We all want the top spot, we all want that website rank higher. After all, first place gets all the warranted attention. This is what countless websites vie for and why achieving a high ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs) has become not just a luxury, but a necessity. This is particularly true for businesses that conduct most of their profiting transactions via their website.
Most website owners and developers spend hundreds of hours (not to mention dollars) to have a fully functioning website with engaging content, visually appealing design that offers immense value to its target audience but is not getting the number of daily visitors it deserves. What a waste, right? Fortunately, there are ways you can do to improve your site’s ranking such as:
Creating high-quality and relevant content
Search engines determine website rank before by keywords (e.g. what you type on the search bar to look for something). Search engines still do this but have made a major modification since some websites do keyword stuffing to try and cheat their way to the top.
Now, search engines rank websites based on the quality of their content. The major consideration now is that websites should be informative, relevant and original content. If your website lacks substantial content or is just full of information available on more trustworthy sites, the probability of your website getting the attention of search engines is as likely as snow in the summer.
Optimizing keywords
As mentioned above, keywords are still effective in making sure your website appears in top search results. To take advantage of the power of keywords, you should have effective keyword strategy optimization.
Are you using the right keywords that your target audience is actually searching for? Are these keywords in your content, meta tags and headings? Even if you already have a list of high-traffic keywords but you are inefficient in using them in your content, you are hindering your own ranking efforts.
Focusing on technical SEO for website rank
When we hear the acronym “SEO” we often think of creating content with the correct keywords to be visible in results pages. But in reality, optimizing your website for search engines goes deeper than that (more to this on the next item).
You need to conduct regular technical audits to ensure your website can accommodate its user, providing a smooth user experience every time. Meaning, loading times are fast, no broken links, developed for mobile use and other technical issues are taken care of. Any underlying issues that might be affecting your website’s performance will result in lower ranking.
Optimizing web pages
On-page optimization is optimizing individual web pages to rank higher and earn more organic traffic. This includes making sure metadata contains the keyword, images have alt texts and headings are in the right hierarchy (H1, H2, H3…). Without on-page optimization, search engines will have a hard time understanding the content and purpose of the webpages.
Backlinking from reputable websites
One of the overlooked reasons why a website is not ranking is because of the lack of backlinks. Some website owners or webmasters are not considering the importance of backlinks but if you have other trustworthy websites pointing to your site, it establishes your website as a reliable source of information and an authority in the subject matter.
If your website lacks quality backlinks, it might struggle to compete with other websites that have built a strong network of links. To encourage backlinking, focus on creating shareable and valuable content that other websites would link to.
Encouraging website traffic from social media
Technically, social media doesn’t directly impact search engine website rank. But, it can indirectly influence it. A strong media presence means there is a high chance that these followers, subscribers, and even lurkers will visit your website, increase brand visibility and could even lead to potential backlinks. If your social media game is strong, consider promoting your website on your posts for more organic traffic.
Keeping current
Search engine algorithms are continuously changing and what worked yesterday might not be as effective today. If you’re relying on outdated SEO practices or not keeping up with recent updates, your website’s ranking could suffer. Stay informed about the latest trends and algorithm changes to adapt your strategies accordingly.
Benefits of Core Web Vitals
Understand the correlation between page speed and conversion rates, and how addressing Core Web Vitals issues not only satisfies search engine requirements but significantly enhances user retention and conversion. We explore this topic in detail, highlighting the direct impact on business performance with Core Web Vitals.
Conclusion
Working on your website to rank on the first page of search engine results is an uphill battle. You also need a holistic approach and focus on several aspects of your website for it to be visible to your target audience. From producing quality content to fixing technical issues, every facet plays a role in determining your website’s ranking.
By implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy (and sticking to it), you can increase your chances of climbing the ranks and enjoying the organic traffic and visibility your website deserves. SEO takes time, commitment and continuous effort.
