Education

How to rank #1 on Google search

October 31, 2024

Seo services Sydney

Ever felt like your online presence is a needle in a haystack?

No matter how amazing your products are, if they’re buried deep in the search results, they might as well be invisible. That’s where the power of ranking #1 on Google comes in.

Imagine waking up to a steady stream of organic traffic, ready to buy what you’re selling. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. In this post, we’ll dive into the proven strategies to skyrocket any online businesses. Get ready to unlock the secrets to Google’s algorithm and boost your sales with SEO.

So what is SEO?

Search engine optimization is all about improving the quality and quantity of traffic your website gets from search engines. The goal is to get your pages to appear organically (without paying for ads) on the first page of Google, and hopefully, at the top.

By optimizing your SEO, you’re making sure your website is easy to find, navigate, and use. You want to keep visitors on your site and help them find what they’re looking for quickly. Think of it as creating a great user experience that also pleases search engines.

ON-SITE SEO VS OFF-SITE SEO

On-Site SEO is all about optimizing your website’s internal elements. This includes keyword optimisation, writing compelling meta descriptions, optimizing images, ensuring mobile-friendliness, and improving page speed. It’s like building a strong foundation for your online presence.

Off-Site SEO focuses on building relationships with other websites to increase your website’s authority and visibility. This involves acquiring high-quality backlinks, promoting your content on social media, and implementing local SEO strategies. By combining both on-site and off-site SEO, you can significantly improve your website’s search engine rankings and attract more organic traffic.

Let’s get started!

Google Search Console

You’ll need to install Google Search Console + Google Analytics. This will help to set up everything correctly for long term growth.

In your Google search engine, search for Google Search Console and “Start now
Ensure your store is live, not protected by a password before submitting it to Google. You can verify your domain one of two ways.
You have different options to verify your ownership, select HTML tag.
From here head to your Shopify store and navigate to “Online Store” > Actions > Edit Code
Find the code <HEAD> then press enter to add a blank line underneath and paste the code (from Google Search Console) to verify ownership. Remember to save .

Submit sitemap

It is always a good idea to run a test and check to see if Google is finding and indexing your website.

Search Google by typing in your site: https://www.YOURDOMAINHERE/’

Example: https://thebrainchild.com.au/

Indexing is crucial for getting Google to find and “crawl” your website’s pages. When Google crawls your site, it looks for keywords, metadata, and other signals that help it decide where to rank your content.

To help Google find your website, you’ll need to submit your sitemap regularly, especially whenever you make updates. This sitemap acts as a roadmap, guiding Google to the important pages on your site.

If you can’t find your sitemap, you can submit it directly to Google Search Console. This tool helps you monitor your site’s performance and troubleshoot any indexing issues.

STEP 1: On- Page SEO Audit

Submitting your sitemap directly to Google:

Sitemaps act as a guide for search engines, telling them which pages are on your website and when they were last updated. Every website has a sitemap that automatically updates with the latest information.

If you’re using Shopify, your sitemap is usually automatically submitted to Google. However, if you make significant changes to your website, like updating title tags, URLs, or major content, you’ll need to manually resubmit your sitemap.

To submit your sitemap:

Register to Google Search Console
Select your site on the home page
Click Sitemaps for the menu on the left
Type in sitemap.xml into the text field next to your domain
Click Submit

STEP 2: Keywords Research

Keywords are the words and phrases you use on your website to attract people searching for related topics. By including relevant keywords in your content, meta descriptions, title tags, URLs, and more, you can make your website more discoverable.

Even if people aren’t searching for your business directly, they might be looking for something that you can connect to through blog posts or product descriptions.

Keywords are the foundation of your SEO strategy.

Let’s dive into the tools you’ll need to build a powerful SEO plan, two great tools are:

Google Keyword Planner is a fantastic tool for finding new keyword ideas and blog post topics. It’s also great for analysing your competitors’ keywords. Just enter their website URL, and see what keywords they’re using. You might be surprised by the ideas you discover! This tool can help you find search terms you never would have thought of.

