If you tend to scroll toward the bottom of the search results pages, research shows that you’re in the minority. According to one recent study, the first link in the search results gets over 25% of all traffic, while the tenth gets a measly 2.5%. Beyond the first page, the numbers aren’t even worth considering.
Given this intel, it’s clear that your business must make it into the top organic links in the search results. Of course, that’s easier said than done!
Wondering how to reach those coveted top-tier positions? Here are some quick tips on how to rank higher on Google.
1. Look for Underperforming Keywords
One of the easiest methods of ranking higher on Google is to pick the right SEO keywords for the job.
What is SEO, you ask? SEO, or “search engine optimization,” involves strategies that allow you to optimize your website for Google’s algorithms. Finding underperforming keywords is just one strategy of many, but it works!
To do this, you’ll need to have a solid enough understanding of your site’s analytics to identify which of your keywords aren’t performing well. From there, you’ll need to enhance your on-site SEO to help Google better understand and rank the implicated pages.
2. Publish Better Content
At the end of the day, the most important thing on your website is your content. Even with the best SEO strategies in the world, there’s no way to keep viewers on a page when you aren’t providing anything of value! Do an audit to ensure you have high-quality content that appeals to your target audience on every page of your site.
3. Build More Backlinks
If you aren’t building backlinks to your valuable content, who’s going to see it? With around 70 million new posts each month on WordPress sites alone, it’s crucial that you promote your content to stand out. That’s where backlinks come in: Google’s algorithm considers those valuable backlinks when deciding where to place you in its rankings.
4. Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly
Research suggests that almost three-quarters of all internet users will hop online with just a smartphone by 2025. In other words, mobile-friendly sites are the way of the future—and your website has to keep up. Work with your developer to use a mobile-first approach that optimizes everything from your images to your button placement for best results.
5. Do an Audit to Understand Why You’re Outranked
If the tips above aren’t enough to help, it may be time to do a competitor analysis. What does the competition have that you don’t?
In some cases, your competitors may have more varied content, or they may simply optimize their pages better according to user intent. In other cases, they may have higher Google rankings due to a more robust backlink strategy that gets them more traffic. Do some sleuthing to understand what’s working for them, and try putting it into practice on your own site.
Know How to Rank Higher on Google
At the end of the day, it’s impossible to get around the fact that knowing how to rank higher on Google means doing your homework. Working around Google’s algorithm can require careful planning for even veteran marketers, which is why you’ll need to invest your time in some solid research before you can see results! If you find yourself struggling to keep up, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional marketing advice as needed.
Looking for more of the tips you need to build a better brand? Check out our other marketing and advertising guides for additional insights!
