The Essential New Content Checklist for WordPress Creators

As a WordPress publisher, creating and publishing new content can be both exciting and overwhelming. From keyword optimization to formatting and SEO, there are countless details to track—way more than I like to keep track of in my head!  

That’s where a new content checklist comes in handy. A well-thought-out checklist ensures your content is consistent and optimized for success — you don’t want to spend all that time creating a new recipe or tutorial only to have it fall flat in search results. 

Whether you’re a solo blogger or managing a team, here’s how to use Clariti to create a comprehensive new content checklist you use as a starting point and tailor to your site and team.

Why You Need a Content Checklist

A content checklist helps streamline your workflow and ensure every piece of content is fully optimized and ready for success. It also:

• Improves consistency across your posts, especially if you’re working with a team.
• Saves time by streamlining your process.
• Boosts SEO performance.
• Helps you avoid any careless mistakes.
• Improves overall content organization. 

The Curbly New Content Checklist Project 

This is the new content checklist that we use on the Curbly site. You can also see this in action and try it on our Demo site here.

From the top navigation, go to Projects > New Content Checklist. 

Then, select the project you want to see in detail. In this case, it’s the ‘New Content Checklist.’ Here you can see all of the individual tasks associated with the project. Each task will be assigned to every piece of content added to the Project.  

You can also open up a single post in the Clariti app, and see the Project and tasks in this view. This is the view our team typically works from. It’s especially helpful to see all the details in the Overview and Content tabs for a post when working through a new content checklist.

Here’s what you’ll find in the Curbly ‘New Content Checklist’ Project:

• Add tag ‘New Content 2024’
• Add inbound links
• Add internal links
• The featured image is 1200 x 1200
• All images have alt tags
• Index post in GSC
• External links open in a new tab
• Meta description
• Resolve any flagged issues 
• Check image file sizes
• Schedule post for sharing on social and email.

Other ideas you may want to add to your project:

• Check for a headline that includes keywords.
• Check for short paragraphs.
• Grammar and spell check.
• Check that the primary keyword appears in the title, meta description, and URL.
• Use of secondary keywords naturally throughout the content.
• Use of the correct heading structure (H1 for titles, H2 for main sections, etc.).
• Addition of call-to-action buttons or links.
• Preview the post to check for formatting errors.
• Check for mobile responsiveness.
• Test all links for accuracy and functionality.
• Confirm compliance with accessibility standards (e.g., alt text for images, captions for videos).
• Set reminders to monitor analytics to track performance.
• Set reminders to refresh content — great for seasonal content.

Customize the Checklist for Your Team

If you’re managing a team, involve them in the checklist creation process. Tailor the checklist (or multiple project lists) to account for specific roles, such as writers, editors, social, or SEO specialists. Using a tool like Clariti is a great way to keep everyone on the same page.

As your goals or strategies evolve, so should your checklist. Review and update it regularly to reflect new tools, algorithm updates, or team feedback.

A well-structured content checklist can transform your WordPress publishing workflow from chaotic to streamlined. By focusing on quality, consistency, and optimization, you’ll not only create better content but also grow your audience more effectively.

Take the time to craft your checklist today—your future self (and your readers) will thank you! 🚀

What’s on your content checklist? Share your tips or tools in the comments!