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How to Get Your Website to the Top of Google: A Proven SEO Strategy
Over 90% of users never scroll past the first page of Google. If your website isn’t showing up there, you’re missing out on valuable traffic, leads, and sales.
Getting to the top of Google isn’t about luck or having a massive budget. It’s about understanding how Google works and making strategic optimizations that signal to search engines that your content deserves to rank.
As an SEO expert with 8+ years of hands-on experience helping businesses climb Google’s rankings, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. This guide breaks down the exact steps you need to take to get your website on Google’s first page—and keep it there.
How Google decides what ranks at the top
Before diving into tactics, it’s important to understand how Google evaluates websites.
Google’s ranking systems prioritize three main factors:
Relevance: Does your content match what users are searching for?
Authority: Is your website trusted and recognized as a credible source?
User Experience: Is your site fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate?
When you optimize for these three elements, you improve your chances of ranking higher. Google wants to deliver the best possible results to its users, so your job is to prove that your website provides exactly that.
Step 1: Submit your site to Google
Google’s crawlers constantly scan the web to find new pages, but you can speed up this process by submitting your site directly.
Here’s how:
Create a Google Search Console account: This free tool lets you monitor your site’s performance and submit your sitemap.
Submit your sitemap: Your sitemap is a file that lists all the important pages on your website. Submitting it to Google Search Console tells Google which pages to prioritize.
Verify your site: Follow the steps in Google Search Console to confirm ownership of your website.
Once your site is submitted, Google will begin indexing your pages. You can check if your site is already indexed by doing a simple site search—just type “site:yourwebsite.com” into Google. If pages from your site appear, you’re already in Google’s index.
Step 2: Choose the right keywords
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google when they’re looking for information, products, or services. Targeting the right keywords is essential for getting found.
Start by thinking about what your ideal customers are searching for. If you run a vegan pet food business, relevant keywords might include:
- Vegan pet food
- Plant-based dog food
- Organic vegan cat treats
Once you’ve identified potential keywords, use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or free alternatives to see how often these terms are searched and how competitive they are.
Focus on long-tail keywords—specific phrases with three or more words. These tend to have lower search volumes but higher intent, meaning the people searching for them are more likely to convert.
For example, instead of targeting “pet food,” try “best vegan dog food for sensitive stomachs.” This keyword is more specific, less competitive, and attracts users who are closer to making a purchase.
Step 3: Optimize your on-page SEO
Once you know which keywords to target, you need to tell Google what your pages are about. You do this by placing keywords strategically throughout your website.
Title tags
Your title tag is the clickable headline that appears in search results. It’s one of the most important on-page SEO elements, so make sure your target keyword appears here.
For example: “Best Vegan Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs | [Your Brand]”
Meta descriptions
The meta description is the short blurb that appears below your title tag in search results. While it doesn’t directly impact rankings, a well-written meta description can increase click-through rates.
Include your target keyword and explain what users will find on your page. Keep it under 155 characters.
Headings
Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to organize your content and include keywords naturally. Your H1 should be your main headline, while H2s and H3s break your content into scannable sections.
URL structure
Your URL should be clean, descriptive, and include your target keyword. Avoid long, confusing URLs with random numbers or symbols.
Good example: yourwebsite.com/vegan-dog-food-sensitive-stomachs
Bad example: yourwebsite.com/page?id=12345
Image alt text
Google can’t “see” images, so you need to add alt text that describes what each image shows. Include keywords where it makes sense, but prioritize clarity.
Step 4: Create high-quality, helpful content
Google’s algorithm is designed to reward content that genuinely helps users. This means writing for people first, not search engines.
Your content should:
Answer questions: What are your customers trying to learn? Provide clear, thorough answers.
Be well-organized: Use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your content easy to read.
Include examples: Real-world examples and case studies make your content more engaging and trustworthy.
Stay updated: Regularly refresh your content to keep it accurate and relevant.
Avoid keyword stuffing—cramming your target keyword into every sentence. Google can detect this and may penalize your site. Instead, use keywords naturally and focus on delivering value.
Step 5: Optimize for local search
If you run a local business, local SEO is one of the most effective ways to get on Google’s first page.
Start by claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This free listing appears in Google Maps and local search results, giving you prime visibility.
Here’s how to optimize your profile:
Complete every section: Add your business name, address, phone number, hours, and website.
