How to improve your position on google search

Ranking high on Google search results is crucial for the success of any website or online business. With the majority of web traffic coming from organic search, improving your Google rankings can have a significant impact on your website’s visibility, traffic, and ultimately, your bottom line.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketer, or a website owner, this article will provide you with the knowledge and actionable tips you need to start ranking higher on Google and reap the benefits of increased visibility, traffic, and conversions.

Breaking Down the Importance of SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for businesses looking to improve their online visibility and drive more traffic to their websites. Here are the key reasons why SEO is important:

• Capture more internet traffic: The top search result on Google typically receives around 27.4% of all clicks, while the fifth position only gets about 5%. Ranking higher on Google can significantly increase the number of visitors to your website.
• Understand user intent: Thorough keyword research can help you identify the specific needs and search queries of your target audience, allowing you to create content that directly addresses their interests.
• Boost your brand’s credibility: Appearing at the top of Google search results can enhance your brand’s perceived authority and trustworthiness, making it more likely for users to engage with your business.
• Improve your organic visibility: SEO helps you rank higher in search results and garner more visibility online, making potential customers more likely to click over to your site and convert.
• Drive more qualified traffic: The more relevant people see your site, the more chances you have to sell to them. SEO increases your organic search engine traffic, directly correlating to an increase in sales.
• Provide a better user experience: A well-optimized website clearly communicates what product or service is being offered, shows how to obtain it, and answers any questions surrounding it. User experience is a major ranking factor for Google.
• Sustain business growth: There’s no doubt about it—SEO carries a lot of importance for the growth of your brand. The higher you rank on a search engine for a variety of high-volume keywords, the more organic web traffic your site will receive.

How Does Google Rank Pages?

Google’s process for ranking pages involves three main steps:

1. Crawling: Googlebot, Google’s web crawler, discovers and “reads” the content on web pages.
2. Indexing: Google stores the information about the pages in its massive database called the Google index.
3. Ranking: Google’s algorithms then determine the most relevant pages to display for a given search query, based on a variety of ranking factors.

Google Ranking Algorithms

Google’s ranking algorithms are a set of complex internal processes used to determine page rankings. Key points about Google’s algorithms:

• They are referred to as “ranking systems” by Google.
• Many of the ranking systems apply to all search queries, while some are specific to certain types of queries.
• The algorithms consider a huge number of ranking factors and signals.
• The algorithms are constantly being updated, with smaller daily updates and larger “core” updates several times per year.

Confirmed Ranking Factors

Google has officially confirmed the importance of several SEO factors, including:

• Content relevance and quality
• Backlinks
• Physical proximity (for local search)
• Mobile-friendliness
• Page performance (Core Web Vitals)
• HTTPS

Google also confirms some negative ranking factors, like intrusive pop-ups and keyword stuffing.

Unconfirmed but Suspected Ranking Factors

In addition, there are many other factors that SEO experts believe impact rankings, even if not officially confirmed by Google, such as:

• Alt text
• Breadcrumbs
• Click depth
• Local citations

Overall, Google’s ranking algorithms are complex and constantly evolving, making SEO an ongoing process of optimizing websites based on the known and suspected ranking factors.

How to Rank Higher on Google in 11 Steps

Step #1: Improve Your On-Site SEO

Optimizing your website’s on-site elements is a crucial first step in improving your position on Google search results. On-site SEO refers to the tactics and strategies you implement directly on your website to make it more search engine-friendly. Here are some key on-site SEO improvements to focus on:

Optimize Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

• Ensure your title tags and meta descriptions accurately reflect the content on each page and include your target keywords.
• Keep titles under 60 characters and meta descriptions under 160 characters to avoid getting truncated in search results.

Optimize Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.)

• Use header tags to create a clear content hierarchy on your pages.
• Include your primary keyword in the H1 tag, and use related keywords in subheadings (H2, H3, etc.).

Improve Page Speed

• Optimize images, minify CSS/JS, enable browser caching, and implement other speed optimization techniques.
• Use Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix speed-related issues.

Ensure Mobile-Friendliness

• Make sure your website is responsive and provides a great user experience on mobile devices.
• Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check and improve your mobile optimization.

Optimize URL Structure

• Use clear, keyword-rich URLs that accurately describe the page content.
• Avoid using long, complex URLs with unnecessary parameters.

