How to Rank Website on Google First Page in 15 Essential Steps

Ranking your website on Google's first page is a challenging task, but with the right strategy, it's achievable. According to Google's algorithm, having high-quality content is key, with 70% of users focusing on content creation.

To create high-quality content, you need to understand your target audience. Research shows that 85% of businesses fail to understand their target audience, leading to irrelevant content. Identify your audience's needs and preferences to create content that resonates with them.

A well-structured website is also essential for ranking. Google's algorithm favors websites with clear navigation and easy-to-find content. Aim to have a website that loads in under 3 seconds to improve user experience.

Keyword research is another crucial step in ranking your website. Identify relevant keywords and phrases that your target audience uses to search for content like yours. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find the best keywords for your content.

Keyword research is a crucial step in getting your website to rank on the first page of Google. To start, you need to identify keywords that your target audience is searching for and that your site has a realistic chance to rank well for. This involves drawing up a list of relevant keywords, such as "concrete repair", "driveway repair", "sidewalk repair", and "foundation repair", as mentioned in example 3.

You can use tools like the Keyword Surfer Chrome extension to generate more ideas and narrow down your focus to realistic targets for your website. For instance, if you're targeting keywords like "concrete float", you need to determine how likely your site is to rank for it, considering the competition. A simple way to get an idea about keyword difficulty is to browse through the search engine results, as shown in example 5.

To identify related keywords, you can use Google itself to find great related keywords for your blog posts. Start by typing your seed keyword in Google and note other keywords that come up in the Autosuggest dropdown, check out the questions in the "People also ask" section, and scroll down to the bottom of the results page to note the terms Google lists in the "Additional searches" section. For example, if you're writing about "sidewalk crack repair", Google may suggest related searches like "sidewalk repair kit" and "driveway crack repair", as shown in example 6.

Here are some key factors to consider when picking your target keywords:

By considering these factors and using tools like Google Search Console or Semrush’s Keyword Gap tool, you can identify the target keyword you wish to rank for and improve your chances of getting your website to rank on the first page of Google.

To identify common keywords in top results, you can use tools like Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer. Enter your keyword, choose your target country, and go to the Related terms report. Toggle "Also talk about" and "Top 10" to see which keywords are frequently mentioned on first-page results.

For example, many first-page results for "best running shoes for flat feet" mention "arch support" and "muscle weakness." These are obviously problems that folks with flat feet care about, so your content should address them.

You can also look for common keyword rankings among first-page results. Enter your keyword, choose your target country, and go to the Related terms report. Toggle "Also rank for" and "Top 10" to see which keywords are frequently ranked by top results.

Here are some examples of common keyword rankings:

To see common keyword rankings for specific top-ranking pages, use the Content Gap tool in Ahrefs' Site Explorer. This will help you understand what searchers are looking for and create content that aligns with their intent.

Researching keywords is a crucial step in getting your content to the first page of Google. Start by drawing up a list of keywords that are relevant to your business.

To identify relevant keywords, use tools like Google Search Console or Semrush's Keyword Gap tool. Focus on improving rankings for keywords where your website currently appears on the second page. This will give you a better understanding of what your target audience is searching for.

For example, if you're building a website for a concrete repair company, some of your seed keywords might be concrete repair, driveway repair, sidewalk repair, and foundation repair.

Using tools like Keyword Surfer Chrome extension can also help generate more ideas. Just type your keyword into Google, and Surfer does the rest. Do that a few times and you'll have a solid list of relevant keywords that fit well with your niche and that your potential users are searching for.

It's essential to narrow down your focus to keywords that are realistic targets for your website. Don't target the keywords with the most Google searches, as they are also the most competitive keywords.

Instead, focus on four key factors when picking your target keywords:

For instance, "best concrete float" is a long-tail keyword with lower volume, but it has great conversion potential.

Content Optimization is crucial for ranking on Google's first page. To optimize your content, start by making sure your page is optimized for on-page SEO, which includes creating SEO-friendly URLs, incorporating your target keyword naturally, and ensuring your page is mobile-friendly and fast-loading.

You can also use tools like Semrush's Keyword Overview to understand the intent behind search terms and tailor your content accordingly. For example, if you're targeting the keyword "best running shoes for flat feet", you should address problems that folks with flat feet care about, such as "arch support" and "muscle weakness."

