How to Create an SEO Strategy (Template Included)

Quick answer: what an SEO strategy is and why it matters

An SEO strategy is a simple plan that lines up your website, your content, and your promotion so the right people can find you on search engines. It turns scattered SEO tasks into a steady roadmap that grows traffic, leads, and brand trust over time. Think of an SEO strategy like a road map: it shows where you are, where you want to go, and the best route to get there.

Grab the one-page template (copy and use it)

Want a simple plan you can finish in under an hour? Copy the one-page SEO template below into a Google Doc or Sheet and fill it out as you read. It keeps everything on one page so you can share it with your team or boss.

One-Page SEO Strategy Template
Business name:
Primary business goal (90 days):
KPIs (what you will measure):
Target audience / persona:
Top 5 keywords to target (intent + volume):
Content themes / topics:
Pages to create or optimize:
Technical fixes (priority):
Link building targets (types of sites):
AI / snippet focus (conversational queries):
30-60-90 day quick actions (3 items each):
Reporting cadence and owner:

A simple 5-step framework to build your SEO plan

Follow these five steps. Each step tells you what to do and how to record it in the one-page template.

Step 1 — Set clear goals and KPIs

Match SEO to business goals. Ask: what counts as success? Examples:

• Local service: get 20 calls per month from organic search.
• SaaS: increase demo sign-ups from search by 30% in 90 days.
• E-commerce: grow organic sessions to a product category by 25% and improve conversion rate.

Write a KPI for each goal, like "organic sessions," "leads from organic," or "revenue from organic." Put these in your template under "Primary business goal" and "KPIs."

Step 2 — Run a quick SEO audit (technical + on-page)

Find the things that stop search engines and users. Focus on the high-impact items first:

• Indexing issues and sitemap errors. Use Google Search Console to check coverage. See Google Search Central SEO Starter Guide for basics.
• Page speed and mobile usability. Slow pages lose visitors and rankings.
• Broken links and duplicate titles. Fix these fast.

Record the top 3 technical fixes in the template under "Technical fixes."

Step 3 — Do focused keyword research

Pick keywords that match user intent. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or the methods in this guide for ideas. Group keywords into themes (topics) you can cover with one content plan.

Tip: target a mix of short, high-value terms and long-tail phrases that show intent ("best plumber near me" vs "how to fix a leaky pipe"). Add the top 5 to your template.

Step 4 — Build or improve content (on-page optimization)

Make pages that answer the searcher. Good content follows intent, is easy to read, and includes the chosen keywords naturally. Important on-page items:

• Title and meta description that match intent.
• Headings that organize the page.
• Short paragraphs and helpful examples.
• Internal links to related pages.

Update existing pages first. It often gives faster wins than creating new pages.

Step 5 — Authority and link building

Links show trust. Start with easy wins:

• Make a list of local directories or industry sites to ask for links.
• Fix broken links pointing to competitor pages (broken link building).
• Create one useful resource that others will want to link to (a guide, a tool, or data).

See a deeper approach to links in Search Engine Journal link building advice and note the fit for your business model.

Three quick examples (filled parts of the template)

Local business: "Main Street Plumbing"

Field	Example
Primary goal	20 calls/month from organic
KPIs	Organic calls, local pack impressions
Top keywords	"plumber near me", "leak repair [city]"
30-day actions	Fix Google My Business, optimize service pages, add FAQ

SaaS: "TeamTime Tracker"

Field	Example
Primary goal	Increase demo sign-ups 30%
KPIs	Organic demo sign-ups, keyword positions
Top keywords	"time tracking software for agencies", "best time tracker"
30-day actions	Audit pricing and product pages, publish 3 how-to guides

E-commerce: "GreenGear"

Field	Example
Primary goal	Grow category traffic 25%
KPIs	Organic sessions, conversions on category
Top keywords	"best hiking backpack", "lightweight backpacks 30L"
30-day actions	Optimize category pages, add buyer guides, fix schema

Adapting your strategy for AI Overviews and conversational search

Search engines and AI features now prefer short, clear answers plus trustworthy sources. To win snippets and AI Overviews:

• Answer common questions with a short paragraph near the top of the page.
• Use clear headings that match question phrases.
• Build authority with original data, citations, and quality links.

Example: add a short "What is X?" block with a one-sentence answer and a short list of steps. That helps both users and AI systems pick your content.

Measure, report, and iterate

Set a reporting cadence. For most small teams, monthly is enough. Track your KPIs and one leading metric (like impressions or clicks for target keywords). If something moves, dig in.

Use this simple prioritization score for actions: Impact (1-3) x Effort (1-3). Do actions with high impact and low effort first.

Quick checklist to finish your one-page plan

1. Write one business goal and one KPI.
2. Add top 5 keywords and match each to a page or new content idea.
3. List three technical fixes to do this month.
4. Pick two link-building targets and one content asset to promote.
5. Set who reports and when.

Resources and further reading

• Google Search Central SEO Starter Guide — technical basics and indexing.
• HubSpot guide — keyword ideas and topical planning.
• Search Engine Journal strategy guide — deeper link and workflow ideas.

FAQ

How long before I see results?

SEO takes time. Expect small wins in 30 to 90 days and steady growth over 6 to 12 months.

Can I DIY this as a small business owner?

Yes. Start with the one-page template and the quick checklist. If you need help, hire an expert for the technical audit or link building.

Final note

Keep the plan simple and review it often. The easiest win is a clear goal and a shared template everyone understands. Want to try one small experiment? Pick one page, follow the template, and measure the traffic change after 30 days. Curious what you learn?