How to Improve Website Ranking on Google Search: 10 Proven Tactics for Top Results

Content is, and will always be, the backbone of SEO. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that simply producing a lot of content will cut it. Google wants relevant, authoritative content that directly meets user intent. When you create content, keep these essentials in mind:

• Understand Search Intent: Are people searching for quick answers, a tutorial, or maybe a product comparison? A successful content strategy should provide exactly what the target audience wants, right when they want it.
• Make It Digestible: Structure your content in a way that helps both users and search engines understand it. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down complex information so users can scan easily, and Google can accurately assess the content on a given page.
• Deliver Value: High-quality content should answer questions in-depth or present information in a way that stands out. Aim for uniqueness and authority—other websites may reference your content, building your site’s authority in the process.

Quick Tip: Content length can be an asset, but only when it adds value. Aim for 1,500 words or more, but remember that quality trumps quantity every time.

Here’s the thing about keywords: they’re no longer just about stuffing. Back in the day, you could overload a page with keywords and see results. Now? Google’s a lot smarter. Your keywords need to be intentional, with relevance and user intent in mind.

• Target Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail phrases (think: “how to improve website ranking on Google search”) are often less competitive and attract people searching with specific goals in mind.
• Keyword Placement: Your target keyword should be placed naturally throughout a page—in the title tag, headers, and meta description of the page, as well as in the body text. Don’t force it; it should read naturally.
• Use Keyword Research Tools: Platforms like Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs help identify relevant terms, providing context for what people decide to search for at any given time. This research is invaluable for staying current and understanding how search trends shift.

Veteran Insight: Keywords should always match the intent of people searching. Adapt as needed to keep your strategy in line with real-world behavior.

Backlinks are fundamental to SEO rankings, and building them remains one of the strongest ways to increase your Google rank. When other websites link to yours, it’s a signal of authority and relevance, which directly impacts your site’s authority.

• Create Shareable, High-Quality Content: In-depth guides, original research, and unique assets (like infographics) are excellent for attracting links. When you add high-quality images or engaging data, other pages are more likely to link to it.
• Focus on Internal Linking and Fixing Broken Links: Internal links keep users navigating between relevant pages on your site, while broken links or broken pages can hurt SEO. Regularly audit your site to find and fix any broken links, which could damage user experience and your SEO score.
• Avoid Low-Quality Links: Not all links are created equal. Low-authority, irrelevant links may harm your SEO. Quality over quantity—every time.

Expert’s Take: Securing backlinks from trusted, high-authority sites will do far more for your Google rank than collecting a mass of low-quality links.

On-page SEO is your opportunity to tell Google what each page is about, and it’s critical for helping search engines understand and rank your content. Don’t skip the details.

• Refine Your Titles and Meta Descriptions: Your page title and meta description should include the target keyword. A good meta description should be compelling, concise, and optimized for both users and search engines to maximize click-through rates.
• Organize with Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.): Structure matters. Organized headings make content easy to navigate and signal to Google what’s most important.
• Consider Schema Markup: Want to appear in rich snippets? Schema markup can help Google accurately categorize your content, enhancing visibility in search engine results.

Takeaway: Basic on-page SEO, like optimizing meta descriptions and title tags, might sound fundamental, but it often differentiates top-ranking sites from the rest.

Google wants to provide its users with a positive experience, and that includes a seamless visit to your site.

• Optimize Core Web Vitals: Page speed is a direct ranking factor, and it’s key for maintaining a positive user experience. Google’s Core Web Vitals prioritize load time, visual stability, and interactivity, so keep your site responsive.
• Mobile Optimization: Google’s mobile-first indexing means your site must look and perform well on mobile devices. Test your layout, images, and font sizes across devices to create a great experience for all users.
• Use Engaging Media: High-quality images, videos, and infographics help users engage with content, improving metrics like time on page—important for SEO rankings.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to metrics like bounce rate and average time on page. If people leave quickly, something’s off—adjust, test, and improve.

Technical SEO forms the foundation of any high-ranking site. It may go unnoticed by users, but Google certainly takes note.

• Use HTTPS: This one’s non-negotiable. Secure, HTTPS-enabled sites are prioritized by Google, and your visitors expect it.
• Sitemap and Robots.txt: A clean XML sitemap and well-configured robots.txt file are crucial for helping search engines index your site and avoid technical SEO problems.
• Eliminate Duplicate Content: Don’t let one page compete with another for the same keywords. Use canonical tags and perform regular audits to keep each page unique.

Best Practice: Technical SEO issues might sound complex, but even minor adjustments can improve your SEO rankings. Think of technical SEO as the bedrock of your entire site.

Fresh content is more appealing to Google, and regular updates signal that your site is active and current.

• Refresh Older Content: Update posts with new insights, statistics, or current information to keep it up to date and relevant. Content that’s kept fresh often earns renewed attention in Google’s search results.
• Audit for Technical Issues and Content Gaps: Run audits to identify underperforming pages and find areas where your content strategy could improve. Address technical issues, refresh key pages, and fill any gaps with high-quality content.

Routine Reminder: Schedule regular content updates, especially for cornerstone pages, to keep everything aligned with current search behavior and user needs.

For businesses serving local markets, optimizing for local SEO can make a huge difference.

• Optimize Google My Business: Claim your profile, keep it updated, and encourage reviews. Active engagement can enhance your presence in local search engine results.
• Use Local Keywords and Internal Linking: Place region-specific terms in your titles, meta descriptions, and service pages to capture local searches. Use internal linking to help users navigate to specific location-based pages.

Worth Noting: Local SEO is essential for connecting with nearby customers—if it applies to your business, it should be a top priority.

High-quality images are essential for creating engaging content, but they must be optimized for SEO.

• Use Descriptive Alt Text: Alt text helps search engines understand images and improves accessibility for screen readers.
• Compress Images: Page speed is vital, so compress images to maintain fast load times without sacrificing quality.
• Optimize File Names and Anchor Text: Name images descriptively (e.g., “website-ranking-tips.jpg”) and use relevant anchor text for links to provide context for both users and search engines.

Nugget of Wisdom: Optimized images enhance user experience and reduce bounce rates, which positively impacts SEO.

SEO is a dynamic field, and regular tracking allows you to stay on top of performance.

• Use Google Search Console and Analytics: These tools let you monitor your organic traffic, track high-performing keywords, and identify potential technical SEO problems.
• Set Clear KPIs: Define your conversion rates, bounce rates, and average time on page to gauge performance.
• Experiment with A/B Testing: Testing variations of your meta descriptions, page titles, or CTAs can help you refine content for better results.

Key Thought: SEO requires constant adaptation. Keep an eye on trends, test frequently, and adjust your strategy based on data.