This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
How to Use Your Website to Get on Google's First Page
Search engine optimization is the practice of aligning your website with search engine ranking factors (SEO). You should not necessarily optimize your entire site at once, but rather each individual page on your site. Here's how to go about it:
1. Choose your keywords
Determine which search queries you want Google to respond to with your website pages first. These are known as keywords, which can be either single words or phrases.
Keyword examples include:
• "MA tenant laws"
• "nearby salon"
• "brunch Boston"
• "air conditioner repair Brighton"
• "how to plug a leaky roof"
• "how to get on Google's first page"
Each page on your website should target a different set of keywords so that they do not compete with one another.
The best keywords for your company are those that your ideal customers use to find the products and services they require. Try our Free Keyword Tool for assistance in selecting keywords for your business.
How to Get on Google's First Page Using a Free Keyword Tool
Find high-volume keywords for your niche using our Free Keyword Tool.
2. Inform Google about the keywords you're using.
Google crawls the web, ranks the millions of pages it finds, and stores them in an index. When a user conducts a search, Google can quickly return relevant results by scanning its more organized index (rather than the entire web).
As a result, another critical step toward appearing on Google's first page is to make it as simple as possible for Google to scan, index, and retrieve your site. Put keywords in the following places to accomplish this:
Meta title
A meta title appears on every blog post and page on your website. This title appears not only as a header at the top of your page, but also as the title of that page's listing in search results (depending upon your CMS settings).
Meta description
The meta description is the brief text that appears beneath the title in Google search results.
The meta description, in addition to telling Google what your page is about, quickly tells a searcher what they can expect if they click on your page, increasing the relevant clicks to that page. As a result, the meta description assists Google in placing your business on the right first page for the right searches and assists Google searchers in keeping it there.
URL
Your URL is made up of your domain name (for example, wordstream.com), a forward slash, and text separated by dashes.
Including keywords in your URL will help Google identify what your page is about more quickly. In search results, the URL appears between the title and meta description. A clean URL that matches the page title is more appealing and trustworthy to users, and it is better suited for first-page placement.
Alternative tags
Images can only be seen by Google if they have a text alternative (aka alt tag). If your alt tag contains keywords, Google can determine the page's relevance and feel more comfortable placing you on its first page of search results.
3. Write for people
Of course, the most important place to include the keywords for which you're attempting to rank is in the body of your page's content. However, it is critical that these keywords are not inserted systematically and excessively, but rather naturally. In fact, Google can now detect keyword stuffing and will banish you from the first page of its results if it detects it.
The key to ranking on Google's first page is to provide useful, trustworthy, easy-to-read, but informative content that keeps your target audience on your pages and returning for more. And conversing with others about what you already know is both free and simple. Remember that if you want to rank on Google's first page for a specific keyword search, your page must provide the information, not just the keywords, that users are looking for when they type that search into Google.
4. Highlight the location
Targeting location-based queries is another free way to get your website pages on Google's first page. Make sure your website clearly displays your city and/or geographic area on your contact page, as well as potentially on blog posts and service pages. As a result, when people search for "your industry" + "your city," Google will pick up on that information and display your business as a "near me" search result.
How to Rank on Google's First Page
Even if a user does not search for a specific location, Google will still serve up geographically relevant results based on their IP address, implying that local SEO is not only free, but always necessary (even during a pandemic).
5. Mobile optimization
A website that is not responsive will not appear at the top of a Google search. Phones and tablets are now used by consumers more than computers and laptops, and mobile devices are used for the majority of local searches. As a result, Google prefers websites that are mobile-friendly. In fact, mobile-first indexing is now used to index all sites.
Responsive design is ideal because your website will adapt to any screen size while maintaining functionality. If you don't have a responsive website, there are some changes you can make to ensure the most seamless experience for a mobile user.
6. Emphasize the user experience
Being mobile-friendly is insufficient for a website. It should also be visually appealing and user-friendly. A website with easy navigation, clear calls to action, and answers to your visitors' most pressing questions will keep them on your site longer and return later, which Google will notice and rank you higher for. The higher you rank, the more traffic your site will receive and the more likely it will appear on the first page.
Check out our Ultimate Website Audit Checklist to optimize every aspect of your website (with an Epic 6-Tab Google Sheet).