Keywords Everywhere is a paid Chrome extension that lets you check the monthly search volume, CPC (cost per click), and competition data for keywords on multiple websites, including Etsy. It’s a powerful tool, but it’s a paid service, so you might want to consider your budget before investing.

It’s a great way to research keywords and understand their search volume and competition. You can turn it on or off as needed, and you only pay for the searches you perform.

Here’s what you need to know about the data you’ll find in keyword research tools:

This is the average number of times a keyword has been searched for each month over the past year. For example, a search volume of 1000 means the keyword was searched 1000 times on average per month.

The cost per click (CPC) is the amount advertisers pay for each click on their ad when someone searches for that keyword.

This measures the number of advertisers bidding on that keyword. A lower number means less competition, while a higher number means more competition.

The trend data shows the actual search volume for a keyword over the past 12 months. In Keywords Everywhere, you can see this data in a chart. If you download the data, you can see the specific search volume for each month. This is helpful for understanding keyword trends and seasonality.

This metric indicates how difficult it is to rank for a keyword on Google. A higher number means the top-ranking pages are well-optimized with good backlinks and domain authority, making it harder to compete. A lower number means there’s a better chance of ranking, as the top results may not be as optimized or have strong domain authority.

This metric measures the link equity and domain authority of the top 10 results for a keyword. A higher number means these pages have strong domain authority and backlinks.

This metric measures how well the page content has been optimized for the top 10 results shown on Google for a keyword. A higher number means these pages are well-optimized, and you’ll likely need strong domain authority and backlinks to rank for that keyword

Keywords are the secret ingredient to boosting your online visibility and attracting your ideal customers. Let’s say your niche is helping free souls and spirits express themselves through bohemian-inspired clothing, accessories, and resources. You offer unique straw hats that customers can personalize with their names or custom wording.

By strategically incorporating keywords like “bohemian straw hats” and “personalized hats” into your website content, you can make sure your brand pops up when potential customers search for exactly what you offer. You should focus on long-tail keywords. These are specific keywords that get less search traffic but often have a higher conversion value, think “personalized ivory sun hat UK” instead of “hat”

Think of keywords as a digital signpost that guides customers to your door.

STEP 3: Website Loading Speed

Fact: Google wants to get paid.

Therefore they need to keep their users happy, and that means showing them relevant and high-quality content. If your website takes too long to load, people will leave, which is bad for Google’s user experience. So, it’s important to make sure your website loads quickly.

Attention span is…close to 0.

Go to: https://pagespeed.web.dev/ and enter your URL and analyse.

You can use tools to measure your website’s loading speed and identify areas for improvement. This is crucial because a slow website can drive visitors away. If you see alerts, follow the recommendations to fix any issues.

Images can be a double-edged sword. They make your website visually appealing, but large files can slow things down. To keep your website speedy, try these tips:

Compress your images: Tools like tinypng.com or tinyjpg.com can shrink your image size without sacrificing quality. Think of it like packing light for a trip – it saves space and makes things easier to manage!
Use apps wisely: Not all apps are created equal. Too many can add extra code to your Shopify store, slowing it down. Stick to the essentials that truly enhance your website.
Ditch the slider overload: Sliders with five or six high-res images might look cool, but they can bog down your website. Consider using hero banners instead – they pack a visual punch while keeping things smooth.
Embrace JPEG: JPEG is the best image format for most e-commerce stores. It offers a good balance between quality and size.

STEP 4: Internal Links

Google needs your help to explore your website! By linking your website pages together, you’re creating a clear path for Google to follow.

Think of it like building a road network – the more interconnected your pages are, the easier it is for Google to navigate.

Make sure your internal links are relevant and working. Imagine a customer wandering around your website and stumbling upon broken links – not a great experience!

