Getting on the first page of Google is a dream for many small businesses, and for good reason.
Ranking well matters: 91.5% of internet users report they only look at the front page of Google after searching. Searches on Google send 300% more traffic to websites than click throughs on social media, and the people who follow from a Google search stick around longer. It is clear ranking well on Google is good for your business.
The problem is, many small business owners simply do not know how to do this. They’ve built their business providing a good service for their clients, not becoming one of the most clicked items on the internet.
The difficulties with ranking are only compound by Google’s algorithm. The algorithm is notoriously hard to please, mostly because it changes every few months. This means small business owners can see themselves improving in rankings day on day, week on week, for it suddenly to vanish- removing them from the front page entirely.
Luckily, we’re here to help.h
Despite the difficulties with Google’s algorithm changes, there are some reliable methods which can improve your pages’ rankings. There are steps you can take, such as using a service like digital monopoly, to improve your rankings and your custom.
We’re going to break them down for you.
Put Your Address on Your Website
This is such a simple way to improve your search engine rankings, and incredibly effective. Google consistently favors businesses that have an address on their website. If you’re based in a certain locale, when someone searches that location and the service you provide, you are much more likely to appear on Google there than with more general searches.
Even better, an address allows Google to place your business on Google maps, which is good for its service, with the added benefit of helping you reach more customers. An easy one but a goody.
Reviews
Reviews are the bread and butter of ranking well on Google.
Today, more than ever before, customers use reviews to decide if they want to use a service. Up to 80% of consumers say they trust online reviews as much as word of mouth, and Google knows this.
Google considers positive reviews as something called “social proof”, which demonstrates you are a legitimate business and improves your rankings in their eyes. Don’t shy away from soliciting online feedback from your clients.
There are ways you can incentivize clients to leave feedback too, such as offering a discount if they leave a review on your website. You improve your rankings, and your customers get a good deal- making everyone a winner!
Quality Content
Content is Queen. Despite the many changes Google makes to its algorithm, one thing stays unwaveringly the same: Google rewards high quality content.
Your website needs accurate descriptors of the service provides, but that’s not all. A great way to consistently improve your rankings is with blog posts that answer questions about the service you provide, or any other questions your clients may have.
For example, if a potential client is searching for advice on the ‘best fake tan for winter’, and you have a blog concerning that, it could lead to many new clients visiting your beauty parlor, to get that healthy glow.
Use Keywords
To get more clicks on your site, make sure the content you use includes keywords. These keywords are the most common terms people search for.
To maximize your rankings, include keywords that people search to gain advice, like ‘what can I do to get clear skin?’, and keywords that are necessary to optimize conversions, like ‘best products for clear skin’. This way you cover both types of searches, and should generate more organic leads to put your website at the top.
Improve Your Site’s Speed
One-way Google’s algorithm decides whether or not your site is legitimate is by measuring how much time people spend on your website. If people arrive and then quickly click-off, Google is going to consider your website to be of a low quality.
As well as your site’s appearance and usability being a big factor, a lot of this has to do with speed. People are forgiving of a poor design if the content is good and it gives them the answers they need. However, most people aren’t patient enough to wait a long time for a website to load. When the loading time for Walmart’s page declined from 1 seconds to 4 seconds, their conversion rate declined massively. If your website is that slow, you need to consider changing your server ASAP.