Improve Internal Linking

• Create a logical internal linking structure to help users and search engines navigate your site.
• Link to relevant pages using descriptive anchor text.

Implement Structured Data

• Use schema markup to provide search engines with additional context about your content.
• This can help your pages stand out in search results with rich snippets.

By focusing on these on-site SEO improvements, you can make your website more visible and relevant to Google, leading to higher search rankings and increased organic traffic.

Step #2: Add LSI Keywords to Your Page

incorporating latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords into your content is an important step in improving your search engine rankings. LSI keywords are related terms and phrases that help search engines better understand the context and relevance of your content.

Here’s how to effectively add LSI keywords to your pages:

Identify Relevant LSI Keywords

Use tools like LSIGraph, Ubersuggest, or the Google Keyword Planner to find LSI keywords related to your main target keyword. Look for terms that are semantically connected and provide additional context.

For example, if your main keyword is “dog training”, some relevant LSI keywords could be:

• puppy training
• obedience training
• positive reinforcement
• clicker training
• leash training

Naturally Incorporate LSI Keywords

Avoid keyword stuffing by naturally weaving the LSI keywords into your content. Use them in headings, subheadings, body text, alt text, and meta descriptions. The goal is to demonstrate the topical relevance of your page, not just stuff in as many keywords as possible.

Here are some tips:

• Use LSI keywords in a way that flows naturally with the rest of your content
• Vary the placement of LSI keywords throughout the page
• Focus on including the most relevant and high-volume LSI keywords
• Don’t overdo it – aim for a natural keyword density

Create Topical Depth

Go beyond just sprinkling in LSI keywords. Use them as a springboard to create in-depth, comprehensive content that covers the topic from multiple angles. This demonstrates to search engines that your page is an authoritative resource.

For example, a page about “dog training” could include sections on:

• Basic obedience commands
• Socialization and behavioral training
• Training for specific activities (agility, tricks, etc.)
• Training for different dog breeds or ages

By thoughtfully incorporating LSI keywords and creating topical depth, you can signal to Google that your content is highly relevant and valuable to users, leading to improved search rankings.

At Ergasti, our team of SEO experts can help you identify the right LSI keywords and optimize your content for maximum search visibility. Contact us today at https://ergasti.com/ to learn more about our services.

Step #5: Reduce Your Bounce Rate

Bounce rate is a crucial metric that can have a significant impact on your search engine rankings and overall website performance. A high bounce rate, which indicates that users are quickly leaving your site after viewing only one page, can signal to search engines that your content is not meeting user expectations.

Here are some effective strategies to help reduce your website’s bounce rate:

Improve Page Load Speed

Slow-loading pages are a major contributor to high bounce rates. Optimize your website’s technical performance by:

• Compressing and optimizing images
• Minifying CSS and JavaScript
• Enabling browser caching
• Using a content delivery network (CDN)

Enhance User Experience

Focus on creating a seamless, intuitive user experience that keeps visitors engaged. Strategies include:

• Improving site navigation and internal linking
• Making your website mobile-friendly
• Reducing disruptive pop-ups or ads
• Ensuring consistent branding and design

Create Compelling Content

Develop high-quality, relevant content that directly addresses your target audience’s needs and interests. Some tips:

• Structure content with clear headings and subheadings
• Use visuals, videos, and multimedia to break up text
• Incorporate internal links to related content
• Write engaging, scannable copy

Optimize for Search Intent

Align your content with the specific intent behind your target keywords, whether it’s informational, navigational, or transactional. This helps ensure visitors find what they’re looking for.

Implement Effective Calls-to-Action

Include clear, compelling calls-to-action that encourage users to further engage with your site, such as signing up for a newsletter, downloading a resource, or making a purchase.

Monitor and Analyze Performance

Regularly review your website’s bounce rate data in tools like Google Analytics. Identify high-bounce pages and test different strategies to improve their performance.

Step #6: Find Even More Keywords to Target

Identifying and targeting the right keywords is an ongoing process that requires continuous research and refinement. Even after you’ve established an initial set of target keywords, it’s important to continually expand your keyword universe to uncover new opportunities.

