Every business on the internet wants to know how they can get their website ranked well enough to show up on the first page of search engines, mainly Google. It really is a million-dollar question and if the answer was as simple as the question then I would be out of a job however, it is not simple and instead requires a great deal of patience, time, effort, and understanding. The good thing is you are in the right place to start the adventure of 1st page Google rankings and we are the team of experts that can help get you there!
It is important to first understand how search engines like Google work. Many people use Google and the Internet interchangeably. This is however, incorrect. The internet is, “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols.” (https://www.dictionary.com) In real people speak, the internet is the one source where the world can connect without borders. This connection involves search engines, web sites, and more. Google is not actually the Internet and even if your site is not ranking on the first page of Google does not mean it is not showing up on the Internet. What it does mean though is that your website it lives on the internet but is not displayed as an option in Google’s search results for the exact keyword that was searched.
Google is not human, it is in fact an automated system that works 24/7/365 visiting websites throughout the internet. Google takes a glimpse of each page within the website and tucks this information into a large database where it organizes this information into usable data for later search inquiries.
In theory Google is “reading” the content on pages of your website including text, pictures, video, and audio files. This data is used to determine exactly what that page of your website is about and uses it to decide what web pages to show in searches and in what order for specific keywords and keyword phrases. In real speak, Google uses several elements to create an algorithm to establish what pages (websites) within the Internet are the most relevant to the specific phrase that is searched and displays them in order of relevance. These results are known as SERP, Search Engine Results Page; the result, the SERP is defined as the first ten website pages that are shown.
A SERP itself is broken down in a unique format. The top results are usually comprised of paid ads that come from Google Ads, formerly known as Google Adwords. The next section is filled with local businesses listings and a map laying out the locations and basic service area. After that you will find the main area where the organic listings are found. These are the top 10 webpages Google has found that are relevant to the search term(s) as described above.
Often clients are on Google but just aren’t showing on the first page results. There are several factors that play into where your site pages are ranked within Google for searches using keywords and phrases that are relevant. The goal is to rank on the first page but just because you aren’t on page one doesn’t mean that you aren’t “on Google”.
To get ranked by Google your website and pages need to be indexed. This is the case for all search engines not just Google. There are several ways that this can be done: manually through an indexing tool such as Google Search Console or automatically over time as Google is scanning the internet it will find your site. This process can take some time though so if you have a newer site it is in your best interest to have the pages of the site manually indexed. If your page is not showing up in Googles search results for a keyword or phrase you think it should be it is time to evaluate the reasons this is occurring. Remember to look as you may not be coming up on the first page results but instead on a later SERP. Both are “issues” that can be resolved.
I know what you are thinking, “Ok, my site is there on page 17 but how in the world do I get it on page 1 where it will actually be seen?” This is the million-dollar question, it is what all website owners strive for. In fact, so much that there is an entire industry that was created to do this one specific thing, RANK WEBSITES AND PAGES ON GOOGLES FIRST PAGE! As we have mentioned, there are two ways that first page Google rankings can occur: paid advertising (Google Ads) and organic listings.
In our next installment we will dive into each method of reaching Googles front page. The one thing to remember is that if it was easy everyone would be there. The process of ranking on Googles first page through either paid or organic listings is not simple or overnight. It will take time, patience, and perseverance to obtain the status you are looking for with your website. Thankfully you have found right where you need to be! The professionals at Creative Programs and Systems are here to lead the way.
Creative Programs and Systems, CPS, is an all-inclusive IT solutions company offering a variety of services including: managed IT services, IT consulting, residential computer services, custom programming, website design, iphone & android app development, and more. More information can be found at https://cpsmi.com.