How to Use Your Business Listings to Get on Google's First Page
Your online business directory listings, in addition to your website pages, may appear on the first page of a Google search. What you must do is as follows:
7. Register for a Google My Business account.
Google My Business is quickly becoming one of the most powerful (and free) tools for local business owners. Google Maps and Search both use Google My Business to generate local listings (known as Business Profiles). Creating a Google My Business account is a quick and simple way to add more information to your Business Profile, allowing it to appear on the first page of Google Maps and Search (in the local results section). Make sure you complete the process of claiming and verifying your listing so that you can monitor, maintain, and optimize it.
How to Rank on Google's First Page
8. Make your Google Business Profile more appealing.
When it comes to optimizing your listing, I think of it as a separate strategy because, while creating a Google listing can help you with visibility, it can only take you so far in terms of ranking. Rather than creating a basic listing and hoping it appears in one or two searches, optimize your Google business listing for maximum visibility. Here's how it's done:
Fill out every section of your profile.
The more information you include in your Google My Business listing, the more searches it can appear on the first page for. In fact, complete Google My Business listings receive 7X the number of clicks as incomplete listings.
Maintain consistency in your name.
Always use the same exact name for your company. Google dislikes inconsistencies, even if they are as minor as "Co." vs. "Company."
Please update your information.
Not being able to find your business, arriving to find it closed, or getting an operator when attempting to call can not only turn off a customer, but also cause them to distrust your company or write a negative review. Maintain your Google listing and make the necessary updates and changes so that it can be trusted enough to rank first.
Add photos to your listing.
Google My Business aims to provide consumers with as much information about a business as possible before they encounter it. This includes what it's like to work at that company, so upload photos that show not only the products and services your company provides, but also the atmosphere and people who frequent it.
Test out our Google My Business Grader.
We have a free tool specifically designed for Google My Business listings. Simply log in with your Google business account to get an assessment of your profile and learn what you need to do to get closer to the first page in less than 30 seconds.
9. Obtain customer feedback
Google searchers are interested in what other people think about a company, so it's no surprise that the companies with the most positive Google reviews appear on the first page. In person, ask customers and create a review shortcut link to easily encourage reviews across your online channels. While this technically falls under the category of Google My Business optimizations, keep in mind that there are numerous other review sites that all have an impact on your ranking.
how to get on Google's first page and get reviews local bundle
Reviews can propel you to the top of Google's SERPs in the "Local Pack."
10. List your company in other directories.
Although Google My Business is effective, you should also create and optimize listings on other popular directories such as Yelp. For starters, because Yelp has high traffic and is widely trusted by Google, your company's Yelp page may appear on the first page of Google for relevant searches. Second, a solid listing with positive reviews boosts your overall online presence. Online reviews and links from other reliable websites send signals to Google, which are factored into its ranking algorithm.
Similarly to your Google Business Profile, ensure that the rest of your online directory listings are complete and accurate, consistent across platforms, and up to date, and that you are collecting and responding to reviews. Don't forget to include photos with your online listings.
How to Rank on Google's First Page [Recap]
Even for small businesses, getting to the top of Google or simply improving your ranking is very doable. It takes effort and time, but it is one of the most crucial things you can do for your company. You can increase your company's visibility by knowing where and how to make changes. In summary, here are the strategies:
Make a keyword strategy to target terms that your target customers are looking for.
Include keywords in your website's content as well as HTML tags.
Additional Resources:
Do you require effective SEO tools that are completely free? Check out our Search Engine Optimization tools for a plagiarism checker, backlink analysis, keyword position tracking, and over 170 awesome tools to make you money and save you valuable time. Share our page on your social media accounts and family and friends... they'll thank you for all of these incredible FREE tools and resources.
"As you strive to reach your goals and make meaningful progress, having access to the right resources can be a game-changer. In today's fast-paced world, achieving success in various areas, whether it's weight loss, financial growth, or staying ahead in the crypto market, demands a strategic approach.
You've already taken the first step by seeking out valuable insights and information through this article. Now, imagine the possibilities that await when you delve deeper into proven solutions that align with your aspirations. There's a world of top-tier products and resources designed to support your journey towards success.
Explore the carefully curated selection of best-selling offers, each handpicked to cater to different aspects of personal growth and achievement. These offers have helped countless individuals transform their lives, and you can find them located in ads throughout this post and across our website. Embrace the opportunity to access the tools and knowledge that can propel you towards your desired outcomes.
If you've found our content valuable and would like to support our efforts in providing you with quality information, consider contributing through our donation button. Your support helps us continue to deliver valuable insights and recommendations to our community.
Remember, success is not a destination; it's a continuous journey of improvement and evolution. Equip yourself with the best tools available and forge ahead confidently towards the future you envision."
Sincerely,
The Free-SEO.org Team