Here are some effective strategies to find even more keywords to target:

Leverage Keyword Research Tools

Utilize advanced keyword research tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner to uncover related, long-tail, and low-competition keywords that you can incorporate into your content strategy. Look for:

• Semantic keywords: Terms and phrases that are closely related to your core keywords and help search engines understand the context and intent behind your content.
• Long-tail keywords: More specific, multi-word phrases that tend to have lower search volume but higher conversion rates.
• Low-competition keywords: Keywords with high search volume but relatively low competition, making them easier to rank for.

Analyze Your Competitors

Conduct a thorough analysis of your top competitors’ keyword strategies. Tools like Semrush’s Organic Research can reveal the keywords they are ranking for, including any gaps or opportunities you can capitalize on.Look for:

• Keywords they are ranking highly for that you aren’t targeting
• Long-tail keywords they may be overlooking
• Emerging keywords in your industry that present new opportunities

Mine Search Queries

Examine the actual search queries that are driving traffic to your website through tools like Google Search Console. This can uncover valuable long-tail keywords and semantic variations you may have overlooked.

Leverage Customer Insights

Engage with your customers and prospects to understand the language they use when searching for your products or services. This can inform your keyword research and ensure you’re targeting terms that resonate with your target audience.

Continuously Monitor and Refine

Regularly review your keyword performance data to identify new opportunities and refine your targeting. Keywords that perform well should be expanded upon, while underperforming keywords may need to be replaced or optimized further.

Step #7: Publish Insanely High-Quality Content

Creating high-quality content is crucial for search engine optimization (SEO) and user engagement. Here are some key strategies to help you publish insanely high-quality content:

Focus on User Experience

Prioritize creating content that provides an exceptional user experience. This includes:

• Clear and concise writing: Use simple language that is easy to understand.
• Engaging and scannable content: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make your content scannable.
• Multimedia elements: Incorporate images, videos, and other multimedia elements to enhance the user experience.

Conduct Thorough Research

Invest time in conducting thorough research to ensure your content is accurate and informative. This includes:

• Primary and secondary research: Use both primary and secondary sources to gather information.
• Expert interviews: Conduct interviews with experts in your field to add credibility and depth to your content.

Use a Clear and Consistent Structure

Use a clear and consistent structure to make your content easy to follow. This includes:

• Introduction: Clearly state the purpose and scope of your content.
• Body: Break your content into sections and subsections.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and reiterate the purpose of your content.

Optimize for Search Engines

While creating high-quality content, also optimize it for search engines. This includes:

• Keyword research: Conduct thorough keyword research to identify relevant and high-traffic keywords.
• Keyword placement: Place your keywords strategically throughout your content.
• Meta tags: Use meta tags to provide search engines with additional information about your content.

Edit and Proofread Carefully

Carefully edit and proofread your content to ensure it is free of errors and easy to understand. This includes:

• Grammar and spelling: Check for grammar and spelling errors.
• Punctuation and formatting: Ensure your content is properly formatted and punctuated.

Use a Consistent Tone and Style

Use a consistent tone and style throughout your content to maintain a professional and engaging tone. This includes:

• Tone: Use a tone that is professional, yet engaging and conversational.
• Style: Use a style that is consistent and easy to follow.

Continuously Update and Improve

Continuously update and improve your content to ensure it remains relevant and high-quality. This includes:

• Regular updates: Regularly update your content to reflect new information and changes in your field.
• Feedback and suggestions: Encourage feedback and suggestions from your audience to improve your content.

Step #8: Build Backlinks to Your Site

Building high-quality backlinks is a crucial component of any effective SEO strategy. Backlinks, which are links from other websites to your site, act as “votes of confidence” that signal to search engines the credibility and authority of your content. By proactively building backlinks, you can improve your website’s search engine rankings and drive more targeted traffic.

Here are some key strategies to build backlinks to your site:

Leverage Guest Posting

Reach out to relevant industry blogs and websites to contribute guest posts. This allows you to include a link back to your site within the content, while also positioning you as an expert in your field. Focus on finding high-authority, relevant sites that align with your target audience.

Participate in Link Roundups

Many websites publish regular link roundup posts that feature content from across the web. Identify relevant roundups in your industry and pitch your best content to be included. This is an easy way to earn backlinks from established sites.

Leverage Broken Link Building

Conduct a backlink analysis to identify broken links on other websites that are relevant to your industry. Reach out to the site owners, inform them of the broken link, and suggest replacing it with a link to a relevant page on your site. This provides value to the site owner while earning you a new backlink.

