Jonathon is crafting online marketing materials for his business. Upon adding several new web pages, he verifies that Google is indexing them, then awaits an influx of visitors. To his astonishment, however, there is no traffic despite his new pages being visible in Google’s search results.Why the discrepancy? A probable explanation is that Jonathon’s pages are not ranking sufficiently high. Google not only lists search results but also ranks them; thus, if your pages don’t rank near the top, they remain invisible to potential visitors.Enhancing your Google rankings is known as search engine optimization (SEO), a vital aspect of online marketing. Below, we’ll explore what SEO rankings entail and the elements that influence them. Continue reading to expand your knowledge and subscribe to Revenue Weekly for further digital marketing insights from the agency with over 1,100 client testimonials!SEO rankings represent a website’s position on a search engine results page. A website’s SEO ranking is influenced by various factors, which search engines leverage to deliver the most pertinent and high-quality content to users.A multitude of factors contribute to Google’s rankings, some focusing on the content’s information, while others emphasize formatting or technical aspects. Ultimately, Google’s algorithms prioritize pages that best meet user needs. Neglecting SEO rankings in your marketing strategy is therefore unwise.Suppose you aim to rank a content piece for the keyword “cheesecake recipe.” Creating the page, publishing it, and ensuring Google indexes it isn’t sufficient. After all, Google displays over 185 million results for this keyword. Being one out of 185 million won’t generate traffic. Visitors won’t navigate to page 129 of results to find your page—indeed, 95% of all search traffic remains on the first page.For your pages to effectively drive marketing results, they must achieve high rankings on Google, ideally appearing on the first page. Learn more about Google rankings in this video!By now, it should be evident that enhancing your marketing pages’ SEO rankings is crucial for increasing website traffic.But how can you achieve this? What factors contribute to Google rankings? Below, we’ll examine six key Google ranking factors to help improve your SEO rankings:1. KeywordsKeywords are the most apparent of Google’s major ranking factors. They are the terms users input into the Google search bar, guiding Google to display the most relevant results. Consequently, they are a critical ranking element. To rank for a specific keyword, incorporate it naturally throughout your page.Avoid keyword stuffing; instead, strategically place your primary keyword in your title tag and meta description. This not only boosts your rankings but also enhances click-through rates!2. User search intentWhile keywords are essential, they are not the sole factor. For a page to rank in Google, it must align with user search intent—the reason behind their search. Targeting the keyword “how to get rid of roaches” on your page is beneficial, but if the content is solely an advertisement for your pest control services, it won’t address user needs.Google will recognize this and lower your ranking. To maintain high rankings, ensure your page provides the information users seek when searching with your targeted keywords.3. Internal linksGoogle favors pages that generate significant traffic. Pages that retain users for longer periods also benefit. Internal linking is another top ranking factor. By linking to other site pages within your content, you provide users with additional information sources and encourage them to explore further.This increases user engagement and drives traffic to other pages, boosting their rankings. This contributes to link equity across your site, distributing ranking power effectively.4. BacklinksImproving SEO rankings involves earning backlinks for your content. Backlinks are links from third-party sites leading to your pages. Aim for a few high-quality backlinks rather than quantity.Target authoritative sites in your industry. You can acquire backlinks by identifying broken links on third-party websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. Approach this with a helpful attitude to benefit both parties!5. Responsive designWith over 50% of Internet traffic originating from mobile devices, ensuring responsive design is crucial. Responsive design optimizes pages for various device formats, broadening your audience reach. Google also ranks sites based on mobile format, making responsive design essential for ranking well.
6. Page speedPage speed is a significant factor in Google rankings. Users expect pages to load within two seconds; a slower page risks losing visitors. You can enhance page speed by caching web pages, limiting redirects, compressing images, and minifying code.Quicker loading times reduce bounce rates, retaining existing traffic and attracting new visitors. Google rewards this improved user experience, enhancing your rankings.Ready to elevate your SEO performance? SEO.com is here to assist.SEO.com is a user-friendly, free DIY SEO tool designed by SEO professionals for effortless management and optimization of your SEO rankings. Try it for free today to monitor your organic traffic, analyze competitor websites, explore keyword targeting opportunities, and more, instantly!
