So you want to get to the top of Google.
Google is the most popular search engine in the world. People turn to it when they want to find something, and it's where many businesses generate most of their website traffic.
Getting your website listed at the top of search results can mean more customers for your business. But that doesn't mean you should rely on cheap tricks or gimmicks—like anything else in business, it means using good sense and being patient with the results.
Why do businesses want to be on the top?
The answer is simple: because it's where the customers are. Google is the most used search engine in the world. It has a market share of over 90% of all searches. Businesses want to be on Google because they know that their customers won't find them if they aren't there. People don't think about where to find a business when they need one—they just look for it on Google. So if your business isn't on Google and your competitors are, guess who will get all their customers?
How does Google decide what is relevant?
Google uses over 200 ranking factors to determine the relevance of a page in response to a given query. The most important factors are:
Content includes length, word count, word variation, and readability.
Backlinks (to your site) from other sites.
Domain age - how long it has existed on the internet. The longer, the better!
User behavior - how often people visit your website and which pages they see.
These are all essential factors for you to consider when optimizing your site for search engines like Google, but there is one more important thing that must not be forgotten: relevance!
The algorithm is constantly changing and improving, so it's hard to know exactly how they decide what's relevant, but some broad trends show up in their updates. Google usually updates the algorithm to improve how well it can understand natural language and how well it can judge the importance of different sites. These things are essential because they help Google get better results when searching for something.
There are no shortcuts to getting to the top of Google.
If someone tells you there is, they're usually just trying to sell you something.
There are many ways that people try to manipulate Google's algorithm and get their content higher in search results, but none of them work for long. Some "SEO hackers" will make bold promises and often rely on business owners who want quick results without putting in the effort or research. Don't fall for these scams! The only way to improve your search results is by making sure that what's on your site is high-quality content that people actually want - not just stuffed with keywords and phrases with no real meaning or value behind them.
Don't sweat the algorithm. Great copy is your friend.
Instead of attempting to predict what Google might like, focus on your audience's wants and needs. Focus on the benefits of your product or service to create better content for those who will use it. You should write as if you are speaking directly to an individual person looking for information about what you do — explain why you're so awesome and why they should hire you or buy from you instead of someone else! Write for humans, not bots.
Basic tactics to take to make your business more searchable.
Write for your audience and focus on their needs.Use relevant keywords.
Do a search engine optimization audit every few months, and ensure you're following all the best practices for your industry.
Maintain a human-friendly URL structure that makes sense and is easy to follow.
Use proper hierarchy. It's not just about putting the most important keywords at the top of your page; it's about ensuring every page has a clear hierarchy and purpose.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly!
What is SEO anyways?
Search engine optimization is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's unpaid results—often referred to as "natural," "organic," or "earned" results. This is usually called "ranking" or "your rank." Search engines are designed to follow specific guidelines, also known as algorithms, to ensure their quality and fairness. Because these algorithms work differently depending on various factors, including meaning, the intent of search phrases, and other websites linking back to you (or not), there isn't one way that works for everyone. However, many best practices can be followed, increasing your chances of being found when people search for things related to your business online.
Should I pay for google ads?
You can use Google Ads to promote your business, products, and services. It's a great way to get your company in front of customers looking for what you have to offer. You can target ads based on keywords that people search for. So if someone is searching for "personal training Boerne," then Google will show them an advertisement for personal training services in Boerne. Or if someone searches for "dog walking Boerne," they will see an advert about dog walking services in the area. This means people are likelier to click through your ad since it is relevant to what they searched online! Google allows you to set a maximum daily budget so that you don't spend too much on advertising without knowing how effective it will be - which means no wasted cash...and happy customers!
The most important thing to remember when deciding whether to pay for Google ads is that it's not a one-time investment. If you're just starting out and are looking for some quick wins? Yes, go for it! But for sustainable, long-term growth, you need to be patient and consistent with your ad spending.
Searchability is a symptom of relevance.
If you want to get on top of Google, the best way is to quit guessing the algorithm but focus on what makes you unique and valuable to your customers. The key is to build trust with your audience. Find out what they need, and then deliver it in a way that's easy for them to understand and connect with. That way, when they're searching for what you provide, there will be no question about whether or not they should click on your site as opposed to another one.