What Is an SEO Action Plan (and Why Your Business Needs One)
If your website isn’t getting the visibility it deserves, it can be hard to know what to fix, what to prioritise, or even where to start. That’s where an SEO action plan comes in.
In this article, I’ll explain what an SEO action plan is, what it should include, and how having one can help you move from SEO confusion to clarity.
What Is an SEO Action Plan?
An SEO action plan is a clear, structured set of recommendations designed to improve your website’s visibility in search engines. It covers the key areas affecting your site’s performance – such as technical setup, on-page content, site structure, and off-page signals – and tells you exactly what to fix, why it matters, and how to do it.
Think of it as a roadmap: not just a list of problems, but a prioritised plan of action tailored to your website, your goals, and your audience.
What Should an SEO Action Plan Include?
Every site is different, but a good SEO action plan will typically cover:
- Technical SEO – issues with crawling, indexing, speed, mobile usability, etc.
- Content & Keywords – how well your pages match what people are searching for
- Site Structure – internal linking, navigation, and hierarchy
- Off-Page Factors – your backlink profile and online reputation
- Analytics Setup – to make sure you’re tracking what matters
It should also explain what to do next, in plain English – not a 50-page data dump.
How Is an SEO Action Plan Different from an SEO Audit?
An SEO audit usually tells you what’s wrong. An SEO action plan tells you what to do – and in what order.
Audits are often tool-driven and packed with technical detail. An action plan filters the noise and focuses on what will actually move the needle for your business.
Who Needs an SEO Action Plan?
An SEO action plan is ideal if:
- You’re not ready for a full-time SEO consultant or agency
- Your rankings have dropped and you’re not sure why
- You want expert input without the long-term commitment
- You’ve tried a few things but aren’t seeing results
- You want a second opinion on your current SEO setup
It’s particularly useful for small business owners who want straight answers and a plan they can act on – with or without external help.
What Happens After I Have My Plan?
With the right plan in place, you can:
- Work through fixes in priority order
- Brief your developer or copywriter with confidence
- Track results over time knowing what to look for
- Avoid wasting time on low-impact SEO tasks
And if you do need help, you’ll be in a much better position to brief an agency or freelancer.
Need an SEO Action Plan You Can Trust?
At Slingshot Search, I offer a one-off, one-day SEO service that gives you a clear, practical action plan tailored to your site. No retainers, no fluff – just expert advice you can actually use.
Book your discovery call today.
Want to fix your SEO without committing to a long-term contract?
Book your call and let’s get your website sorted.