15 Things You MUST Do Before Publishing Your Blog Post

Hey there, fellow content creators! Let’s discuss something crucial that can transform your blog post draft from good to excellent.

Writing a blog post is no small task. From brainstorming ideas to polishing your final draft, a lot of effort goes into creating content that resonates with your audience.

But here’s the deal: writing a good blog post is just half the battle. The real magic happens before you hit that “Publish” button.

I’ve been blogging for years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, skipping a proper pre-publish checklist is like running a marathon but stopping just before the finish line.

Frustrating, right?

That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate guide to help you confidently publish your blog posts.

Over the years, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that a little extra time spent polishing your post can make a huge difference in its success.

So, here’s my guide to the 12 things you must do before your post goes live.

1. Do Keyword Research Like a Pro

Keyword research isn’t just about stuffing words into your post. It’s about understanding what your audience is searching for and tailoring your content to meet those needs.

For example, if you’re writing a post about “beginner photography tips,” tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs can show you what phrases people use.

You might find that “how to take professional photos with a smartphone” is a popular search.

Here’s my simple process:

1. Start with a broad topic idea.
2. Use keyword tools to find specific, low-competition terms.
3. Look at Google’s “People Also Ask” section for related questions.

Once you have your keywords, sprinkle them naturally into your post. Use them in the title, meta description, headings, and a few times in the body text.

But remember, write for humans first, not search engines.

2. Use Tags and Categories (Properly)

Tags and categories aren’t just for organizing your blog; they are essential in user experience and SEO. Think of them as a filing system that helps readers find related content on your site.

How to use them effectively:

• Categories: These are broad topics or sections of your site. To avoid confusion, each post should belong to only one or two categories.
• Tags: These are more specific and describe the finer details of your post. Use keywords or related terms as tags, but don’t overdo it—stick to 5–10 relevant ones.

For example, if your post is about “Beginner SEO Tips,” the category could be “SEO,” and tags might include “keyword research,” “on-page SEO,” and “SEO tools.”

3. Write a Headline That Grabs Attention

Your headline is the first impression your blog post makes. They’ll scroll past it if it doesn’t catch someone’s eye.

A great headline can increase your click-through rate (CTR) and drive more traffic to your site.

Here’s how I craft irresistible headlines:

• Use numbers: People love lists! “12 Things You MUST Do Before You Hit Publish” works better than “What to Do Before Publishing a Blog Post.”
• Make it specific: Instead of “Blogging Tips,” try “10 Proven Blogging Tips to Double Your Traffic.”
• Add urgency: Phrases like “must-read,” “you need to know,” or “before it’s too late” create a sense of urgency.

Experiment with different formats, and don’t hesitate to use tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer to refine your title.

4. Craft an Irresistible Meta Description

Think of the meta description as your blog post’s sales pitch. It appears under your headline on search engine results pages (SERPs) and significantly convinces people to click.

Tips for a killer meta description:

• Keep it under 160 characters so it doesn’t get cut off.
• Include your primary keyword early on.
• Make it actionable: Use phrases like “Learn how to…” or “Discover the best way to…”

For example, if your post is about SEO tips, a meta description could be:

“Learn 12 essential SEO tips to optimize your blog posts and boost traffic. Perfect for beginners looking to improve rankings!”

5. Clean Up Your URL

A clean URL is like a clear road sign—it helps readers and search engines understand your post.

However, long, messy URLs can hurt your SEO and make your content look unprofessional.

What makes a good URL?

• Short and simple: Avoid unnecessary words like “the” or “and.”
• Keyword-rich: Include your primary keyword.
• Easy to read: Use hyphens to separate words.

Example:

• Bad: www.myblog.com/2024/01/post-12345-how-to-write-blogs
• Good: www.myblog.com/how-to-write-blogs

Most blogging platforms let you edit your URL before publishing, so take advantage of that!

6. Use Headings and Subheadings to Organize Your Post

Headings aren’t just for decoration—they’re essential for readability and SEO. They act as signposts, guiding readers through your content.

Why headings matter:

1. Improved readability: Breaking your post into sections makes it easier to follow.
2. SEO benefits: Search engines use headings to understand the structure of your content.
3. Accessibility: Headings make your content more accessible to screen readers.

Use H1 for your main title, H2 for major sections, and H3 for subsections. For example:

• H1: 12 Things You MUST Do Before You Hit Publish
  • H2: Do Keyword Research Like a Pro
    • H3: Tools for Keyword Research

7. Break It Down for Readability

When people read online, they skim. If your post looks overwhelming, they’ll leave. That’s why formatting is so important.

