Strikingly SEO Guide: Complete Tutorial for 2026

This guide walks through how to audit, configure, optimize, and monitor a Strikingly site so it can earn more organic visibility. If you manage a course, small SaaS landing page, or an education site on Strikingly, you’ll learn what data to collect, which platform settings matter, how to plan pillar-and-cluster content, and specific fixes for on-page and technical limits. Practical checklists and troubleshooting steps are included so you can act on issues immediately.

TL;DR:

• Run a monthly lightweight audit capturing GSC index coverage, PageSpeed Insights scores, mobile usability, and sitemap presence; log changes and prioritize three fixes.

• Build a pillar-and-cluster content map for course pages (one pillar + ~6 clusters), prioritize by search volume and difficulty, and publish consistently using scheduling and CMS publishing.

• Fix top technical issues first (SSL/DNS, sitemap submitted, image optimization, 301 redirects), then monitor with Search Console and iterate internal linking.

Step 1: Audit Your Strikingly Site (strikingly SEO Guide)

What to Check First

Start with these core checks and collect the exact numbers. A single-row spreadsheet is fine.

• Google Search Console index coverage: number of valid pages, warnings, and errors (copy sample error messages).

• PageSpeed Insights performance score (desktop and mobile) and lab metrics for LCP, CLS, and FID.

• Mobile usability issues reported in GSC.

• Presence of sitemap.xml and robots.txt (visit /sitemap.xml and /robots.txt).

• SSL status and mixed-content warnings (look in the browser console).

• Basic crawl test: fetch as Google or use the URL Inspection tool for a sample of pages.

Record the date and the metric. Repeat monthly. For a Strikingly site, host-level control is limited, so tracking trends matters more than absolute perfection.

Include a content quality column: run a short editorial review on at least your top 10 pages using a content QA checklist. That ensures pages are not only indexable but useful.

Quick Wins Vs. Deep Issues

Quick wins (do in a few hours)

• Verify property in Google Search Console and submit sitemap.xml.

• Fix obvious mobile usability nits (font sizes, tappable targets).

• Add missing meta titles or unique descriptions on top pages.

Deep issues (may need more time or platform workarounds)

• Persistent performance problems from third-party scripts or large hosted media.

• Canonicalization conflicts when Strikingly exposes both www and non-www versions.

• Large-scale content gaps that require a content program.

For guidance on foundational SEO principles, see the Google search engine optimization (SEO) starter guide.

Step 2: Configure Site-level Settings on Strikingly (strikingly SEO Guide)

Domain, SSL, and Canonical Setup

Make your preferred absolute URL the canonical. Steps:

• Set a custom domain in Strikingly and confirm DNS A/CNAME records are correct.

• Ensure the site shows a valid SSL lock (HTTPS). If there is mixed content, identify offending resources via the browser console and replace or host them securely.

• Verify the canonical served in the page HTML matches your preferred URL. Use the URL Inspection tool in GSC to confirm Google sees the correct canonical.

After changes, re-submit the sitemap in Search Console and watch index coverage for the next 48–72 hours.

Site Title and Global Meta Defaults

Set site-level defaults that appear across multiple pages:

• Site Title: a short brand + category string (for example: Company Name — Online Courses).

• Default meta description template: a concise fallback used when page-level descriptions are missing.

These defaults reduce accidental duplicate snippets and provide consistent NAP elements for local properties—pair this with your local SEO setup if you list physical class locations.

Sitemap and Robots Controls

Confirm Strikingly exposes a sitemap at /sitemap.xml and a robots.txt at /robots.txt. If you can't access them:

• Check with Strikingly support for platform settings.

• Use robots.txt to ensure you are not blocking the site unintentionally.

Submit the sitemap in Google Search Console and monitor the indexed vs. submitted ratio. Small changes in site-wide settings can cause large swings in indexing; track these in your audit log at least monthly. For context on the scale of search volume and rationale for keeping your sitemap accurate, review recent SEO statistics for 2026 that highlight search trends and query churn.

(See "2026 SEO statistics: the key figures to watch" for context: Seo statistics)

Step 3: Build a Content Strategy and Keyword Map for Strikingly (strikingly SEO Guide)

Define Pillar Pages and Cluster Topics

For an education/course site, one clear approach:

• Pillar page: Course category landing page (e.g., "Full-Stack JavaScript Bootcamp").

• Cluster pages (6 examples): curriculum outline, module deep-dives, instructor bios, pricing comparison, FAQ, case studies or student outcomes.

