Here’s a sample SEO checklist to use when developing, optimizing and promoting websites.

SEO Optimization Plus
Website Quality Check + W3C  – Correct glaring issues
Server Check – Win/Linux Apache, IIS – IP Check – Dedicate or Shared
Applications (CMS, Cart, Forum) & Databases (MySQL)
HTTP Response Header Check – Custom Error Pages
Basic Architecture (Contact, FAQ, Privacy, Resources, Site Map, Terms)
Preliminary Global Link Popularity Report – Anchor Text Analysis
Top 3 Competitors Analysis – Reverse Link Engineering
Spider Topic Reputation Report
Preliminary Indexed Pages Report – View Titles & Descriptions
Keyword Research – Competition, Daily Search Volume, Relevance
Primary Search Terms – Long-Tail – Supporting Terms – LSI Terms
Competition Research-Uncover Entire PPC Campaign Keywords
Keyword Revenue Report with Average Customer Value Equation
Master Keyword List & Prioritized Keyword List
Number of Pages to Be Optimized
Map Keywords to Individual Pages
Individual On-Page Optimization – SEO Score
Metadata – Title, Description, KW tag
Optimize Head Area (Proper DTD, Char Set) – Header Status Check
Page Headings (H1, H2, page structure)
Page Content Optimization
Reduce Code to External Script
Optimize Image Load Times & Alternate Text, Captions
Optimize Internal Links in Body (keyword, placement)
Optimize Link Site Structure (No Follow)
On Page Sitemap Optimized
Google Analytics, Webmaster Tools, XML Sitemaps, Preferred Domain
Canonical and Duplicate Content Fixed
Robots.txt File Properly Implemented
Name Capture/Opt-in Form/Email Marketing
Usability/Objectives/Conversions

Promotion
Optimize Current Blog or Develop Custom Blog. Tie-In to Networks
Utilize Promotional Widgets, Select and Optimize Blog Plugins
Develop Content Strategy – photo, video, slideshow, audio, wiki’s, etc
Write Articles – 450+ words (use in syndication)
Huge Content Syndication Group (Quality Only) – Diggs, Bookmarks
Write Blog Posts – 100-300 words, ping
Press Releases – 300+ words (submission to 25 Press Release sites)
Top 5-7 Article Submission Sites – (Option re-purpose to 300 directories)
Blog RSS Feed Submissions (80-100+ Feed Submissions)
Blog Directory Submissions (Top 10-18 blog directories)
General Directory Submissions (400+ Quality directories)
Targeted Ezine Submissions
Social Linking Properties – presence for Links, no networking involvement
Social Network Properties – optional for networking, friends, etc
Social Bookmarking Sites – Top 20
Free Blogging Sites, Blogger, WordPress, etc.
Micro Blogging – Twitter Marketing Plan 2000 followers in 30 days
Keyword Ranking Reports, Analytics, Backlinks Reports
PDF Files (text-optimized w/ new Titles, Kws, Descriptions)
High PageRank Link Development
Researched Keywords to Target in Articles

Classified Ads, Blog & Forum Commenting
New email created to create and confirm promotional actions.
PPC Setup & Management
Website Design

There are various steps or processes for many of the activities listed above so keep an eye out for more in-depth reports on individual topics.

Other posts you may like:

1. Search Engine Optimization Success by Developing a Master Keyword List For Your Industry
2. How to Use Search Engine Optimization for Top Search Engine Rankings