SEO plugin: pick one, configure it once
Rank Math (preferred) or Yoast. Configure title/description templates, schema defaults, sitemaps, and breadcrumbs at the global level — then per page only when needed. Don't install both.
Schema you should ship at minimum
Organization or LocalBusiness sitewide, Article on blog posts, Service on service pages, FAQPage on Q&A blocks, BreadcrumbList everywhere. Rank Math handles 80% automatically; the rest needs ACF or custom blocks.
Performance: where WordPress wins or loses SEO
Use a performance-tuned theme (or custom). Image optimization via WebP/AVIF (ShortPixel, Imagify, or Jetpack Photon). Defer non-critical JS. Object cache + page cache. Avoid Elementor or Divi for the front-end if Core Web Vitals matter — use Gutenberg with custom blocks.
Internal linking + content velocity
Build topical clusters: one pillar page per topic + 4–8 supporting posts, all internally linked. Publish on a sustainable cadence — one post per week beats 10 in a month then silence.
Want results like this for your business?