Best “bang for your buck” SEO tweaks

There are times when you need to show value to a client fast. Perhaps at the beginning of an agreement or when things have headed south a bit, and you want to regain positive momentum.

These are my starting points – focusing on things that can move quickly and deliver visible results specifically between monthly client meetings…

1️⃣ Technical Excellence

Core Web Vitals Optimization: Clients don’t always get the numbers, but seeing a green score where they once had red/orange is an easy win. To do this quickly, target:

– Image optimization (compression, CDN, lazy-loading)

– Browser caching implementation

– Simple render-blocking resource elimination

– LCP element optimization

Internal Linking Restructuring: This is one of the most underutilized yet powerful SEO techniques. Create a proper linking strategy that distributes equity to important pages. Show clients before/after visualizations (even a simple Google Sheet works), and they’ll immediately see why this is important. 

Schema Markup: So many websites still miss this. Adding the right schema improves visibility and delivers rich snippets PDQ (“pretty damn quick”):

– Organization schema for credibility

– Local business schema for location-based businesses

– Product/service schema for e-commerce

– FAQ schema for additional SERP exposure

2️⃣ Content & Structure Improvements

Title Tag & Meta Description Audit: This is basic but effective – track before/after CTR improvements by focusing on:

– Add power words that trigger emotional responses

– Place primary keywords at the beginning of titles / metas

– Ensure proper formatting

– Include clear calls to action

Featured Snippet Optimization: Target keywords where clients already rank in the top 5 positions:

– Restructure with “what is” or “how to” format

– Add a concise 40-60 word answer paragraph

– Implement proper heading structure and lists

– Add relevant tables when appropriate

These changes can yield featured snippets within a few days, making highly visible wins where clients immediately see the impact.

URL Structure Cleanup: For problematic URL structures:

– Consolidate similar/duplicate content

– Create logical URL hierarchies

– Implement proper canonical tags

– Reclaim lost link equity

This process does take some brain power, but it is especially effective for sites that have had multiple redesigns or migrations and haven’t considered this before.

3️⃣ Additional Quick Wins 

Google Business Profile Optimization:

– Add strategic Q&A content (pro tip: create your own questions)

– Implement a review generation strategy

– Create Google Posts for engagement

– Set up UTM tracking to demonstrate direct results

Branded SERP Enhancement: Clients LOVE talking about themselves! Few things impress them more than dominating their branded searches:

– Optimize social profiles and knowledge panels

– Create content for brand-adjacent keywords

– Address negative content with reputation management

Take before/after screenshots – these changes often have the biggest emotional impact.

Search Console Quick Hits:

– Fix pages with high impressions but low CTR

– Focus efforts on pages already ranking for keywords in positions 5-15

– Resolve simple mobile usability issues

4️⃣ The Strategic Approach

Focus on pages that are already getting traffic: Start with pages that already receive impressions:

– They’re already indexed and recognized

– They have existing authority signals

– They’ll improve faster than new pages

– They provide measurable before/after metrics

Using Search Console (or my new fave, SEO Stack), identify pages with decent impressions but mediocre CTR or rankings – these are your hit list for quick improvements.

The Compound Effect

These tweaks build on each other. Implementing them systematically creates a compound effect greater than the sum of its parts.

Clients can see tangible results quickly, building their confidence in your agency, while you’re simultaneously laying the groundwork for long-term SEO success. Smart choices deliver both immediate satisfaction and lasting value.

Oh, and one last tip – record EVERYTHING! Whether in a spreadsheet or project management tool, keep everything at hand. (I’m working on a notion template so a client will never ask me again, “So, what have you done?!”)

What are your go-to quick wins that deliver real SEO value? Drop a comment below! 👇