valid HTML <title> tag
- Check for broken internal links using Screaming Frog or Ahrefs
- Set correct language and country in Wix SEO settings
- Verify hreflang tags for multilingual/international pages
- Confirm structured data is valid via Google's Rich Results Test
- Enable Wix's automatic schema for blog posts and products
- Test crawlability with Google's URL Inspection tool
- Fix any 4xx or 5xx errors showing in Search Console
- Ensure your sitemap updates automatically when new pages are added
- Set up 404 error page with helpful navigation links
- Check page speed on mobile (target 80+ on PageSpeed Insights)
On-Page SEO Checklist (Items 26–55)
- Write a unique title tag for every page (50–60 characters)
- Write a unique meta description for every page (150–160 characters)
- Include primary keyword in title tag near the beginning
- Use only one H1 per page containing the primary keyword
- Structure content with H2-H4 headings that target semantic keywords
- Include the primary keyword in the first 100 words of body text
- Optimise image file names (use-hyphens-not-underscores.jpg)
- Write descriptive alt text for every image (include keyword where natural)
- Add internal links from high-authority pages to key conversion pages
- Ensure every page has at least 300 words of unique, valuable content
- Use bullet lists and numbered lists to improve readability
- Add a clear call-to-action on every service or product page
- Include your city/location on every local service page
- Add trust signals: reviews, certifications, credentials near the top
- Ensure contact information is visible on every page (header or footer)
- Use schema markup for FAQs, breadcrumbs, and local business data
- Write unique product descriptions (never copy manufacturer text)
- Include comparison tables for high-consideration buying decisions
- Add author bio with credentials on all blog posts and guides
- Link out to authoritative external sources where relevant
- Include the current year in evergreen content titles
- Test reading level, aim for Flesch-Kincaid grade 8–10
- Ensure no keyword stuffing, keyword density should be 1–2%
- Add a FAQ section to target voice search and People Also Ask
- Add publish date and last updated date visibly on all content pages
- Use short, descriptive URLs (avoid Wix's default auto-generated URLs)
- Check that page URLs use hyphens, not underscores
- Verify breadcrumb navigation is in place on all inner pages
- Include social sharing buttons on all blog posts
- Confirm that your most important page is within 2 clicks of the homepage
Content & Off-Page Checklist (Items 56–87)
- Create a keyword-targeted blog content calendar
- Publish at least 2 new articles per month
- Update old content every 6–12 months with fresh data
- Build a topical authority cluster around each core service
- Conduct a competitor content gap analysis quarterly
- Set up Google Alerts for brand mentions to reclaim unlinked citations
- Submit business to 40+ local citation directories
- Build NAP (name, address, phone) consistency across all directories
- Get listed on industry-specific directories relevant to your niche
- Set up and optimise your Google Business Profile
- Respond to all Google reviews (positive and negative)
- Post weekly updates to Google Business Profile
- Pursue 3–5 guest post opportunities per quarter
- Create original research or data studies that earn natural links
- Set up Ahrefs or Semrush to monitor new backlinks weekly
- Disavow toxic backlinks if domain is penalised
- Share all new content across social media channels
- Build email list and send newsletters to drive traffic to new content
- Get featured in local press and news sites for local SEO
- Submit to niche-relevant podcasts and YouTube channels for mentions
- Create a free tool or resource that earns natural links
- Partner with complementary local businesses for reciprocal coverage
- Monitor keyword rankings weekly using a rank tracker
- Track organic traffic trends in Google Analytics 4
- Review Search Console performance report monthly
- Audit your backlink profile for toxic links quarterly
- Check competitors' new backlinks monthly for link opportunities
- Measure conversion rate from organic traffic (not just traffic volume)
- Set up conversion tracking goals in Google Analytics 4
- Review and refresh top-performing content every 6 months
- Test new page layouts using Wix's A/B testing features
- Document all SEO changes and their impact in a change log
Frequently Asked Questions
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