When you start blogging, link your blog posts to your products whenever relevant. This helps Google connect the dots and understand your content better. Linking related blog posts together is another smart move. It helps Google see the bigger picture and associate your content with relevant keywords and topics.

By making navigation easy for both Google and your customers, you’re increasing the chances of them finding and buying your products.

STEP 5: Your On-Site SEO

Title Tags: Create concise and compelling titles that include your target keyword. This is the headline that appears in search engine results.
Meta Descriptions: Write persuasive descriptions that summarize your content and encourage clicks. Include your target keyword naturally.
URL Structure: Use clear and keyword-rich URLs. Hyphenate words for better readability and SEO.
Header Tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content and highlight important keywords.
Image Optimization: Use descriptive file names and alt text for your images.
Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly to provide a seamless user experience.

Here is a step by step example for how on-site SEO works on shopify:

Click on a product, scroll down to the bottom, and find ‘Edit Website SEO.’ This is where you’ll find the Title Tag, Meta Description, and URL / Handle fields. What you enter in these fields will appear in search engine results pages when your content ranks.
The Page title is the first line, followed by the meta description. The URL handle is below that. Use your main long-tail keyword in both the SEO title and meta description. (Shopify automatically fills in these fields, but it doesn’t know your target keywords – It’s better to do it yourself. In the meta description, describe what searchers can expect from your page, include your target keyword.)
Place your main keyword into the URL too. Separating the words of title by hyphen is most suitable for searching any data. So let’s have a look at my store again as an example.

STEP 6: Your Off-Site SEO

Backlink Building: Acquire high-quality backlinks from other reputable websites to increase your website’s authority.
Social Media Marketing: Promote your website and content on social media platforms to increase brand awareness and drive traffic.
Local SEO: Optimize your website for local search to attract customers in your specific geographic area.

Let’s say you run a small business selling handmade jewelry. Your target keyword is “handmade jewelry.”

Here’s how you could use off-page SEO to boost your online visibility:

Guest Posting:
- Identify Relevant Blogs: Find popular fashion or lifestyle blogs that accept guest posts.
- Write High-Quality Content: Create a well-written article on a relevant topic, such as “5 DIY Jewelry Projects for Beginners.”
- Include a Backlink: Naturally incorporate a link back to your website within the article, such as “Check out our handmade jewelry collection at [Your Website Link].”
Social Media Engagement:
- Share Your Content: Post your blog posts, products, and other relevant content on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, messages, and questions promptly.
- Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers in the fashion or jewelry niche to promote your products.
Local SEO:
- Claim Your Google My Business Listing: Create a Google My Business profile and optimize it with accurate business information, photos, and reviews.
- Encourage Customer Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on Google and other review platforms.

STEP 7: Your Homepage

Think of your banner and homepage as your website’s storefront. It should quickly and clearly convey what your business does and how it benefits your customers. Keep your message concise and consistent across all your marketing channels.

Think about the unique value your products offer. Are they better quality? Do they solve a problem? What makes them stand out? Clearly communicate this message on your homepage and throughout your website.

Your navigation menu should be clear and focused on your website’s goals. You want to guide visitors towards making a purchase. Keep your menu options simple and minimal. Too many options can confuse visitors. A well-organized navigation menu makes it easier for both users and Google to understand your website’s content. Remember, less is more.

It’s important to include your full address location on your website, especially if you plan to use Google Shopping. This is a requirement and helps build trust with potential customers.

Displaying a professional email address and shipping address shows that you’re a legitimate business. While your Instagram or TikTok followers might trust you, new visitors who find your website through SEO might need more reassurance.

Consider adding your contact details to your social media profiles as well.

Things to remember on your site:

Put your customers first.
Use long-tail keywords strategically.
Talk about your customers, not yourself.
Identify your unique selling proposition.
Add reviews and user-generated content (UGC).
Use customer photos.
Reviews are crucial for building trust and improving your search rankings.

