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The Blog Post Checklist: Use Before Hitting “Publish”

By Donny 75 Comments Reading Time: 5 minutes

Table of Contents

  • 1. Did I read the post after writing it?
  • 2. Is the post as complete as it could be?
  • 3. Did I research the related keywords?
  • 4. Did I craft the title carefully?
  • 5. Did I proofread it?
  • 6. Did I link to one or more of my older posts?
  • 7. Did I link to external resources when appropriate?
  • 8. Did I make sure all links are working?
  • 9. Did I credit any sources I might have used?
  • 10. Did I include an enticing image?
  • 11. Did I optimize the permalink?
  • 12. Did I add one or more elements to engage readers?
  • 13. Is this a good day for traffic?
      • About Donny

How many times have you published a post, only to find out you forgot to proofread and that many typos slipped through? What about when the links you included are broken, when you used the wrong keywords, or when you forgot to optimize the post title?

As you can see, there are many things one should check before hitting the “Publish” button, and most of us forget about them. That is why I decided to create “The Blog Post Checklist,” with a list of things you should check before publishing your post. You’ll find it useful especially for those long, linkbait type articles you publish once in a while (what I call “killer articles“).

Below you’ll find a description of all the checks, but you can also download a PDF version to print and fix above your computer.

checklist-preview

1. Did I read the post after writing it?

Common sense as it sounds, most people don’t read what they just wrote before publishing it. This is a mistake, because unless you read your article as an integral piece you won’t be able to tell if the whole thing makes sense, if the paragraphs and sentences are in the right order, if the arguments are solid and so on.

Before anything else, therefore, read what you just wrote from top to bottom.

2. Is the post as complete as it could be?

If you want to generate as much traffic as possible and to get as many backlinks as possible, you need to make sure that your post is as complete as it could be. If you completed the previous check you should also be able to evaluate whether or not you could add more sections and explanations.

For example, you might be writing a software review, and your post is focused on the features of the software. What about the installation process? What about the compatibility of the software with other programs? These are all aspects you could include, making the post more valuable to potential readers. If you want to read more on this topic check these 10 tips to write popular posts.

3. Did I research the related keywords?

Keywords rule search engines (and the web, as a consequence). If you want to maximize your traffic you need to use the same keywords that most people use. First of all because this will make your post easier to understand. Second because it will help with the search engine optimization.

For instance, you might be writing a post about gaming notebooks. But should you call it “gaming notebooks” or “game laptops”? After using the Google AdWords Keyword Tool you would discover that the term “game notebooks” is searched by 8,000 people every month, while “gaming laptops” is searched by over 60,000 people. This means that the latter is much more widespread, and you probably should go with it.

4. Did I craft the title carefully?

The title of your post is the most important part. Even more important than the body of the post itself, because unless the title grabs the attention of visitors, they won’t read the post.

First of all make sure your title has an emotional hook. For example, you could get the reader excited by offering something of great value (e.g., “100 Photoshop Tutorials to Become a PSD Ninja”), or you could get the reader curious by making an unusual statement (e.g., “5 Things Chuck Norris Can Teach You About Marketing”).

Second, remember to use the main keywords of your post in the title, as this will help with the search engine optimization.

5. Did I proofread it?

I know you have already read your post once to make sure the ideas make sense and the paragraphs are in the right order. However, you’ll need to read it once more, to proofread it.

This time focus on spotting grammar and spelling mistakes. Here are a couple of tricks you can use for this purpose: read your article backwards or read it out loud. Both of these methods will allow you to focus on the single words, making it easier to spot the mistakes.

6. Did I link to one or more of my older posts?

Linking to older posts inside your blog is a practice that helps both human visitors and search bots. It helps human visitors because it lets them explore your archives, possibly complementing or expanding on the information they have just read. It helps search bots because it lets them crawl your site more efficiently, and it also helps them to understand your content (through the link anchor text).

Before publishing the post, take some time to find older posts you can link to.

7. Did I link to external resources when appropriate?

Do not be afraid of linking to external websites. You’ll not lose PageRank, and you’ll not lose readers.

