What does it take to go from zero to hero with your online business? The answer above all other things is: To be found on Google. To achieve this, you need to make it to the first page of the search results, preferably in the top ten.
How do you do that? We will show you. In this article, you’ll first learn how Google search actually works. Then we’ll reveal tips and tricks on how you can achieve your dream ranking with a combination of great content and the necessary technical know-how. Finally, you will receive a basic checklist in which we summarize important questions.
How Does Google Search Work?
Google search is basically built on three main components.
1. Crawling
Google is constantly searching the Internet for new websites. To do this, the search engine reads countless sitemaps every day. It also skillfully follows up on links. The automated software that performs this process is generally called a crawler. Google’s crawler even has its own name: Googlebot.
With your robots.txt file, you show Googlebot which sites can be indexed and which not. You can get a detailed introduction to robots.txt files from Google itself.
2. Indexing
If Google recognizes your page correctly, it will be indexed. It stores the URL with a short description of the web content. This process is done by Google by default for all new pages on the web. In regular intervals, the Googlebot crawls your page again and again. In this way, the ranking of existing content can be increased even after the fact through content optimization.
3. Ranking
In the third step, Google ranks your website. This is done by Google’s self-learning algorithm and hundreds of different analysis factors. It is known that, among other things, the right keyword placement, high-quality backlinks and user-relevant content are important criteria for a top ranking. The ranking of your individual pages might differ over time, starting at the bottom and then getting higher and higher, related to the user experience Google measures on your site. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is used to be found better on Google.
How Do I Get On the First Page of Google?
Most users never click further than the first page. Even further, according to a study by Backlinko, the proportion of those who click only as far as the maximum tenth search result in the organic search is over 99 percent. This shows how many users rely on Google’s ranking criteria.
These are the ways to get into the top ten:
Placing Google Ads
Running paid online ads is one way to land on the first page of Google and promote your website. The placement and more traffic you get virtually overnight. But only as long as you pay for it. The guarantee that someone will buy from you, unfortunately, can not be provided.
If you want to know more about the advantages and disadvantages of paid ads in comparison to organic sear volume, our editorial recommends reading our latest guide about organic search engine optimization.
Off-Page Optimization
In many cases, you can improve your search engine ranking with a technical optimization of your site. As already mentioned, a correction of the URL name alone often leads to the fact that your website can be found by Google at all.
If the entire website is optimized for technical errors, this is often referred to as Technical SEO. This usually begins with a site audit, i.e. with the collection of various data from your website. From that data, conclusions can be drawn. Actions are for example a sitemap update and the reworking of meta-titles and descriptions, which more often than not lead to a conversion boost.
On-Page Optimization
The visible part of your website can also be improved. This starts, for example, with the fact that your images need alt tags to be read by Google. But the heart of every website is and remains your content. In the next section, you will learn how good SEO content should be structured and written.
Win Google’s Trust With SEO Content
Google promises its users to find what they are looking for. Quickly and conveniently, at least one of the first search results should deliver the serious, relevant and high-quality content that answers all their questions.
Your job now is to prove to Google, through your copy and your SEO game plan, that your business has it. Here’s how to do it:
Keyword Research
A proper SEO keyword research comes first. This is about finding the best organic search terms that match your offer. They serve as the basis for your content – for advertising copy and business blogs alike. Include them naturally and don’t overdo it. If your content is easy to read for everyone, Google will like that too.
Answer Search Intent
Every keyword is related to a specific search intent. Google users have specific questions and needs that they associate with the related search terms. To get on the first page for a keyword, your content must answer the search intent. At Blogtec, it is the job of our editors to determine the search intent and provide the writer with the structure.
The Writing & Editing
We always emphasize when you do SEO yourself: Write primarily for your customers, not for the search engine. Address your readers directly and answer as many questions as possible in your SEO piece. Your content should inform or entertain (ideally both), depending on your intention and niche, and mark you as an expert in your field.
If you manage to gain the trust of your potential customers with your website content, Google will trust you too!
Are you writing SEO content for the first time? In our guide ‘SEO content writing in 10 steps‘ you will get valuable tips. Another option: Let Blogtec do the writing of your quality content for you! With our subscription system, you are not bound to a contract.
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Google Ranking: Basic Checklist
The following checklist covers the most important steps after publishing a new website.
Is My Website in the Google Index?
You check it like this:
- Disable SafeSearch under your settings.
- Take this syntax site:example.com and put your own domain instead of “example.com”.
If you see a result, Google indexed your site successfully. If you don’t find any result, follow this further guidance from Google.
Create and Submit a Sitemap
Note that the result tells you if your website is listed. It is still possible that one or more of your subpages are not included. Therefore, we recommend that you create a sitemap to ensure this. Once your site is ready, all you have to do is submit it to Google (manually or via Google Search Console).
Will My Business Be Displayed on Google Maps?
If you have a physical retail store or practice in addition to your online store, a Google Business account is the must-have. It’s the only way to get listed and found on Google Maps. And that’s exactly where everyone is looking in that case. With a fully completed and active business profile, as well as high-quality photos, you’ll rank well alongside your competitors – important in the city.
Is My Site Secure, Fast and User-Friendly?
The easiest way to find out is to test it yourself. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and click through the site.
- How user-friendly is the navigation?
- Can you find everything at first glance?
- How quickly do the pages load?
The better the user experience on a first website visit, the higher your chance of retaining these customers.
Is My Content Quality Good Enough for Google?
High-quality content is one of the most important requirements in modern SEO. We have already given you some essential tips. We also recommend that you read Google’s Starter Guide. It is very detailed, but well-structured. After that, you can (almost) call yourself an SEO expert.
Can My Website Be Accessed Flawlessly From All Devices?
Since most searches are done from smartphones, it’s especially important that your website has a responsive design. You can easily test whether your site is ‘mobile-friendly’ by following this link: search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
Our Conclusion
A well-run business and online presence are directly related in today’s world. The best strategy to be found on Google is a combination of regular off- and on-page optimization. If you intend to get into the top ten organic search results, you need will power and endurance. If you show it, your efforts will pay off in more ways than one: In organic reach and consistent sales figures.