Example cluster map:

• Pillar: Full-Stack JavaScript Bootcamp (target: broad program keywords)

• Cluster 1: "JavaScript course syllabus" (informational)

• Cluster 2: "Best online bootcamp for front-end" (comparative)

• Cluster 3: "How long is a coding bootcamp?" (transactional/intent)

• Cluster 4: Instructor profile pages (authority signals)

• Cluster 5: Course FAQ (captures question keywords)

• Cluster 6: Student projects and outcomes (social proof + long-tail queries)

Use search volume, keyword difficulty, and relevance as numeric filters. For tools that genuinely help with keyword research and content production, see our AI tools overview.

Keyword Intent and Prioritization

Prioritize keywords with a balance of relevance and opportunity:

• High priority: Relevant keywords with medium volume and low-to-medium difficulty.

• Medium priority: Higher volume but higher difficulty—good for longer-term work.

• Low priority: Very long-tail or low-conversion informational topics that serve supporting traffic.

Quantify priority with a simple score: (Relevance 0–3) + (Traffic 0–3) - (Difficulty 0–3). Focus initial publishing on pages that score 3–6.

An education-focused example keyword map is available in our course keyword map and you can borrow structure ideas from our education content examples.

Content Cadence and Templates

Small teams should aim for realistic cadence:

• Publish one pillar and 2–4 cluster pages in month one.

• Then publish 2–4 cluster pages monthly thereafter.

Create content templates for pillars, cluster posts, and FAQ pages. Templates should include:

• Target keyword and intent

• Suggested H1 and H2s

• Internal linking slots back to pillar and sibling clusters

• Metadata fields (title, meta description, schema)

For benchmark data on search behavior and why consistent content matters, review Ahrefs' collection of 2026 SEO statistics: Seo statistics

Step 4: Optimize On-page Elements on Strikingly (strikingly SEO Guide)

Headings, Meta Tags, and Snippet Targeting

Structure pages for clarity:

• H1: Unique and contains target phrase or a close variant.

• H2s: Use for logical subtopics and include LSI (related) phrases.

• Meta title: Keep under ~60 characters; front-load the most important words.

• Meta description: Write a 110–150 character summary that answers intent and includes a strong action or USP.

Example meta title template for a course page:

• "Full-Stack JavaScript Bootcamp — 12-Week Online Course | Brand"

Example meta description:

• "Study full-stack JavaScript with project-based curriculum, live instructors, and career support. Apply for the next cohort."

Images, Alt Text, and Lazy Loading

Images should be optimized:

• Use WebP or compressed JPEGs, target under 300 KB per image where possible.

• Alt text: describe the image function in 5–15 words; include target keywords only when relevant and natural.

• Use browser-based lazy loading or platform-provided lazy loading to defer offscreen images.

If you host large video files or many high-resolution images, consider external hosting to avoid platform slowdowns.

Schema, Faqs, and Youtube Embeds

Add structured data where it helps:

• Use Course schema for course landing pages.

• Use Article schema for blog posts and FAQPage for Q&A sections.

• For FAQ schema, keep Q/A pairs short and accurate.

Embedding YouTube is helpful for course previews and helps users decide to enroll. Embed responsibly—use video only when it adds value and host transcripts on the page.

Watch a practical walkthrough showing where to paste schema and how to embed videos on Strikingly. The video shows the UI steps and reduces confusion about where to place code or meta fields.

For discussion on AI-generated content quality and when to use it on pages, see our article on can AI-generated content rank on Google. Also review small-team AI tips for quality control on on-page copy and our header best practices for H1–H3 structure.

Step 5: Fix Technical SEO and Performance Limits on Strikingly (strikingly SEO Guide)

Speed and Core Web Vitals Workarounds

Target performance ranges:

• LCP: under 2.5s (aim <2.5s)

• CLS: under 0.1

• FID/INP: keep interactive delays low

Practical fixes on Strikingly:

• Compress and serve optimized images (WebP).

• Avoid heavy third-party widgets (chat widgets, bulky analytics scripts).

• Limit autoplay video and large background media.

• Prefer text and lightweight SVGs over large hero images where possible.

Use PageSpeed Insights to get lab and field metrics. If platform limitations cause persistent problems, host large assets externally via a CDN and embed them.

For evidence on why speed matters and common misconceptions, see the Semrush list of SEO statistics: Seo statistics

Redirects, Canonical Tags, and Pagination

Strikingly supports basic 301 redirects; use them to:

• Redirect legacy URLs to canonical pages.

• Normalize www vs non-www or HTTP → HTTPS.

Check canonical tags in the page HTML and use URL Inspection to confirm Google honors them. For paginated course lists, use rel="next/prev" patterns or consolidate content into single pages if pagination hurts UX.