Create Linkable Assets

Develop high-quality, informative content such as in-depth guides, data-driven studies, or interactive tools that other websites will naturally want to link to. Promote these “linkable assets” through outreach and social media to earn backlinks.

Leverage Influencer Relationships

Collaborate with industry influencers and thought leaders by guest posting on their sites, being interviewed, or having them mention your brand. This can lead to valuable backlinks from their established platforms.

Leverage Local Citations

Build citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number) on local directories, industry-specific websites, and other relevant local sources. These citations can indirectly lead to backlinks and improve your local SEO.

Monitor and Maintain Your Backlink Profile

Regularly monitor your backlink profile using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Semrush. This allows you to identify new backlink opportunities, disavow any low-quality or spammy links, and ensure your backlink profile remains healthy over time.

Step #9: Track and Monitor Your Results

Consistently tracking and monitoring your SEO performance is crucial for understanding what’s working and what needs improvement. Here’s how to effectively track and monitor your Google search rankings:

Measure Your Keyword Rankings

Use a rank tracking tool to monitor your position for your target keywords over time. This will allow you to see which keywords you’re gaining or losing ground on, and make adjustments accordingly.

Analyze Your Website Traffic

Review your Google Analytics data to understand where your website traffic is coming from, which pages are performing best, and how users are engaging with your content. Look for opportunities to optimize high-traffic pages.

Track Organic Click-Through-Rate

Monitor the click-through-rate (CTR) from your organic search listings. A low CTR could indicate that your title tags and meta descriptions need refinement to make your listings more enticing.

Monitor Backlink Growth

Use a backlink analysis tool to track the quantity and quality of websites linking back to your content. Focus on building high-authority, relevant backlinks to improve your domain authority.

Review Google Search Console Data

Google Search Console provides valuable insights into your website’s performance in Google search, including impressions, clicks, average position, and search queries. Regularly review this data to identify areas for improvement.

Set Measurable Goals

Establish clear, achievable SEO goals, such as improving your rankings for specific keywords, increasing organic traffic, or boosting your conversion rate. Regularly review your progress and adjust your strategy as needed.

Step #10: Include Meaningful Visuals

Incorporating visuals into your content can significantly enhance its effectiveness and appeal to your audience. Here’s why visuals are important for improving your Google search rankings, and how to use them effectively:

The Importance of Visuals for SEO

Google’s algorithm places a high value on visually-rich content, as it provides a more engaging and informative user experience. Visuals can also help your content rank for image-based searches, further expanding your visibility in the search results.

Types of Visuals to Include

Consider incorporating a variety of visuals into your content, such as:

• Relevant images
• Infographics
• Charts and graphs
• Videos
• Screenshots
• Illustrations

Best Practices for Optimizing Visuals

To ensure your visuals are optimized for SEO, follow these best practices:

• Use descriptive file names and alt text that include your target keywords
• Compress image and video files to improve page load times
• Ensure your visuals are mobile-friendly and responsive
• Leverage structured data markup to provide additional context about your visuals
• Distribute your visuals on image-sharing platforms like Google Images, Flickr, or Pinterest

Leverage Visuals to Enhance User Experience

Beyond SEO benefits, visuals can also improve the overall user experience of your content. Well-placed, relevant visuals can:

• Break up long blocks of text, making your content more skimmable and engaging
• Clarify complex concepts or data
• Evoke emotions and create a stronger connection with your audience
• Increase the shareability and memorability of your content

Read more: difference between digital marketing and digital advertising

Step #11: Make Your Information Skimmable

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, users often skim content rather than reading it thoroughly. To improve your chances of ranking higher on Google, it’s essential to make your information easy to scan and digest. Here’s how to achieve this:

Use Concise, Scannable Formatting

• Break up your content into short, digestible paragraphs
• Utilize clear, informative subheadings to guide the reader
• Incorporate bullet points and numbered lists to highlight key points
• Ensure your sentences and paragraphs are concise and to-the-point

Leverage Formatting for Readability

• Use bold, italics, or different font sizes to emphasize important information
• Incorporate whitespace to create a clean, uncluttered layout
• Ensure your font size and line spacing are optimized for both desktop and mobile
• Avoid long, unbroken blocks of text that can overwhelm the reader