If your content is solid, you’ll only be enriching it by linking to relevant external resources. If you mention a particular tool in your post, for instance, link to it. If you mention a term that readers might not be familiar with, link to the respective Wikipedia entry.

8. Did I make sure all links are working?

All it takes to break a link is to omit a letter, a dot, or to add an extra http:// heading. For example, if you write http://www.siteyouwannalinkto.co the link is not going to work. Similarly, if you write http://http://www.siteyouwannalinkto.com the link is not going to work either. The impact on the user experience, however, is quite significant. If your visitors can’t click on a link you mentioned and find the website they’ll get frustrated.

Before publishing the post use the “Preview” feature of your blogging software and click on all the links to make sure they are working and pointing to the correct URL.

9. Did I credit any sources I might have used?

If your post was inspired by something you read somewhere else, credit it. Similarly, if you used information that came from a particular website or blog, make sure to mention and link to it. This will be fair with the original author, and it will also be useful to your readers, as they will be able to track where everything is coming from.

One post that inspired me to write this one was 13 Questions to Ask Before Publishing a Post On Your Blog, by Darren Rowse. Even though I had read it back in 2023, the idea probably kept wandering in my head, until I finally decided to write my own take on the issue.

10. Did I include an enticing image?

If an image is worth a thousands words, why not use one in your post? Images are a great way to entice people to read the rest of your post. They can also help with the search engine optimization, and bring some traffic from Google image search.

Check out the post Where to Find Images for Your Blog to discover the image sources I use.

11. Did I optimize the permalink?

Most publishing platforms and software allow you to edit the permalink of each post you publish. You should use this feature to make sure your permalinks are concise, and that they contain your main keywords.

Apart from making the permalink look cleaner, this will also help with your search engine optimization and possibly increase the amount of traffic you’ll get from Google and company.

12. Did I add one or more elements to engage readers?

Every blog owner should be trying to build a community around his blog, and engaging readers with your content is one of the best strategies to achieve this.

Practically speaking you could ask them a question at the end of the post, include a poll, make a call to action, use their feedback directly in your post and so on.

13. Is this a good day for traffic?

Even if you have written a masterpiece, you’ll not get the best possible result if you publish it on a Sunday. The best days for traffic are usually Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. But make sure to track your traffic numbers, so you can be sure of the best day for your blog.

Second, keep an eye on international holidays. If you live in the UK, for example, you should check the list of US federal holidays and avoid publishing your killer article on any of these dates.

Over to the readers: Would you add anything to this checklist?

The Blog Post Checklist: Use Before Hitting “Publish” Photo

About Donny

I’m Donny. I can sum myself up with four simple ways. Online Entrepreneur. Author. Investor. World Traveler

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar of Tim LopezonTim Lopezon says

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    Thanks for the PDF. I’ll be using for future reference.

    Reply
  2. Avatar of Lisa GorringeonLisa Gorringeon says

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    Daniel

    Reply
  3. Avatar of JoyonJoyon says

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    What a fantastic checklist. I slipped up today. While commenting on a blog, I noticed the linkback to my most recent post had a word missing which changed the whole meaning. I’ve corrected it now, but it should never have got passed in the first place if I had checked better.

    Reply
  4. Avatar of Blog course in spanishonBlog course in spanishon says

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    I would add this one: Did I encourage Readers to leave a comment?

    Reply
  5. Avatar of Janet CallawayonJanet Callawayon says

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    Terrific checklist. I must admit to an “oops” or two after hitting publish. This list will definitely come in handy. Even though I know it was posted on twitter I am going to tweet and post to fb as there are many new bloggers since you first wrote it. Mahalo. Janet

    Reply
  6. Avatar of FarnooshonFarnooshon says

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    Hi Daniel, I was going through and I was nodding my head on every single one which is really good – I have come further than my older habits and newer blogging days :)! … until the last one….so I have liked/enjoyed publishing on Tuesdays and Fridays – not realizing Fridays are not good – I thought Fridays are peak traffic times – Sat and Sun I do believe are slower….care to comment more please on why Fridays have shown to be slower days? Thanks so much!

