Checklist · Account-Based Marketing
Account-Based Marketing seo checklist — Step by Step 2026
This SEO checklist is specifically designed for Account-Based Marketing (ABM) teams looking to attract high-value accounts through search. By focusing on relevant keywords and content, you can improve your visibility and generate qualified leads. Follow these steps to optimize your ABM strategy for maximum impact, addressing common pain points such as integration and adoption.
Phase 01
Keyword Research & Targeting
- 1.1critical4 hours
Identify Target Accounts' Search Terms
Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to uncover the exact keywords your target accounts are searching for. Focus on long-tail keywords related to their specific pain points and industry.
- 1.2high3 hours
Analyze Competitor Content
Examine the content of ABM competitors like Leader A and Leader B to identify keyword gaps and opportunities for improvement.
- 1.3medium2 hours
Categorize Keywords by Intent
Group keywords based on user intent (informational, navigational, transactional) to create targeted content for each stage of the buyer's journey. Consider using intent data from platforms like 6sense.
- 1.4high1 hour
Prioritize High-Value Keywords
Focus on keywords with high search volume and relevance to your target accounts. Use a keyword prioritization matrix to guide your content creation efforts.
- 1.5medium1 hour
Incorporate Account Names in Keywords
Where relevant, include target account names in your keywords (e.g., "[Account Name] ABM Solution") to attract their attention.
- 1.6low2 hours
Research Industry-Specific Jargon
Understand the unique terminology used by your target accounts and incorporate it into your keyword strategy.
- 1.7medium1 hour
Use Google Keyword Planner
Leverage Google Keyword Planner to discover related keywords and estimate search volume for your target terms.
- 1.8high2 hours
Review Keyword Difficulty
Assess the difficulty of ranking for your target keywords using tools like Moz Keyword Explorer. Focus on keywords with a reasonable chance of ranking.
- 1.9medium3 hours
Create a Keyword Map
Map your target keywords to specific pages on your website to ensure each page is optimized for a relevant set of terms.
- 1.10high1 hour
Monitor Keyword Performance
Track the performance of your target keywords over time using Google Search Console. Adjust your strategy as needed based on the data.
Phase 02
On-Page Optimization
- 2.1critical2 hours
Optimize Title Tags
Craft compelling title tags that include your target keywords and accurately reflect the content of the page. Keep them under 60 characters.
- 2.2high2 hours
Write Meta Descriptions
Create engaging meta descriptions that encourage users to click through to your page. Include your target keywords and a clear call to action. Keep them under 160 characters.
- 2.3medium2 hours
Use Header Tags (H1-H6)
Structure your content using header tags to improve readability and signal the importance of different sections to search engines. Include target keywords in your H1 tag.
- 2.4medium2 hours
Optimize Image Alt Text
Add descriptive alt text to all images on your website. Use your target keywords where relevant and accurately describe the image content.
- 2.5high4 hours
Improve Page Load Speed
Optimize your website for speed by compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing HTTP requests. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement.
- 2.6critical2 hours
Ensure Mobile-Friendliness
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test to check your site's mobile usability.
- 2.7medium2 hours
Use Internal Linking
Link to other relevant pages on your website to improve site navigation and distribute link juice. Use anchor text that includes your target keywords.
- 2.8critical8 hours
Create High-Quality Content
Develop informative and engaging content that addresses the needs of your target accounts. Focus on providing value and solving their problems.
- 2.9medium1 hour
Optimize URL Structure
Use short, descriptive URLs that include your target keywords. Avoid using special characters or long strings of numbers.
- 2.10low4 hours
Implement Schema Markup
Add schema markup to your website to provide search engines with more information about your content. Use schema.org to find the appropriate markup for your content type.
Phase 03
Off-Page Optimization
- 3.1critical16 hours
Build High-Quality Backlinks
Earn backlinks from reputable websites in your industry. Focus on quality over quantity and prioritize links from sites with high domain authority.
- 3.2high8 hours
Guest Blogging
Write guest posts for relevant websites in your industry. Include a link back to your website in your author bio.
- 3.3medium4 hours
Participate in Industry Forums
Engage in relevant industry forums and communities. Share your expertise and provide helpful advice. Include a link to your website in your signature.
- 3.4high8 hours
Create Shareable Content
Develop content that is highly shareable on social media. This can include infographics, videos, and blog posts.
- 3.5medium2 hours
Monitor Brand Mentions
Track mentions of your brand online and engage with those who are talking about you. Use tools like Google Alerts or Mention to monitor brand mentions.
