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SEO Strategies for Modern Web Applications

Andrew McMillan•Dec 10, 2025•6 min read
SEO Strategies for Modern Web Applications

Search engine optimization does not have to be complicated. Most wins come from getting the basics right. Here are the fundamentals that actually move the needle.

Page Titles That Work

Your page title is the most important on-page SEO element. It shows up in search results and browser tabs.

💎

Title Formula

Use this format: Primary Keyword | Brand Name

Keep it under 60 characters so it does not get cut off in search results.

In Next.js, set it like this:

// app/page.tsx
export const metadata = {
  title: 'Web Development Services | dinocode',
  description: 'Custom web development for startups and small businesses.',
}

Good titles are:

  • Descriptive - Tell users what the page is about
  • Unique - Each page needs its own title
  • Front-loaded - Put important keywords first

Meta Descriptions Matter

Meta descriptions do not directly affect rankings, but they affect whether people click.

🚀

Meta Description Formula

Write 150-160 characters. Include your primary keyword naturally. End with a reason to click.

Good example:

Learn practical SEO strategies for modern web apps. Simple tips to improve search rankings without the technical jargon. Start optimizing today.

Bad example:

SEO services. Web optimization. Digital marketing. Click here for more information about our services.

The good example tells you what you will learn and why it is worth reading.

Image Alt Text

Every image needs alt text. It helps search engines understand your content and makes your site accessible.

📘

Accessibility Bonus

Good alt text helps both SEO and users who rely on screen readers. Two wins from one change.

Good alt text: "Team collaborating around a whiteboard with sticky notes"

Bad alt text: "image" or "team meeting business professional collaboration SEO keywords"

Describe what is in the image. Do not stuff keywords.

<!-- Good -->
<img src="/team.jpg" alt="Team collaborating around a whiteboard with sticky notes" />

<!-- Bad -->
<img src="/team.jpg" alt="business team meeting collaboration professional" />

Internal Linking Strategy

Internal links help search engines discover and understand the relationships between your pages.

✅

Easy Win

Link to 2-3 related pages in every blog post. Use descriptive text instead of "click here."

Good linking:

For more on this topic, read our web performance optimization guide since page speed affects rankings.

Bad linking:

For more information, click here.

The good example tells both users and search engines what the linked page is about.

Technical SEO Checklist

⚠️

Common Mistakes

These technical issues hurt your SEO even if your content is great.

Quick wins to check:

  • Mobile friendly - Test with Google's Mobile-Friendly Test
  • Fast loading - Aim for under 3 seconds on mobile
  • HTTPS - Secure connection is a ranking factor
  • No broken links - Check regularly with a crawler
  • Sitemap - Submit to Google Search Console
<!-- Example sitemap.xml -->
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9">
  <url>
    <loc>https://yoursite.com/</loc>
    <lastmod>2025-12-10</lastmod>
  </url>
</urlset>

Key Takeaways

SEO success comes from:

  • Titles under 60 characters with keywords first
  • Meta descriptions that make people want to click
  • Alt text that describes images accurately
  • Internal links with descriptive anchor text
  • Technical basics: fast, mobile-friendly, secure

Focus on these fundamentals before chasing advanced tactics.

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