You want to get higher in Google today? Preferably at the top of course ….
That is going to work. This article will help you with that. No worries ;-).
Often people are put off by all kinds of tricky SEO terms, but it’s not as difficult as you think, believe me!
In this article I will explain exactly (step-by-step) how you can get high in Google with your website .
See this piece as a practical SEO guide that allows you to optimize both existing and new pages and blogs.
I will share all my SEO tips and tactics with you.
Think yourself, how often do you click further than the first results page?
Some nice Google facts:
90% of all searchers look no further than the first results page of Google.
The 1st position in Google yields as much as 30-35% of all searches.
I think you are convinced now. Let’s start!
Focus on the right search terms
Take the page that you want to get to the top of Google. Then check which question this page answers.
Which search term best suits this? What does the searcher type when he asks this question?
A word? A short term? A long term? A whole sentence?
Which keyword combination will the user enter
People often search for multiple words. Or you literally enter the question. They do this to get a better answer to their question.
If I ask you this:
On what term do you want to come to the top of Google? Then you probably call a keyword combination of 1 or 2 words.
If this is not the case, then you are an exception, believe me 😉
In practice I often get to hear that they want to score on short search terms such as: men’s bike, mountain bike, ladies bike, driving school, law firm, mortgage, etc. etc.
Very general terms that are far from specific. These are also called shorttail search terms.
Example:
If I search for the term “men’s bike”.
What does that say about what I’m looking for?
Yes, a men’s bike but what and how? Do I want to buy a bicycle? Used or new? Online or in a physical bicycle store? Am I only orienting myself?
Well, you get it. In fact, a shorttail search term is often a meaningless term (too broad) for you to quickly get higher in Google.
Of course it exudes a bit of authority when you score with your bike shop on the term “men’s bike” but that is not the strength.
It is labor intensive (read: takes a lot of time) to rank for short search terms. It takes a lot of time because the competition is strong. In addition, the conversion is often low.
The power lies in the longer search terms, consisting of 3, 4, 5 sometimes 7 words. The more specific, the better often.
These long keyword combinations are also called longtail search terms.
To come back to the example of the men’s bike.
A longtail term could be: “Blue men’s bike with leather saddle” or “Lightweight men’s bike with 21 gears and suspension”.
If one searches for one of these terms, a specific product will be sought. This always results in a higher conversion.
Now you know how to determine the right search terms. Then we will now take as many tips as possible to make your website or online store even better in Google.
Higher in Google with the best page on the internet!
Before your page gets higher in Google, you have to ask yourself the following:
Is this the best page of the web on this topic?
If so, then you are right.
If not, you can make the page better so that it fits seamlessly with the needs of the searcher. The more specific, the better.
For example, you can improve the texts or make the whole thing more visual with pictures, but we will come back to this.
The page should answer the questions and problems of the user.
The user must immediately see what the page is about and whether you can solve his problem. You often only have 2 seconds to convince the visitor that he has to read.
If that is all right, you can download this SEO checklist (PDF) for free and use it to optimize the webpage for Google.
Tip: For an optimal result, print this checklist!
However, keep in mind that higher up in Google is not a goal but a means.
Master title The best title
The title must really be a masterpiece.
The visitor must be teased and cannot wait to click the page. He must feel that he is losing something if he does not click further.
A masterful title should be attractive, understandable for the target group, concrete and should above all make clear what it provides for him. (what’s in it for me?)
An “everything is fine” introduction
The introduction is almost always read. Because it gives a good impression of the content. So you have only one chance to drag the visitor into the page.
Describe the problem of the searcher. Ask questions.
And clearly show that you are the one who can solve his problem. Rest assured. Everything will be fine!
Scanable heads
They come to a page they read your title, introduction and scan the headlines. Before you decided if you were going to read the article, did you scroll down?
(Between) headers invite readers to read further. Make them so wildly attractive!
Search engines such as Google are also happy with a page with headlines and subheadings. Because they indicate what the important elements of a text are.
Sexy words
Words can be sexy. More readable!
You can do this by printing words in bold, italicizing or passing them. By emphasizing text you help readers to scan the text better.
Applying text properties can accentuate important parts of the web page.
A picture paints a thousand words
Visual content You know the proverb! Visitors love visual content. You too?
You go after yourself. How boring is a web page without images or video?
Some facts about visual content:
Is recorded up to 600,000 times faster than ordinary text
Will be shared 40 times faster on social media
Get 90% more views
In addition, people remember 80% of what they see and only 20% of what they read. Convinced?
Show your expert status
Let readers know that you know everything about the subject. You understand the problem like no other. Have a lot of experience with it. Know everything about it.
You are the one who can solve his problem. That is what I do with the articles on my SEO blog.
If the visitor is convinced it will read more articles on your website.
Make sure that visitors read on
You can do this by linking smartly to relevant articles.
Articles that are additional to the subject of the web page. You make your website even more complete 😉
Link not only to pages within your own website! But also to other relevant and strong pages on other websites.
This is valuable for visitors, but search engines also appreciate this.
Because you help them to indicate what other valuable pages are. Otherwise you would not link to it anyway?
“And on that bombshell, it’s time to end”
You probably know this? Jeremy Clarkson, presenter of the British car program Topgear closes the program.
You should also do that with your page, a big closing!
Closing of the web page
Name the problem again and summarize the web page. Do not forget to include the keyword in it!
In addition, the reader is at a point that he cannot go any further, or at least does not know what to do.
Help him! Make clear what you expect from the reader.
Do you want that: He reads further on your website? Request information? Register? Share content via social media? Or leave a comment?
Make it as easy as possible 😉
Improve and share again!
The web page has now been improved, more complete and even more valuable than before. Readers now get a better answer to their question and know what to do.
A page that has been updated can safely be re-shared via social media.
Share the page again via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
The social boost will have a positive influence on the rankings of your page.