To find common keyword mentions on first-page results, use tools like Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer. For example, many first-page results for "best running shoes for flat feet" mention "arch support" and "muscle weakness."

Aligning with search intent is crucial for content optimization. You need to understand what searchers are looking for when they type in a keyword. Google wants to rank pages that align with the searcher's intent, making it nearly impossible to rank on the first page if your page doesn't match.

To get an idea of what searchers want, look at the most common type, format, and angle of pages ranking on the first page. For example, for the keyword "sweaters", all the top-ranking pages are e-commerce category pages.

Decode search intent by understanding the intent behind search terms. Tools like Semrush's Keyword Overview can help you identify the intent behind search terms, such as whether "toy dog" refers to a breed or a product.

Here are some common keyword mentions on first-page results:

These are obviously problems that folks with flat feet care about, so your content should address them.

By understanding search intent and aligning your content with it, you can increase your chances of ranking on the first page.

Content format plays a crucial role in determining which type of content appears on the first page of Google. Most results for specific queries like "how to get on the first page of google" are step-by-step tutorials.

If you're mainly seeing list-based content, it's likely listicles. Listicles are a popular format where multiple items are presented in a list format. For example, a listicle on "blogging tips and tricks" can be effective for beginners.

Step-by-step tutorials are another common format, where users are guided through a process with clear instructions. Reviews and comparisons are also popular, especially for products or services.

Here are some common content formats that appear on the first page:

By understanding the common formats used on the first page, you can create content that's more likely to rank higher in search engine results.

Google uses subheadings to try to better understand the content on the page. This doesn't necessarily mean they're a ranking factor, but they improve your content by making it easier to digest and skim. That can have an indirect impact on SEO.

Using subheadings for important subtopics is a great idea. Our advice is to use them.

Internally linking your pages is a great way to boost your PageRank (PR) and help Google rank your webpages. This is because the more internal links a page has, the more PR it will receive.

The good news is that you don't have to manually search for internal linking opportunities on your website. Tools like Ahrefs' Site Audit can help you find them quickly and efficiently.

The Internal Link Opportunities report in Ahrefs' Site Audit is a great place to start. This report finds on-site mentions of words and phrases your page already ranks for, and it's free to use with an Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (AWT) account.

To use this report, follow these steps: go to Site Audit, click the Internal link opportunities report, search for the URL of the page you want to rank on the first page, and choose "Target URL" from the dropdown.

Here's an example of how this report can help you find internal linking opportunities. For instance, if your keyword research guide ranks for "keyword research", the report will find unlinked mentions of that keyword on your site, and you can then internally link those words and phrases to your guide.

Another tool you can use to find internal linking opportunities is the Page Explorer tool in Ahrefs' Site Audit. This tool shows all kinds of data about the pages on your website, but you can apply filters to find internal linking opportunities.

To use this tool, follow these steps: go to Site Audit, click the Page Explorer tool, click "Advanced filter", set the first rule to URL Not contains [URL of the page you want to add internal links to], set the second rule to Internal outlinks Not contains [URL of the page you want to add internal links to], and set the third rule to Page text Contains [keyword you want to rank for on the first page].

Here's an example of how this tool can help you find internal linking opportunities. For instance, if your pogo-sticking guide mentions the keyword "free keyword research tools" but doesn't link to your list of free keyword tools, you can use this tool to find that opportunity and add a relevant internal link.

Including related keywords in your article is a crucial step in content optimization. This helps search engines understand the context and intent of your content, making it more likely to rank well.

To find related keywords, you can use Google itself. Start typing your seed keyword in Google and note other keywords that come up in the Autosuggest dropdown. You can also check out the questions in the "People also ask" section and scroll down to the bottom of the results page to note the terms Google lists in the "Additional searches" section.

Make a list of additional keywords to include in your article by gathering these three tools. Repeat the process for the new set of keywords until you have enough semantic terms for your blog post or until you start running into repeats.

Not all the keywords you gather will fit the article you're writing, so weed out the ones that don't match the intent of your post.

Here's an example of how to use this process:

By including related keywords in your article, you can improve your chances of ranking well for various related terms and leave clues about the queries your content answers.