    Reply
  7. Avatar of Adam SnyderonAdam Snyderon says

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    I totally agree with you, blogging is all about feeling and getting what is on your mind onto others minds. If you went through this entire list and dissected your post you would not have fun doing it and you would lose a lot of that one on one feeling that is conveyed in writing.

    Reply
  8. Avatar of Alan AshwoodonAlan Ashwoodon says

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    This is exactly what I need. I was created with a disorganised mind, which, when I’m posting meanders and wander too much. I know my intentions are good, but get distracted while I’m scribing, leading to long posts which may not actually be getting to the point.

    Reply
  9. Avatar of Olin HydeonOlin Hydeon says

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    Great article with solid advice.

    Reply
  10. Avatar of Christian GuicoonChristian Guicoon says

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    Bookmarked. I’ll definitely refer to these guidelines before I hit the Publish button.

    Reply
  11. Avatar of BudionBudion says

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    I did some of them, but mostly i forgot to do that. Good tips, reminds me to be more carefull on publishing a post..

    Reply
  12. Avatar of JitendraonJitendraon says

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    very useful information..thanks a lot

    Reply
  13. Avatar of Sheryl CooleyonSheryl Cooleyon says

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    Good ideas! I would add: Did I go back later and look at the post with fresh eyes? Seems to me I’m always missing something at the time of the post because I “see” what I think I wrote, not what’s actually on the page.

    Reply
  14. Avatar of Elaine GreenbergonElaine Greenbergon says

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    @Web Designer, London: Thank you for addressing this point. One of my weaknesses…

    Reply
  15. Avatar of Bill MorganonBill Morganon says

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    Simple but so easily forgotten in the haste of putting out an articlie on the blog.
    I know others would probably add to go out to 3 similar articles on the internet, comment and create a backlink to your article that way.
    Overall though I need to do these better… especially a captivating title. I don’t keyword that enough.

    Reply
  16. Avatar of Web Designer, LondononWeb Designer, Londonon says

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    The importance of internal linking cannot be undermined. There is no point in linking only to your commercial pages purely for the sake of passing page rank and influence. Its also best to keep the number of off page links to under 10.

    Reply
  17. Avatar of JeffonJeffon says

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    What about formatting your post correctly? Make sure photos are sized correctly with adequate margins. Make sure any video is sized right for the width of your template. Make sure paragraph breaks are correct. All mistakes I have made and I could go on…

    Reply
  18. Avatar of Jorgen SundbergonJorgen Sundbergon says

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    Great tips, many thanks for sharing. I have printed and will stick on the wall!

    Reply
  19. Avatar of pochonpochon says

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    Hey Daniel,
    I learned some things from this again. Thanks.

    Reply
  20. Avatar of Sheryl CooleyonSheryl Cooleyon says

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    Good list! There’s one more thing I try to do, though, when I post a blog. I go back and read it an hour later. Proofing it just after I’ve finished writing it doesn’t always work as well as I’d like. I tend to see what I think I’ve written, not what’s really there.

    Reply
  21. Avatar of simononsimonon says

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    Thanks for the tips sir. Ussually, I forget to read the post, and I just submit directly.

    Reply
  22. Avatar of Latief@AnotherBloggeron[email protected] says

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    Thanks for remind me, did few of them and the other will be my concern in the future when I want to post a content. Thanks Daniel

    Reply
  23. Avatar of Lavina MelwanionLavina Melwanion says

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    Hi Daniel,
    Thanks for an excellent checklist. I do subscribe to your newsletter and always learn something new. What do you mean by optimizing the permalinks?
    I have a WordPress blog with a Mimbo theme and after posting on the home page, I later place the articles also in other categories like books, art, etc. Would this be considered duplicate content and damage Google ranking?
    If I keep it only in a single category, I would have to change the permalink somewhat (from 24/7 to art or people) and would that alteration break the permalink? Appreciate your insights!

    Reply
  24. Avatar of Elaine GreenbergonElaine Greenbergon says

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    Excellent post and great timing. Yesterday, I composed my own checklist because I realized I was leaving out some key steps.

    Reply
  25. Avatar of Mike RoosaonMike Roosaon says

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    Just recently wrote about checklists myself. They are a necessity to doing anything productively.

    Reply
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