Top 10 Things that Affect Your Google Page Rank

So many companies we meet with have the same desire – a Page 1 Google Ranking. If you have any real desire to grow your business in today’s marketplace, you need Google to help you.

There are a lot of ever-changing factors that Google considers when ranking a page. Some of those things we can’t control, but others we can. Here are the Top 10 things that Affect a Google Ranking and whether or not it can even be controlled.

1. Relevant Content

Google’s business is built on connecting a searcher with the most applicable destination possible. If you aren’t getting that result most of the time, you are likely to look elsewhere for that content. Because of this, Google’s algorithm is constantly evolving to deliver more and more relevant content, while weeding out those trying to game the system. You have to provide a reason to Google that you better deserve a ranking than some other site.

Focus on the thing that makes you different or better than someone else – location, expertise, specialty, longevity – and provide the best information you can to be matched with a searcher.

2. Website Page Optimization

SEO companies can best be described as taking a graphic web designer’s form and helping make it as findable as possible by a search engine. This can range from something as simple as updating content to modifying the structure of the site to keep up with Google’s algorithm changes.

3. Domain Age

A domain is the address for your website (e.g., en.wikipedia.org).  The age of a domain (with the date it was registered as its birthday) suggests to Google that a company has a history and is therefore more relevant than a new kid on the block. This is a similar idea to someone searching for a contractor that is concerned about a workmanship warranty on the work performed. A company’s history can be a good indicator for future performance and age is the easiest way to gauge this.

4. Domain Authority

Besides age, Google uses a metric called Domain Authority. This is a measure of the domain name that looks at popularity and size. It isn’t so much an actual item you can influence as much as it is a way for you to evaluate your overall performance. It’s a good item to continually look at to see if your site is improving based on any changes you’re making.

5. Page Names

It’s important to have page names that easy to understand. A page URL should look more like ‘www.mywebsite.com/webdesign/samples’ and should avoid looking like ‘www.mywebsite.com/1109/15A’. It is much easier for Google to find when you have the right name for a page.

6. Backlinks

Backlinks are links between sites originating from outside of your page. We encourage our customers to work within their business network to establish connections between their sites. It is important that these links are also relevant. An example of a backlink would be an auto parts dealer linking to an auto manufacturer’s website. It’s a mutually beneficial link that not only elevates the ranking for the auto manufacturer, but more importantly, it provides a user with further information.

7. Links

Within a site, it’s important that the pages are tied together in a way that makes sense. A lot of emphasis in the past was on the site map or site directory. The basic premise is that the pages of your website need to be linked together.

8. Keywords

You type words when you search and so it is obvious that Google would focus on words when evaluating relevancy. The term “keywords” is a catch-all for different ways that things on a page are displayed. How pages are titled and images are tagged are keywords. How the content is written should focus on specific keywords you would like Google to attach to your business.

9. Local

Most companies aren’t competing in a national arena, they are local. Google has done a lot to focus its search relevancy on local listings. Be sure to update your local pages in Google so you are appealing to your market.

10. Social Media Connections

Whether it is Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, make sure you are connecting your page with your social media presence. This content provides a real link connecting your online presence and completing the circle for Google.

The things you can’t control: Domain Age

The things you can control: For the most part, everything else listed can be improved by working with the right people.

Remember, Google’s goal is to deliver the most relevant content to the searcher. And the statistics speak for themselves – 32.5% of clicks in Google are on the top result and 91.7% of all clicks are on the first page (results 1-10). https://chitika.com/google-positioning-value