End-of-Year SEO Tune-Up: 5 Website Checks to Make Before The End of the Year
Tis the season to make sure you end the year on a high. The year’s winding down, the decorations are going up, and while everyone’s getting into the festive spirit, there’s one more thing worth adding to your list: giving your website an SEO tune-up.
Think of it like your digital MOT before you log off for Christmas. With just a few quick checks, you can make sure your site keeps working hard for you while you’re tucking into mince pies.
Here are five easy SEO checks to get your website sleighing (yes, sleighing) through the holiday season.
1. Review Your SEO Performance from the Past Year
Before you can improve your rankings, you need to know where you stand.
Take a look at how your SEO has performed over the past year, which pages drove the most organic traffic, which keywords helped you rank, and where you might have lost traction.
Tools like Google Analytics and Search Console make this easy to check. Track your organic visits, leads, and sales month by month to see what’s working, and where Google’s latest algorithm changes might have thrown a curveball.
The goal? Spot your wins, find your weak spots, and set realistic goals for 2026.
2. Refresh Your Keyword Strategy for the New Year
People’s search habits shift all the time; what everyone was Googling last December might not be relevant now.
Use tools like Google Trends or SEMrush to uncover what’s trending in your industry and whether your current keywords are still driving the right kind of traffic.
- Look for emerging phrases or questions your customers are asking.
Identify keywords that have seen a drop in search volume. - Keep an eye on what competitors are ranking for, and spot the gaps they’ve missed.
By updating your keyword list now, you’ll start the new year already aligned with what your audience cares about most.
3. Audit Your On-Page SEO
Now’s the time for a quick page-by-page check-up. Start by running your site through Fifteen’s Free Instant SEO Audit Tool to get an overview.
Then dig into the details:
- Title tags and meta descriptions: Are they unique, keyword-focused, and compelling enough to earn clicks?
Header structure (H1, H2, H3): Is your content well organised, with one clear H1 per page? - Image optimisation: Add descriptive alt text (with keywords where natural), and make sure file sizes aren’t slowing your site down.
These minor tweaks can make a big difference to your visibility and keep Google happy.
4. Fix Broken Links and Redirect Issues
Broken links are like potholes on your digital high street, annoying for visitors and damaging to your reputation with search engines.
Use Google Search Console or a broken link checker to find 404 errors and fix them fast. Redirect old or deleted pages to relevant new URLs, and double-check that all your internal and external links still work.
A site that runs smoothly gives users confidence, and search engines reward that.
5. Optimise Your Website Speed and Core Web Vitals
No one likes waiting for a page to load, not users, and definitely not Google.
Check your Core Web Vitals (available in Google Search Console) and ensure your site loads quickly and smoothly across all devices.
Simple fixes like compressing images, enabling browser caching, and using a reliable hosting provider can make a world of difference.
Fast, mobile-friendly pages don’t just improve rankings, they improve conversions too. Because when your site feels effortless, people stick around.
Wrap-Up: Give Your SEO the Gift of Growth
The holidays are the perfect time to step back, review, and refresh. With these five checks, you can head into December knowing your website’s performing at its best, and ready to make 2026 your biggest digital year yet.
If you’d like expert help getting your SEO strategy ready for the new year, get in touch. We’d love to help your website shine brighter than your Christmas lights.
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