The ultimate goal of any online business is to find their website on the front page of a Google search ranking, preferably in the top three. However, it is no easy feat, especially for the most popular and sought-after keywords.
Indeed, improving one’s Google ranking can be a constant chore, and the search engine optimization (SEO) to do list can be never ending. However, if done with a proper and focused strategy, your SEO can pay big rewards, which include a top Google ranking.
What do you need to do to claim your front page Google ranking? Below are a few of the best-known methods that could thrust your website into the Google spotlight.
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Make a List of Your Keywords
The first step in getting noticed by Google’s radar is to determine for which keywords you want your website to be known. Without this starting point, you have no focus with your SEO.
Consider what your site has to offer. Is it financial services? Are you a local restaurant? Do you sell products online for mail order? Your website’s theme and main type of content will help you narrow your keyword list.
Get specific in your keywords. Sure, you may want to be top-dog for the most popular keywords, but unless you operate a national or international corporate site, it is unlikely you’ll end up alongside Amazon or Wikipedia. Instead, decide on more specific keywords.
To this end, include phrases, especially phrases with location. If you’re a local or regional retailer, you want people in your area to find you. For instance, “Downtown Dallas Shoe Repair” is a good specific keyword phrase for a shoe shop in the Dallas CBD.
Content, Content, Content
You’ve heard the phrase “location, location, location” used with commercial real estate. Likewise, your website will be judged both by visitors and search engines upon the content your site provides. Keyword planting is nice, but keywords alone don’t impress readers.
Your content is what makes a website interesting. Write and post great content and people will notice, and link to your site for others to read (which is explained in more detail below).
Write regular blog posts that have interesting and helpful things to say. Write “pillar” content such as a “Top 10” list, or a useful white paper or eBook that readers can download.
Remember to add catchy headlines and titles, and break up your content into sections using section headings (with keywords implanted, of course).
Get Outside Links
Google’s search algorithm puts a heavy emphasis on outside links to a specific website. It analyzes links from other websites, including the popularity of those websites. For instance, if you could get one link to your website from NYTimes.com, it counts a lot more in Google’s eyes than a hundred links from small blogs or link directory sites. Thankfully, there are a few strategies for snagging links to your website.
Promote on the Social Networks – Retweet, social bookmark, and share your content on your social network accounts. Since the Google Panda update, more emphasis is being placed on links being shared in the social networks. Promote your content amongst your fans and followers on the social networks, which can also help encourage them to share the links with their followers, thus creating a positive link cycle!
Write guest posts – Offer to write guest articles and posts for other popular websites. Of course, include a link to your website in the article.
Avoid paid links – There was a time when website owners could spend a lot of money to get links to their sites. However, Google has learned how to get around this tactic in their algorithm. Your links should be legitimate. “Link spamming” is frowned on by Google and could even get your site banned.
Utilize Your HTML SEO Coding
Lastly, be sure your underlying HTML coding is optimized with all your chosen keywords. That means using META tags and <title> on every page. Use text <alt> tags for all images, and effectively use heading and section HTML tags with keywords included.
Finding your website on Google’s front page of results does not have to be an impossible dream. Choose your keywords wisely, and get those links back to your site. Make sure you effectively post great content with proper HTML coding. The right combination of these strategies could get you top search results!
