How long will it take me to get to the top of Google?

I get asked this question pretty regularly, and the answer is, it’s complicated.

But let me counter with another question… What are you doing to deserve being at the top of Google?

 

Are you doing what it takes?

SEO (search engine optimization) is pretty involved. It also takes time for search engines to notice your content and start ranking you higher in the results.

But, are you creating valuable content? Is there any reason the people you want to see your website should click on your link instead of your competition’s beside the fact that you want them to?

Are you creating content?

Are you answering questions your clients might have, long before they decide to work with you? 

Are you showing your work? 

Are you the most relevant site for your industry and the site that will make people’s lives better for having visited it? 

 

Be a resource, not a menu

If your site is just a static list of services, chances are you will be beaten. Not necessarily by someone who provides better services, but by someone who talks about what they do and how they make people’s lives better.

So what are you supposed to do?

Start simple, but be consistent. 

Start by answering questions. Chances are when people call you or talk to you they ask similar questions. Start answering those questions on your website. This is a great way to show you know what you are talking about, that you solve specific problems, and show search engines that you are an active resource.

Commit to doing this every day until you run out of questions to answer. Along the way, you will have other ideas about things to write about. But if you ever run out of ideas, circle back to questions.

It makes sense right? What do people fire at you before signing on with your company? Questions!

 

Show your work

Before and after pictures are great! But don’t just through up pictures and leave it at that.

This is another opportunity for you to write about your process, your results, the challenges you overcame, and why your customer is better for having chosen you. Don’t be preachy, but be factual and provide context to the projects you complete.

It’s one thing to tell people you know what you’re doing, it’s another to prove you know what you’re doing. This helps build trust with potential customers.

Then once you’ve piqued the interest of a potential customer, they can circle back to your blog and FAQs where you’ve already invested time in answering any questions they may have.

Now that you’ve done all this work, don’t forget the next step.

 

Provide CTAs on every page

If there’s something you want people to do, make it easy for them to do it.

Whether that’s calling you, filling out a form, signing up for a class, buying a product. Whatever it is, they shouldn’t have to hunt for the next step.

 

I’ve written content, now what?

Be sure you’ve submitted your site to Google Search Console.

Your site will be discovered and indexed. Especially if you’re adding content to it consistently. But, you can help the process and see if things are improving by submitting your site to Google for indexing.

 

Where should I write this content

If you have a WordPress website, then you already have blog/post functionality built-in.

If you don’t have WordPress or don’t have a “blog” section set up on your site, you may need to create one or have your web designer do it for you.

There are other solutions. If you have a Squarespace or Wix site these have Content Management Systems as well, though they may need some additional setup.

 

If you become the best resource in your industry, show your projects and work, then not only will you most likely be at the top of “Google” but you will be difficult to unseat.