Products that sell

Your product descriptions should be captivating and persuasive. They should evoke feelings and emotions, just like a sales pitch in a physical store. Instead of just selling the product, sell the solution. Focus on how your product can improve your customers’ lives.

Use keywords strategically throughout your descriptions.

Your product description should:

Answer all potential questions
Highlight features and benefits
Address pain points
Be concise and clear
Focus on the problem your product solves
Differentiate yourself
Use your customers’ language
Appeal to the senses

Don’t limit yourself to selling just one product. As your business grows, offer a variety of products, both digital and physical.

Cross-selling is a powerful strategy. Add links to related products on your product pages to encourage customers to buy multiple items.
Use apps like Vitals to create bundle prices. This can increase your average order value and boost sales.
Create coupon codes for multiple purchases. Encourage customers to buy more by offering discounts for purchasing two or more items.
Use an app to promote these discounts. During checkout, the app can prompt customers to spend more to reach the next discount level. This can significantly increase your average order value.
Consider other upselling strategies. Offer store-wide sales or create gift cards, gift boxes, or mystery boxes to encourage customers to buy more.
Set up automatic offers for abandoned carts. This can help recover lost sales.

Your Product Page Optimization:

Write compelling headlines: Your headline should be informative and motivational, highlighting the benefits of your product and encouraging customers to buy.
Use high-quality product photos: Clear, well-lit images are essential for showcasing your products effectively.
Have eye-catching call-to-action buttons: Your “Add to Cart” buttons should be large, easily visible, and in a contrasting color.
Encourage customer reviews: Positive reviews build trust and credibility. Consider running a contest or giveaway to incentivize customers to leave reviews.
Highlight benefits and outcomes: Focus on the experience and transformation your product offers, not just the product itself.
Include product videos: Videos can provide a visual context and directly engage your audience.
Answer customer questions: Create a comprehensive FAQ section to address common questions about your product, shipping, returns, exchanges, and company values.
Optimize for SEO: Use long-tail keywords in your product titles, page content, and image file names.

Marketing tips

Create automated email sequences: Welcome new subscribers and send abandoned cart reminders.
Establish a strong social media presence: Post regularly, engage with your audience, and share your blog posts.
Start a blog: Link your blog posts to your website and promote them on social media.
Create short video content: Demonstrate your products on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
Engage with your customers: Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and encourage discussions.
Collect data with quizzes: Segment your email list based on quiz results.
Reach out to other websites and bloggers: Collaborate on guest posts or feature each other’s listings.
Contact influencers: Partner with influencers in your niche.
Register with HARO Media: Connect with journalists for potential media coverage.
Gather customer feedback: Ask your customers why they did or didn’t purchase from you. This valuable feedback can help you improve your business.
Try Google Ads: Once your website is optimized, experiment with Google Ads. Start with a small budget and assess your return on investment.
Reward loyal customers: Offer coupons and freebies to repeat buyers.
Create excitement with flash sales: Offer limited-time discounts to generate urgency.
Run giveaways to collect leads: Offer a freebie (PDF, checklist, tutorial, or mini-course) in exchange for email addresses.
Add secret tickets to orders: Create a sense of excitement and encourage customers to share their purchases.
Run contests: Ask customers to post about your products and explain why they love them. Select a winner and offer a refund.
Use contests to collect data: Ask customers about their preferences and use this information to improve your product offerings.
Create a Linktree link: Add links to your store and email list sign-up page on platforms like Linktree. Share this link on your social media bios.
Set up an affiliate program: Partner with influencers or other businesses to promote your products.
Improve your service and offerings: Focus on faster production and delivery times and consider offering free shipping.
Participate in online communities: Answer questions and provide value on platforms like Quora and Reddit.
Keep adding products: Expanding your product range can increase your reach and momentum.

Well done for making it all the way through!

There is a lot when it comes to search engine optimisation, but just by reading this article you’re on the right track… and remember we’re always here to offer professional help if you need!