Indexing, Mobile-first Checks, and Hreflang If Applicable

• Use the URL Inspection tool for suspect pages.

• Ensure mobile rendering looks correct—Strikingly is mobile-friendly by default, but custom code can break layouts.

• If you serve multiple languages, implement hreflang attributes and confirm Search Console sees them properly.

If you need an iterative technical process, follow an optimization workflow that schedules small experiments, measures impact, and rolls back changes if needed—see our optimization workflow for a repeatable process. Also, check common SEO myths that lead teams astray when fixing speed or index issues: /blog/SEO-myths-founders-still-believe

Step 6: Publish, Monitor, and Iterate (strikingly SEO Guide)

Publishing Checklist and Scheduling

Before pressing publish, run this checklist:

• Metadata: Unique title and meta description present.

• Schema: Course/FAQ/Article schema added where relevant.

• Internal links: At least one link back to the pillar page for cluster posts.

• Image alt text: All images have descriptive alt text.

• Sitemap: Confirm page appears in sitemap.xml.

• URL: Preferred canonical is correct and redirects set.

Schedule a small group of pages rather than flooding the index with many low-quality posts. Use article scheduling and CMS publishing features to spread content logically over weeks.

Monitoring with Search Console and Analytics

Monitoring cadence:

• Weekly: Check Search Console coverage errors and index status.

• Monthly: Review impressions, clicks, CTR, and position trends for published clusters.

• Quarterly: Audit content performance and refresh underperforming pages.

Signals that trigger iteration:

• Drop in impressions for high-value keywords.

• Low CTR on pages with decent impressions.

• High bounce rate combined with short session duration.

For measuring wins and realistic expectations about growth, consider these industry patterns: search behavior and traffic distributions change; see Example Marketing's overview on the value of SEO for long-term planning: The value of seo key statistics

Iterating Content and Linking Strategy

Internal linking pattern for course sites:

• Pillar → each cluster (primary links).

• Cluster → pillar + 1–2 sibling clusters (contextual links).

• Instructor pages and outcomes pages link to relevant clusters.

Automate internal linking where possible. That saves manual updates and keeps link equity flowing.

Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting for Strikingly SEO

• Duplicate meta tags: Check for identical titles/descriptions across pages. Troubleshooting: run a site-wide metadata report in your CMS or export page titles. Fix by writing unique meta for each page.

• Blocking search with robots: Verify /robots.txt and use URL Inspection if pages are not indexed. Troubleshooting: visit /robots.txt and search for Disallow lines affecting site paths.

• Publishing without internal links: Pages without internal links rarely rank. Troubleshooting: add at least one contextual link from the pillar and one from a related blog post.

• Ignoring mobile and speed: If mobile scores are poor, remove heavy widgets and compress images. Troubleshooting: run PageSpeed Insights and prioritize fixes for LCP and CLS.

• Uploading huge images: Large files slow the page. Troubleshooting: convert to WebP, resize to display dimensions, and test load improvements.

• Not verifying Google Search Console: Without GSC you lose visibility into indexing issues. Troubleshooting: add and verify your preferred site URL and submit your sitemap.

• Bad canonical handling: Duplicate content can split signals. Troubleshooting: check the canonical tag in the page source and confirm what Google selected via URL Inspection.

• Relying only on homepage links: That limits discoverability of deep pages. Troubleshooting: build a consistent internal linking plan and include links in footer or resource pages where appropriate.

• Overuse of third-party scripts: Chat widgets, heavy analytics, or tag managers can harm speed. Troubleshooting: disable nonessential scripts and measure impact with lab tools.

Quick commands/tests:

• Fetch robots.txt: visit your tracked landing page URL-domain/robots.txt

• Test sitemap: visit your tracked landing page URL-domain/sitemap.xml

• Inspect URL: use Google Search Console > URL Inspection

• Measure speed: run PageSpeed Insights for mobile and desktop

When to contact Strikingly support vs. implement a workaround:

• Contact support: if the platform is not exposing sitemap/robots, or if DNS/SSL provisioning fails.

• Implement a workaround: if slow pages result from heavy images or third-party scripts—these you can control.

The Bottom Line

Strikingly can host effective course and small-business sites when you follow a measured SEO system: audit, fix site-level settings, map content into pillar-cluster groups, optimize on-page elements and schema, solve technical limits, and iterate based on Search Console data. Consistent work on content and internal linking will improve your chances of ranking for targeted queries about Strikingly site SEO.

Video: Creating Stunning Websites with Strikingly in Minutes: No-code Web Design

For a visual walkthrough of these concepts, check out this helpful video:

Frequently Asked Questions