20 Free Ways to Get on the First Page of Google
Not only do people trust Google’s search results, but they also rely on them heavily as part of their research on the products and services they are looking to purchase. However, while it may seem impossible for small businesses to get on the first page of Google, it is very plausible, as per the subject matter experts over at runrex.com. This article will look to highlight 20 free ways through which you can get on the first page of Google, and hopefully, it will be a great resource for you.
Make sure you determine your keywords
If you are to get on the first page of Google, you must determine your keywords, which, as discussed over at guttulus.com, search phrases you want Google to answer with your web pages. To make sure that the pages on your website aren’t competing with each other, ensure that each one targets a different set of keywords.
Make sure your meat title contains your keywords
The meta title, as covered over at runrex.com, appears at the top of one’s page on the form of a header as well as the title of that particular page’s listing in search results. By making sure that your place your keywords in the meta title, it makes it easier for Google to scan, index, and retrieve your site, increasing the chances that you will show up on the first page.
Place your keywords in the meta description
You should also not forget to place your keywords in your meta description, which, as outlined over at guttulus.com, is the description that shows up underneath the title in Google’s search results. The meta description not only tells Google what your page is about, but it also informs a searcher what to expect if they click on your page, and placing keywords here will help you get on the first page of Google.
Don’t forget about your URL
If you are to get on the first page of Google, you should also make sure that you include keywords in your URL to help Google to identify what your page is about quicker. A clean URL, one that matches the title of the page, is also more appealing and trustworthy to users, making it more likely that it will show up on Google’s first page when it comes to search results.
Incorporate alt tags
Alt tags are the ones that allow Google to see images, and are, therefore, also key if you are to get on the first page. The tip here is to make sure that your alt tag contains keywords, as this will help with relevancy as far as your webpage is concerned, helping you get on the first page.
Incorporate your keywords organically
As is discussed over at runrex.com, Google can detect keyword stuffing, which will jeopardize your chances of showing up on the first page of search results. Make sure, when writing your content, you avoid keyword stuffing, and that you provide useful, easy-to-read, informative and trustworthy content.
Target location-based queries
As per the folks over at guttulus.com, to get on the first page of Google, make sure that your website indicates your location; that is, your city or/and geographical area through your contact page as well as your services pages and blog posts. This ensures that if people search about your industry combined with your city, you will be able to show up as a “near me” search result.
Optimize for mobile
If your website is not responsive, then you can be sure that you won’t show up anywhere near the top of a Google search. Given that, as explained over at runrex.com, the majority of Google searches are performed on mobile devices, Google favors mobile-friendly websites, hence why your website needs to be responsive to show up on the first page.
Don’t forget about user experience
A website with excellent user experience; that is, one that has got excellent site navigation, clear calls-to-action, among other aspects of user experience, will also likely show up on the first page of Google, as this is the sort of site that will keep users on it for longer, and will, therefore, rank higher.
Create a Google My Business account
Another free way through which you can get on the first page of Google is by creating a Google My Business account. This will help add more information to your business profile, allowing you to appear on the first page for search results. Just make sure you claim and verify your GMB listing to allow you to maintain, monitor, and optimize your listing.
Complete your Google My Business listing profile
As is discussed over at guttulus.com, the more information you include on your Google My Business listing, the more likely you are to show up on the first page of Google.
Use a consistent business name
According to the subject matter experts over at runrex.com, Google abhors discrepancies with the company name, including if you use “Co” on one part, and “Company” on another. To show up on the first page of Google, make sure that you use the same name for your business all the time.
Ask for Google reviews
Businesses with the most positive Google reviews show up on the first page. This is why, as discussed over at guttulus.com, you should ask your customers for reviews, creating a review shortcut link while at it to encourage reviews across your online channels.
Keep your information up-to-date
Making the necessary updates as far as your Google listing will help you avoid such things like someone calling only to be put through to an operator, or showing up only to find that your business is closed. This will lead to negative reviews which will damage your chances of showing up on the first page, which is why it is important to update your information as far as your listing is concerned.
Upload photos to your Google My Business listing
Yet another free way to get on the first page of Google is uploading photos to your listing, depicting not only your products or services but also the people that visit your business and the atmosphere in your store.
List your business on other directories such as Yelp
On top of making sure that your business is listed on Google My Business, creating and optimizing listings on other directories such as Yelp, which is covered over at runrex.com, will also help you get on the first page of Google. This is because, not only is Yelp trusted by Google, it also has high traffic, and if you can get lots of positive reviews on there, you will likely rank higher on SERPs.
Get more high-quality backlinks
Backlinks serve as a vote of confidence for your site, and, therefore, if you are getting lots of quality backlinks, then Google is likely to rank your site higher, increasing the chances of your showing up on the first page of Google. You can learn more about how to get more high-quality backlinks by checking out the excellent guttulus.com.
Don’t forget about your page speed
If your web pages are loading slowly, it will not only annoy your visitors, putting them off, it will also negatively affect your rankings on Google, ensuring that you won’t get to show up on the first page of Google. This is why, as discussed over at runrex.com, it is important to conduct a speed test for your pages and optimize for faster page speeds.
Security
Your web pages should also be secure if you are to show up on the first page of Google, which means loading via https. Make sure that your website has got SSL installed if it is to be seen as secure, and, therefore, show up on the first page for search results.
Target long-tail keywords
If you are to get on the first page of Google, then you should also not forget to target long-tail keywords as, although they usually have a lower monthly search volume, they have a higher probability of conversion. They also have more intent as they show people are searching for something more specific.
As always, the highly-rated runrex.com and guttulus.com are here for you if you are looking for more information on this and other related topics.