- 3.6medium4 hours
Build Relationships with Influencers
Connect with influencers in your industry and build relationships with them. They can help you promote your content and reach a wider audience.
- 3.7low2 hours
Submit to Industry Directories
Submit your website to relevant industry directories. This can help you increase your visibility and drive traffic to your site. Consider directories like G2.
- 3.8high4 hours
Promote Content on Social Media
Share your content on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. Use relevant hashtags and engage with your followers.
- 3.9medium4 hours
Participate in Podcast Interviews
Get interviewed on relevant podcasts in your industry. This can help you reach a new audience and promote your brand.
- 3.10low8 hours
Engage in Public Relations
Reach out to journalists and media outlets to get coverage for your company and products. Use tools like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to find opportunities.
Phase 04
Technical SEO
- 4.1high2 hours
Create and Submit a Sitemap
Generate an XML sitemap and submit it to Google Search Console to help search engines crawl and index your website more efficiently.
- 4.2medium4 hours
Check and Fix Broken Links
Regularly check your website for broken links and fix them. Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify broken links.
- 4.3critical2 hours
Implement HTTPS
Ensure your website is using HTTPS to provide a secure connection for your visitors. Obtain an SSL certificate and install it on your server.
- 4.4medium1 hour
Optimize Robots.txt
Configure your robots.txt file to prevent search engines from crawling and indexing certain pages on your website.
- 4.5medium2 hours
Implement Canonical Tags
Use canonical tags to specify the preferred version of a page when you have duplicate content on your website.
- 4.6high4 hours
Fix Crawl Errors
Monitor Google Search Console for crawl errors and fix them promptly. This will ensure that search engines can properly crawl and index your website.
- 4.7medium4 hours
Improve Site Architecture
Design a clear and logical site architecture that makes it easy for users and search engines to navigate your website.
- 4.8high8 hours
Optimize for Core Web Vitals
Improve your website's Core Web Vitals (Largest Contentful Paint, First Input Delay, Cumulative Layout Shift) to provide a better user experience and improve your search rankings. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas for improvement.
- 4.9low4 hours
Use Structured Data Markup
Implement structured data markup to provide search engines with more information about your content. Use schema.org to find the appropriate markup for your content type.
- 4.10low4 hours
Implement Hreflang Tags
Use hreflang tags to specify the language and geographic targeting of your website's content. This is important if you have content in multiple languages.
Phase 05
Measurement & Reporting
- 5.1critical1 hour
Set Up Google Analytics
Install Google Analytics on your website to track your website traffic, user behavior, and conversions.
- 5.2critical1 hour
Configure Google Search Console
Set up Google Search Console to monitor your website's search performance, identify crawl errors, and submit your sitemap.
- 5.3high2 hours
Track Keyword Rankings
Monitor your keyword rankings over time to see how your SEO efforts are paying off. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to track your rankings.
- 5.4high2 hours
Monitor Website Traffic
Track your website traffic to see how many visitors you are getting from organic search. Use Google Analytics to monitor your traffic.
- 5.5medium4 hours
Analyze User Behavior
Analyze user behavior on your website to see how users are interacting with your content. Use Google Analytics to track user behavior.
- 5.6high4 hours
Track Conversions
Set up conversion tracking in Google Analytics to track your website's goals, such as form submissions or sales. This will help you measure the ROI of your SEO efforts.
- 5.7medium4 hours
Create Custom Reports
Create custom reports in Google Analytics to track the metrics that are most important to your business. This will help you gain insights into your website's performance.
- 5.8medium2 hours
Monitor Backlink Profile
Regularly monitor your backlink profile to identify any toxic or low-quality backlinks that could be harming your search rankings. Use tools like Ahrefs or Majestic to monitor your backlinks.
- 5.9high4 hours
Analyze Competitor Performance
Analyze the SEO performance of your competitors to identify opportunities for improvement. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to analyze your competitors.
- 5.10medium4 hours
Generate Monthly Reports
Create monthly reports to track your SEO progress and identify areas for improvement. Share these reports with your team and stakeholders.
Pro tips
- Prioritize keywords that align with your target accounts' pain points and business goals. Focus on keywords related to integration, scale, and adoption of ABM solutions.
- Leverage intent data from platforms like Bombora to identify accounts that are actively researching ABM solutions.
- Create content that addresses the specific needs of your target accounts, such as case studies, white papers, and webinars.
- Use personalization to tailor your content and messaging to each target account. Tools like Demandbase can help with personalization.
- Continuously monitor your SEO performance and adjust your strategy as needed. Stay up-to-date on the latest SEO best practices and algorithm updates.