Having an active social media presence is a must for content optimization. It acts as an important trust signal to Google.

A robust social presence can support your SEO efforts by increasing post engagement, sharing, and reach. This can help drive more traffic to your content.

Not only does social media help with SEO, but it also allows you to share your great content with a wider audience.

Optimizing user engagement is key to making your content shine. By targeting SERP features, you can enhance your visibility and improve user engagement.

Users who interact with these features are more likely to find the information they need quickly and trust your brand. This is because SERP features help users quickly find what they're looking for.

Decoding search intent is vital to creating content that resonates with your audience. For example, "toy dog" might refer to a breed, whereas "dog toy" likely refers to products.

To understand search intent, tools like Semrush’s Keyword Overview can offer valuable insights. This can help you tailor your content accordingly and improve user engagement.

Having an active social media presence is a must for supporting your SEO efforts. It acts as an important trust signal to Google and can drive engagement, sharing, and reach for your content.

To rank your website on Google's first page, incorporating on-page SEO optimization is essential. This involves naturally incorporating your target keyword in your content, especially in the first few sentences, headings, and the page title.

Ensure your page is mobile-friendly and fast-loading, as these factors directly affect user experience and SEO. A mobile-friendly page will improve your website's accessibility and user engagement.

Your target keyword's ranking in search engine results should improve over time, along with an increase in the number of impressions, or the number of times your article appears in search results. This is a good indicator of your post's overall search visibility.

Average SERP position and impressions over time will give you a clear picture of your website's performance.

Link building is a crucial step in getting your website to rank on the first page of Google. You need to secure backlinks from reputable sites, as Google considers them endorsements, enhancing the credibility and rank of your page.

The #1 result in Google has an average of 3.8x more backlinks than positions #2-#10, so it's essential to build a strong link profile. One way to do this is by building links through email and social media, but this will only give you a short-term boost.

You can also build backlinks by pointing out broken links on other sites and offering your content as an alternative. This is known as broken-link building.

Here are some ways to build backlinks to your content:

You should also try to get at least one dofollow link back to your content when guest posting.

To give you a rough estimate of how many backlinks you need, Ahrefs offers a keyword difficulty checker. However, take this number with a large pinch of salt, as it's far from an exact science.

Here are some resources to help you build backlinks:

Measuring your blog's performance is crucial to success, and you don't have to track everything. In fact, 86% of companies track 10 or fewer metrics, and 46% rely on just 3-5 key indicators of SEO performance.

To get started, track pageviews and sessions, which give you an idea of traffic trends and patterns. You want to see pageviews for each post grow over time, and ideally, you'll have many more pageviews than sessions, indicating visitors click through to multiple articles.

Tracking pageviews and sessions also helps you determine which posts are bringing in the most organic traffic to your site overall, giving you valuable insights to refine your content strategy.

Measuring your blog performance is crucial to its long-term success. You don't have to spend all your time doing it, though - 86% of companies track 10 or fewer metrics, and 46% rely on just 3-5 key indicators of SEO performance.

Tracking pageviews and sessions is a good place to start. Pageviews give you a count of how many times your articles are viewed, and sessions tell you how many times visitors enter your site. Ideally, you'll have many more pageviews than sessions, indicating visitors click through to multiple articles.

Pageviews help determine traffic trends and patterns. You want to see pageviews for each post grow over time. Sessions, on the other hand, give you a count of the number of times visitors enter your site, helping you determine which posts are bringing in the most organic traffic.

Click-through rate (CTR) is another important metric to track. It shows how closely your post title and meta description align with search intent. If your CTR is low, it might mean your title and meta description don't match what users are looking for.

Fetch via Search Console is a crucial step to get your content indexed quickly. It's a simple process that can make a big difference in your website's visibility.

To start, head to your Google Search Console property. This is where you'll find the tools to help you manage your site's presence on Google.

Go to the URL inspection tab, where you can check the status of your URLs and request indexing. This is a two-second job that can speed up the indexing process.

If your URL is already on Google, you can still request indexing to update its status. If it's brand new, this step will add it to the virtual crawling queue.

Requesting indexing through Search Console is a quick and easy way to get your content in front of Google's crawlers.