Showing on the first page of Google is the ultimate goal of any business; we all want to be found by searching customers. What’s the point of building your website or paying a developer to do you one and not being found when people look you up.
In reality, if you have just launched your website, you have a lot to compete with, and Google will not prioritise your website immediately. These tips can help move you up the ladder and make search engines take you more seriously.
1. Your website is too slow
On average, most web pages take about five or six seconds to load. Guess how long most users are going to stick around before they leave the page? -2-3 seconds. Yes that’s right! Most mobile users click away after 2 seconds on average.
Having a slow website will not make people stick around. Google looks at the way people engage with your website by comparing people sticking around on your site versus “bouncing” right off, as a way to determine whether users find your site valuable. If your site appears to be valuable, it will rank higher.
If users aren’t willing to stick around for your page to load, they won’t have an opportunity to see the value that you offer, and search engines will likely negatively impact your rankings accordingly. One way to check this is to check a free website speed tool and identify if your site is loading slow. Usually if it is the culprit could be large images, too many scripts or plugins.
The solution: Optimise your images and scripts. Remove any unused plugins. Check that it’s optimised for mobile users.
2. Your website doesn’t have SSL
Ever wondered what the little padlock in your browser next to the website’s domain name is? That’s an indicator that the website is encrypted by an SSL certificate. If you don’t see one (or if the lock is open/red), it may mean that you’re visiting the site over an insecure connection that anyone else can be “listening in” on. Whatever you do, make sure your website has SSL if you want search engines to take you seriously.
SSL and HTTPS are crucial to prevent specific types of virtual threats, called man-in-the-middle attacks. These are situations where a hacker would be connected to your wifi network (for example, in a public café) and intercepting unencrypted data being transmitted between your website and your device.
3. You are not targeting the right keywords
You’re going to have a hard time ranking if it’s not clear to search engines what questions you’re trying to answer . Your content needs to be clear enough so people can understand quickly what it is that you’re offering, not just site pages filled with cliché jargon. Be straight to the point and put what people would ideally search for. You need to think like a customer.
For instance, if you are a Pizza shop in Cardiff, what most people would search for is “Pizza place, open in Cardiff” or “Hawaiian Pizza, Cardiff”. Try to think of keywords your ideal cutomer will search for, and weave them into your content. You can use online tools to find trending keywords in your industry.
4. Your Business page is not optimised
Businesses with complete and accurate info are more likely to show up in local search results. If your business info isn’t accurate, your Business Profile might not show up for relevant searches in your area. Make sure all your services and keywords are listed on your page and all your info is accurate. Post regularly on your business page to improve engagement.
Invest in high-quality, professional images that are relevant to your business. Use images of your products, your team, or your customers to build trust and authenticity.
5. Ignoring Mobile Users
More than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices. If your homepage looks messy or is hard to navigate on a phone, you’re losing a huge portion of your potential audience.
When you’re building or redesigning your website, always check it on a mobile device. Ensure that buttons are large enough to tap, text is easy to read, and the layout looks clean and professional.
In Summary
If you’re not on the first page of Google, it’s likely due to a combination of factors related to your website’s relevance, authority, usability, and the quality of its content. Improving your Google ranking requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing keyword optimization, content quality, user experience, backlinks, technical SEO, and local SEO. Remember, achieving a first-page ranking takes time and patience, with the right strategy, it’s a goal that’s well within your reach!