Optimize for Skimming and Scanning

• Place your most important information “above the fold” (visible without scrolling)
• Use clear, descriptive section headings that accurately reflect the content
• Incorporate visuals, such as images, infographics, or screenshots, to break up the text
• Ensure your content is structured in a logical, easy-to-follow flow

Consider the User’s Intent

• Tailor your content to match the user’s search intent, whether it’s informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial
• Anticipate the questions your audience might have and address them directly
• Use clear, concise language that speaks directly to the reader’s needs

Why Is It Important to Rank High on Google? Top 4 Benefits

• Increased Website Traffic and Leads
  Websites that rank in the top positions on Google’s search results page get significantly more traffic. The higher your ranking, the more visitors and potential leads you can attract to your business. This direct correlation between ranking and traffic is a key reason to focus on improving your Google search visibility.
• Enhanced Brand Visibility and Credibility
  Ranking high on Google boosts your brand’s visibility and perceived credibility. Users tend to trust the websites that appear first in the search results, seeing them as more authentic, relevant, and trustworthy. This can give you a significant advantage over your competitors and help you establish your brand as an industry leader.
• Reduced Marketing Costs
  Ranking organically on Google is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies. Once you achieve high rankings, you’ll get a steady stream of targeted traffic without having to pay for ads. This improves your overall return on investment (ROI) compared to paid advertising, making it a more efficient use of your marketing budget.
• Improved User Experience
  Google prioritizes websites that provide the best user experience. By optimizing your site’s speed, mobile-friendliness, and content quality, you can rank higher and give visitors a more enjoyable experience. This can reduce bounce rates and increase engagement, further boosting your rankings and creating a positive feedback loop.

How do I find out where I rank for specific keywords?

• Use Keyword Rank Checking Tools
  • There are several free and paid tools that allow you to check your website’s rankings for specific keywords, including Google Search Console, SE Ranking, Ahrefs Keyword Rank Checker, Seobility Ranking Checker, and SEO.AI Keyword Rank Checker.
  • These tools will show you your exact ranking position in the search results for the keywords you enter.
• Check Google Search Console
  • Google Search Console is a free tool that provides data on the keywords your website is ranking for, including position, impressions, clicks, and click-through rate. You can find this information under the “Performance” report.
• Connect Google Search Console to Google Analytics
  • Linking your Google Search Console and Google Analytics accounts allows you to get even more detailed insights. You can see which organic search keywords are driving the most traffic to your site.
• Monitor Ranking Changes Over Time
  • Use a rank tracking tool to monitor your keyword rankings over time. This will show you if your positions are improving, declining, or staying the same. Identify keywords you need to optimize further.
• Analyze Competitor Rankings
  • Check where your competitors rank for the same keywords you’re targeting. This can reveal opportunities to outrank them in the search results.
• Focus on High-Value Keywords
  • Prioritize tracking the keywords that are most important to your business – those with high search volume, relevance, and commercial intent.

Conclusion

Improving your position on Google search results is crucial for driving more organic traffic and visibility for your business. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article – from optimizing your on-site SEO and content to leveraging technical SEO, user experience, and link building – you can steadily climb the search rankings and reap the benefits of increased website traffic, leads, and brand credibility.

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring, testing, and refinement. Stay up-to-date with the latest Google algorithm changes, track your performance metrics, and be willing to adapt your approach as needed. With dedication and a data-driven mindset, you can outrank your competitors and cement your position as a trusted, authoritative voice in your industry.

FAQs

How long does it take to see results from improving my Google search rankings?

The time it takes to see results can vary significantly depending on factors like your current rankings, the competitiveness of your industry, and the scope of your optimization efforts. Generally, you can expect to see some improvements within 1-3 months, but achieving top rankings often takes 6-12 months of consistent, high-quality SEO work.

What’s the most important factor for improving my Google rankings?

While there are many important factors, creating high-quality, relevant content that matches user search intent is arguably the single most important element. Google’s algorithm prioritizes pages that provide the most useful and comprehensive information to searchers.

Do I need to hire an SEO expert to improve my rankings?

How do I track my progress in improving my Google rankings?

Utilize tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics, and third-party rank tracking software to monitor your keyword rankings, organic traffic, and other key SEO metrics over time. Regularly reviewing this data will allow you to identify what’s working, what needs improvement, and make data-driven decisions about your optimization strategy.