Google searches seem to have become a staple for everyday life, whether you’re searching for recipes for dinner or an explanation for the pain in your shoulder. Even if you scroll a bit through the first page of results, it’s likely that you’ll start your research by clicking a result toward the top of the page.
A site being at the top of a Google search says a lot, especially if it’s not a paid advertisement. It means that the algorithm thinks of the site as high quality, easy to use and trustworthy. That’s why it’s a goal for many companies to be ranked at the top of relevant Google Search result pages. But what SEO strategies help you get there? That’s what we’re here to talk about.
5 strategies to help business owners rank at the top of Google SERPs
There are 10 results on each Google page. Ranking at the top of the first Google Search pages can bring many benefits to businesses, including increased site traffic, engagement and conversions for targeted demographics. With the right search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, your site can be the first thing that people see when they have a related issue, question or curiosity.
Here are five strategies that can help your business get to the top of Google Search:
- Complete an SEO audit — There are many aspects of your site that can impact how you perform on search engine result pages (SERPs). It’s important to know the details about your site’s SEO factors to see strengths that you can capitalize on, as well as weaknesses that need to be addressed and tweaked. Run an SEO audit to see performance aspects including site speed, bounce rate and conversion rate.
- Build backlinks — Backlinks are a significant contributing factor to your SEO rankings. A backlink refers to a link to your site used by another source. The Google algorithm sees backlinks as a stamp of approval from an authoritative site, which showcases your site as trustworthy, high quality and an expert voice in the space. You can build backlinks by being featured on resource pages, writing guest blogs and finding broken links on other sites.
- Tend to your Google My Business listing — Every business should have a Google My Business listing that it claims and updates. It allows you to gain control over how your business is showcased on the search engine. Keeping your listing as updated as possible can build trust with both the users and the algorithm, helping you gain a competitive edge and reach the top of the page for local searches. This means updating details, such as the phone number and hours of operation.
- Diversify your content formats — You can explore different avenues with your content, from blog posts and podcasts to videos and seminars. Try testing a variety of distribution channels and repurposing content for a different format. By diversifying how people can engage with your content, you can reach a broader audience while helping the Google algorithm to gain a better understanding of your content and its relevance to keywords.
- Test out long tail keywords — Specificity is key when it comes to having successful SEO efforts. People tend to be niche with their keywords, such as asking Google, “Why does my left shoulder hurt after driving?” You can aim to reach the top of search pages that may not have as many results due to their specific nature by using long tail keywords. They contain at least three words and drive quality leads to your site.
At BURG+CO., search engine optimization is one of our many specialties. We know what it takes to reach the top of the Google SERPs, and we’ll collaborate with your team to get there through effective strategies that move your bottom line.
Want to attract new visitors to your website? BURG+CO. can help
Increasing traffic to your website plays a role in increasing conversions and leading to new clients. However, it’s difficult to attract visitors to your site when you don’t know what to do. Fortunately, this is what we specialize in at BURG+CO.
Our team has years of experience in helping businesses improve their digital presence to attract new leads and retain existing ones. If you’re looking to perform better in search engine results and attract more visitors to your site, we’re ready to talk to you to see how we can help. Contact our team today for more information about digital marketing or to schedule a complimentary consultation.
