As a content creator for a small business, ranking on Google and other search engines is critical for staying relevant, profitable, and successful.
Plus, who doesn’t want to brag about being in the top ten (or number one) for a keyword?
Ranking higher on Google boosts traffic to your site and helps build a reliable audience. But, how can you beat the giant we know as the “algorithm”? Understanding SEO is a great start–still, you have to put in work elsewhere.
Let’s explore 10 ways to improve your Google rank and feel good about yourself, your website, and your business in the process.
What Are Google Rankings?
Google rankings–what are they anyway?
While we could spend hours explaining the technicalities and nuances of Google, we can skip that jargon and get to the point.
Google created ranking metrics to filter through the billions of search results so people reach exactly what they set out to find. You wouldn’t want to land on a website about irrigation systems for greenhouses if you typed soil for greenhouses.
While these topics may sound similar, Google recognizes how frustrating shuffling through irrelevant content is for the online searcher.
To rectify this problem and keep up with the daily flood of new web postings, Google implemented technology to boost quality content to the top.
Here is an overview of how Google ranks a website:
- Crawling: Google uses automated bots known as crawlers to scan websites for specific characteristics (i.e., internal links, backlinks, sitemaps, etc.). This information helps Google determine which content is relevant to an online search.
- Indexing: Using this information, Google decides whether or not to index the website in its database (meaning the content can be found via online searches).
- Showing search results: Every time someone searches for a keyword, Google will filter through this index to find the most relevant answer.
10 Tips for Ranking Higher on Google
Hopefully, you have a general idea of why certain content ranks higher on Google. Now we can dive into the nitty-gritty–defining how to improve rankings.
Much of this process revolves around SEO, but you can’t overlook the other essential aspects like website design, audience trends, and the content you create. All these factors interact to create either a Google-friendly or Google-nono site.
1. Focus on SEO
Yeah, yeah–we’ve all heard about the importance of SEO.
Well, listen to the experts. SEO is one of the easiest, fastest ways to boost Google rankings.
SEO is like candy to Google. The algorithm craves tasty links, keywords, and headers. You have to feed the Google bots what they crave or they’ll simply pass over your content in favor of sweeter treats.
Below are some SEO-friendly practices to improve your Google ranking:
- Title tags: Your title tag should have the primary target keyword [preferably as the first word(s)]. Keep this tag within 50-60 characters.
- Meta description: This element should provide a concise, straightforward description of your content. Readers will see this overview below your title tag on search engine results.
- URL: Don’t forget the URL! Like your title tag, ensure your keyword is included. Here’s a good example of an SEO-friendly URL: domain.com/how-to-rank-higher-on-google
- Headers: Your website should have relevant headers that follow an easy-to-navigate format. These sections create a hierarchy of information, meaning Google can better understand and capture the intent of your website.
- Alt text: The alt text describes an image on a website. While you can’t see alt text, Google does. This description also provides context to people using screen readers.
2. Pay Attention to Trends
Keep up with the times!
But, don’t fall victim to short-lived fads. Pay attention to trends that have longevity by conducting simple keyword research.
For example, say you’ve noticed a hike in people searching for home gardening tips. Spend time delving into the history of associated keywords. Has this spike in interest happened before? If so, how long did the trend last? Is investing time and money into content geared toward this keyword worthwhile?
Following hot gossip can potentially boost traffic for a short period, whereas seeking reliable keywords can provide steady engagement–thus, driving your content to the top of rankings (or close to it!).
3. Create Useful Content
Ranking isn’t just about feeding the Google cookie monster. The content you publish is just as important.
You will not rank for a keyword if you don’t provide content that aligns with search intent. A reader looking for the best organic fertilizer wants an overview of the highest-rated options–not your experience with dogs digging up your azaleas.
Here are a few examples of valuable content:
- Original content: Don’t copy and paste from another website (this is also bad for a myriad of reasons other than poor rankability). Your audience came to your site for unique information, so provide what they want! Add your own voice and set your content apart from competitors.
- Trustworthy content: Readers want to know they can trust you for the most accurate information. You can gain credibility by answering their questions with factual evidence (i.e., scientific research, field experience, etc.) and offering data otherwise missing from competitor websites.
- User-directed content: Write for your users. Study your audience. What is their age group? Will they understand advanced terminology? Do they want simple or in-depth solutions to their questions? Use this understanding to craft user-friendly content.
4. Get Some Backlinks
Ranking a website is a bit easier when you have ample backlinks from other pages. Backlinks improve your EEAT (experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness), meaning Google sees your content as highly relevant and reliable. Your content is also visible on sites outside your own. In turn, you see additional traffic and build brand awareness.
5. Improve Your Mobile Website Design
No one wants to navigate a poorly designed website, overrun by popups, slow runtime, and ugly visuals. You want people to enjoy your content–but, how can they if they feel constantly overwhelmed and frustrated?
Focus on creating a site that appeals to your audience. Remember, Google ranking is not confined to simple SEO or algorithms. Appease your readers by offering a user-friendly, visually attractive experience that keeps them coming back for more.
Over time, continued traffic from loyal consumers can drive your site to the top of Google.
6. Remember–Keywords, Keywords, Keywords!
Keywords are your best friend.
Think of them like seedlings–you must spread them evenly throughout your online garden. Overcrowding keywords can kill your crop (i.e., tell Google you’re trying too hard), while not placing enough limits your ability to reap a successful harvest (i.e., skimping means missing valuable traffic).
Also, ensure to stick with relevant keywords. Don’t stray too far from the overall message in favor of cramming as much volume as possible into one paragraph.
Ahrefs or Semrush may say ladybug is a related keyword to greenhouse tips but don’t force the topic–you want everything to flow organically and seamlessly.
7. Get Creative With Visuals
Like website design, visuals are great for audience-building. They’re also pivotal for Google ranking.
Infographics are often incorporated into search results, especially if they contain relevant text or lists.
Stay ahead of the ranking game by creating unique illustrations that capture the keyword and provide valuable solutions. For example, a listicle article can easily be reimagined as a numbered list for images (you can also repurpose this content for social media!).
8. Create a Table of Contents
A table of contents allows your readers to quickly navigate a website. Google can also use this list to understand your information hierarchy (I told you headers were important!) and pull from specific sections for snippets, “People Also Asked” boxes, or meta descriptions.
9. Perform a SERP Analysis
Sometimes, ranking for a keyword is extremely difficult.
A SERP analysis lets you realistically assess the possibility of performing well for an article. Are your competitors experts in the field? Does your backlink structure provide enough domain authority against the highest-ranking sites?
Leverage this information to determine if targeting a topic is practical at the moment. If not, consider going after a similar keyword with a lower difficulty. Ranking high for this content can inevitably increase traffic and trustworthiness, leaving opportunities for revisiting the original keyword in the future.
10. Fix Website Problems
Technical problems can prevent Google from indexing your content. For example, broken pages, incorrect redirect links, and duplicate content annoy readers and indicate an untrustworthy website to Google.
Google can’t crawl a site that doesn’t exist, and readers can’t access content if a redirect doesn’t land them on the right page. Keep note of issues like these to prevent unnecessary traffic loss and low Google rankings!
Stay True to Your Message!
While ranking higher on Google is important for revenue and success, you can’t lose track of your voice and mission along the way. Use SEO as a guide, but avoid simply following the trends. Opt for what you know will ultimately fuel your success as a content creator.