Use consistent information: Make sure your business name and contact details match what’s listed on your website and other directories.
Upload photos: Show potential customers what your business looks like and what you offer.
Collect reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. Positive reviews improve your ranking in local results.
Also, make sure your website clearly mentions your city and service area. This helps Google understand where you’re located and who you serve.
Step 6: Build quality backlinks
Backlinks—links from other websites to yours—are one of the strongest ranking signals. They tell Google that other sites trust and value your content.
Here’s how to build backlinks:
Create shareable content: Publish original research, helpful guides, or unique insights that other websites will want to reference.
Guest blogging: Write articles for industry blogs and include a link back to your site.
Get listed in directories: Submit your business to reputable online directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific listings.
Reach out to relevant sites: If you’ve created something valuable, let other website owners know. They may link to it if it adds value for their audience.
Quality matters more than quantity. A few links from trusted, authoritative websites are far more valuable than dozens of links from low-quality sites.
Step 7: Improve your site's technical performance
Technical SEO ensures that Google can crawl, index, and understand your website. If your site has technical issues, even great content won’t rank.
Focus on these key areas:
Site speed: Slow-loading pages hurt both user experience and rankings. Compress images, enable caching, and minimize code to improve load times.
Mobile-friendliness: Most searches now happen on mobile devices. Make sure your site looks and works well on phones and tablets.
Fix broken links: Regularly check for broken links and fix them. Broken links frustrate users and waste Google’s crawling resources.
Use HTTPS: Secure sites (those with HTTPS in the URL) rank higher than unsecured sites (HTTP).
You can use Google’s free PageSpeed Insights tool to check your site’s performance and get recommendations for improvement.
Step 8: Monitor and adjust your strategy
SEO isn’t a one-time task. It requires ongoing monitoring and adjustments to stay competitive.
Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics to track:
- Which keywords are driving traffic
- Which pages are ranking highest
- Where visitors are coming from
- How long they stay on your site
If certain pages aren’t performing well, revisit your content and make improvements. Update outdated information, add more keywords, or restructure the content to make it more engaging.
Most websites see noticeable improvements within 3–6 months of consistent SEO work. Some competitive industries may take longer, but the results are worth the effort.
Common SEO mistakes to avoid
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes that hurt your rankings. Here are a few to watch out for:
Ignoring mobile users: Google now uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it primarily looks at the mobile version of your site. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’ll struggle to rank.
Keyword stuffing: Overusing keywords makes your content hard to read and can result in penalties from Google.
Neglecting technical SEO: Great content won’t rank if Google can’t crawl or index your site properly.
Not updating content: Old, outdated content loses relevance over time. Regularly refresh your pages to keep them accurate and valuable.
Buying backlinks: Google penalizes sites that buy links or use other manipulative tactics. Focus on earning links through quality content instead.
How long does it take to rank on Google?
One of the most common questions I hear is: “How long will it take to see results?”
The honest answer is that it depends. Most websites begin to see improvements within 3–6 months of consistent SEO work. However, several factors influence this timeline:
- Competition: If you’re targeting highly competitive keywords, it will take longer to rank.
- Website age: Newer websites typically take longer to build authority.
- Content quality: High-quality, original content ranks faster than thin or generic content.
- Backlink profile: Websites with strong, authoritative backlinks rank more quickly.
SEO is a long-term strategy, but the results are sustainable. Unlike paid ads, which stop driving traffic the moment you stop paying, organic rankings continue to deliver results over time.
Your next step: Start optimizing today
Getting your website to the top of Google requires consistent effort, but it’s one of the most valuable investments you can make for your business.
Start by implementing the steps outlined in this guide:
- Submit your site to Google Search Console
- Identify the right keywords for your business
- Optimize your on-page SEO
- Create helpful, high-quality content
- Build your local presence
- Earn quality backlinks
- Fix technical issues
- Monitor your progress and adjust as needed
Want personalized guidance on how to improve your website's rankings?
Book a free consultation with Jerin John and get a customized SEO roadmap tailored to your business. Let’s work together to get your website the visibility it deserves.
Jerin John is an experienced SEO expert, brand consultant, and digital marketing strategist with 8+ years in the field. He has managed 100+ global SEO projects. Featured in Recognition Radar, Daily Hunt, and Medium. Jerin holds certifications from Google, SEMrush, HubSpot, and Microsoft.
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