My go-to tips:

• Short paragraphs: Stick to 2–3 sentences per paragraph.
• Bullet points and lists: These make key information stand out.
• Bold important phrases: Highlight key takeaways to grab attention.

I also like to add a summary or key points section at the end of longer posts. This helps readers who need more time get the gist of your article.

8. Add Links That Make Sense

Links aren’t just for SEO—they’re also a way to build trust and provide extra value to your readers. However, not all links are created equal.

Types of links to include:

1. Internal links: These direct readers to other posts on your blog. For example, if you mention SEO tools, link to your post on “Top 10 Free SEO Tools.”
2. External links: These point to authoritative sources. For example, if you reference a statistic, provide a link to the study or article where you found it.

A good rule of thumb is to include 2–3 internal and 1–2 external links per 1,000 words.

9. Include Stunning Images

Visuals aren’t just lovely to look at—they can make your post more engaging and memorable. According to research, articles with images get 94% more views than those without.

How to use images effectively:

• Choose relevant visuals: Make sure your images match the content.
• Compress for speed: Use tools like TinyPNG to reduce file size without sacrificing quality.
• Add alt text: Describe the image in a way that includes your keyword. This helps with accessibility and SEO.

10. Make Sure to Include a Featured Image

Your featured image is the visual representation of your blog post. It’s what readers see when your post is shared on social media or displayed on your blog’s homepage.

A good featured image can grab attention and set the tone for your post.

Tips for selecting the right featured image:

• Stay relevant: Choose an image that aligns with your post’s topic.
• Use professional visuals: Avoid blurry or pixelated images. Free stock photo sites like Unsplash or Pexels are great resources.
• Add text overlay: If the platform supports it, include the post’s title on the image for better visibility.

11. Proofread—Twice!

Let’s face it: more than a single read-through is needed.

Typos, grammar mistakes, or awkward sentences can easily slip through the cracks.

Proofreading makes your post polished and ensures you’re putting out professional content that readers trust.

My proofreading process:

1. First pass: Look for glaring issues like typos and formatting errors.
2. Second pass: Focus on flow, clarity, and tone. Read the post out loud to catch awkward phrasing.
3. Final check: Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway App for a last-minute scan.

Step away from the post for a few hours (or a day) before proofreading again if you have time. Fresh eyes make all the difference.

12. Check for Mobile-Friendliness

With more than half of web traffic from mobile devices, a mobile-friendly blog is non-negotiable. If your site doesn’t look good on a phone, readers will bounce faster than you can say “SEO.”

How to test mobile-friendliness:

• Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
• Check your blog post on different devices and browsers.
• Ensure text is readable without zooming and buttons are easy to tap.

13. Add a Call-to-Action (CTA)

What’s the point of your post? Whether it’s to drive traffic, get comments, or sell something, you need a clear call-to-action (CTA) to guide readers.

Examples of CTAs:

• “Subscribe to my newsletter for more blogging tips!”
• “Leave a comment and share your favorite tip.”
• “Check out my related post: [10 Ways to Write Viral Blog Posts].”

Place your CTA at the end of your post, and don’t be afraid to include subtle reminders throughout.

14. Make Sharing a Breeze

Want more eyes on your blog post?

Make it easy for readers to share your content. Adding social sharing buttons can increase your post’s reach significantly.

Pro tips:

• Use a plugin like Social Warfare to add attractive sharing buttons.
• Include a “Click to Tweet” option for quotable lines in your post.
• Write share-friendly descriptions for platforms like Pinterest and Facebook.

15. Add a Question at the End to Encourage Comments

Engagement is the lifeblood of a successful blog, and one of the best ways to spark a conversation is by asking your readers a question.

A well-placed question makes readers feel part of the discussion and increases the likelihood of comments.

Example questions to include:

• “What’s your favorite tip from this list? Let me know in the comments!”
• “Have you tried any of these strategies? Share your experience below!”
• “What’s one thing you always do before publishing your posts?”

Make your question open-ended and easy to answer. Avoid yes/no questions that don’t invite further dialogue.

Final Thoughts

Hitting “Publish” is an exciting moment, but it’s also a responsibility.

By following this checklist, you’re not just posting a blog—you’re creating a valuable resource that readers (and search engines) will appreciate.

So, take your time, double-check everything, and give your blog post the best chance to succeed.

Trust me, those extra few minutes of effort are worth it.

Now, go and create something unique!

Learn More >> [Related Post: How to Write Blog Posts That People Can’t Stop Reading]