Do you want to get your business website to the top of Google search results? You are not alone.
Chances are, your competitors are also vying for that top spot. Because getting there is a surefire way to bring in more traffic and leads!
Did you know that 33% of all traffic goes to the first search result? The second one only gets 18%, and the numbers get even bleaker from there.
If you noticed that a competitor’s website has managed to outrank yours, this article is for you. We will show you why that happened and what you need to do to get that top spot back from them!
Why Is Another Business’s Website Ranking Higher Than Mine?
1. Google’s Algorithm
Google wants to provide its users with the best experience possible. This means showing them the most relevant content possible.
If another website is ranking higher than yours for a particular keyword, it means that the Google algorithm has determined their content is more relevant to that keyword than yours.
2. You Haven’t Clarified The Who, The What, and The Why
The key to getting Google to recognize your website as relevant to their keywords is clearly explaining who you are, what you do, and why you do it.
In other words, your website needs to very clearly show Google who your target audience is, and how your content can help them.
1. Who you are
The “who you are” section of most websites is going to be the Home page or the About Us page.
It can also be a short, simple bio section on top of your landing page. But the bottom line is this: your visitor needs to know exactly who you are as soon as possible after clicking on your site.
If you have not clarified this right up front, Google’s algorithm will not rank you as high as it could have.
2. What you do
This is content that breaks down your main services.
Often enough, this will be your most visited page and the one that shows up the most in Google’s search results. Therefore, getting this description right is critical!
3. Why you do it
Showing why you do what you do is often the most difficult aspect of establishing an online identity that Google recognizes and respects.
You can’t just write “I’m passionate about my industry” on your website a hundred times.
To answer this question, both for people looking at your website and for Google, you need to contribute thought leadership pieces and other helpful content to what’s already out there.
You can do this both on your own website, or on others, but there is no escaping it: content is king. You want to rank highly in search engine results then you will need to create some.
How Do I Get My Website To The Top Of Google Search Results?
1. Find the Right Search Terms
Snagging the top spot in Google search results comes down to finding the right keywords to incorporate into your who/what/why content.
While it may be tempting to use fancy terms like “SEO architect” or “creative visionary”, if no one is searching for these phrases, it won’t help you rank highly in Google.
So how do you know what search terms to focus on instead?
The search terms people use to find your website can be broken down into 3 main tiers:
1. The “Who you are” search terms
This tier consists of branded terms: your business name, variations of your business name, and perhaps a branded tagline if you have one.
2. The “What you do” search terms
This tier is all about the services you offer.
For example, a personal injury lawyer should have dedicated pages and keywords for each type of case they accept: car accidents, dog attacks, etc.
3. The “Why you do it” search terms
These are blog posts and articles on your website that focus on narrow topics and offer specific advice to your potential clients.
The more specific you can get with this type of content, the easier it will be for your website to rank for related keywords.
2. Check your SEO
If you are using the right keywords, but your website is still lagging behind your competitors’ websites, there might be a problem with your off-page or your on-page SEO.
Believe it or not, something as small as a broken link or some messy HTML can easily affect your search engine ranking.
Check out our ultimate guide to SEO to know for sure, or give us a call – we’d be happy to help you get that top spot back from your competitor!
How Handmade SEO Can Help
If you want to know exactly why another business’s website is ranking higher than yours, consider taking our free Digital Marketing Assessment.
It includes a free SEO audit to help you uncover the exact reasons your website is lagging in search engine rankings – and what you can do about it.
Did we mention it’s completely free?
