Getting found on Google
How do I rank higher on Google?
Short answer
You rank higher on Google by creating a page per service that answers the search query better than the pages currently at the top, by getting the technical basics right and by being visibly trustworthy, with a complete Google Business Profile and links from relevant websites. There is no quick trick; it takes the right pages and patience.
1. Start by seeing where you stand
Connect Google Search Console. Under Performance you can see which search terms already bring impressions and at what position. Terms at positions 8 to 20 are often the quickest wins: Google already finds you relevant, just not relevant enough.
2. One page per service and per question
Google ranks pages, not websites. If one 'Services' page lists five services, it competes with specialists who have a full page per service. Give each important service its own page and its own title.
3. Write titles and headings in your customer's words
Use the term people search for in the page title and main heading (H1), in plain language. 'Loft conversion in Manchester' works better than 'Our solutions'.
4. Answer the question completely
What does it cost, how long does it take, what are the steps, what are the alternatives? Pages that also answer follow-up questions keep visitors and are easier for Google to understand.
5. Fix the technical basics
A fast, mobile-friendly site, a sitemap, no pages accidentally set to 'noindex' and no broken redirects. Search Console reports most problems itself.
6. Link internally to your key pages
Pages linked from your homepage and other pages carry more weight. Link from articles and case studies to the service page you want to be found for.
7. Build trust beyond your website
A complete Google Business Profile, reviews, listings in industry directories and links from clients, suppliers and trade media. Do not buy link packages: at best they do nothing, at worst they cause harm.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can I rank higher?
Fixing technical errors can show within weeks. New pages often need months, especially on a young domain. Nobody can guarantee a timeframe or a position.
Does advertising on Google Ads help my organic ranking?
No. Google Ads and the organic results are separate. Ads can help you test quickly which search terms produce enquiries.
Do I need to write blogs to rank higher?
Only if they answer a real customer question. Ten generic blog posts help less than one good page per service.
More questions about getting found on google
- What is SEO?SEO stands for search engine optimisation.
- Why is my website not showing up on Google?It is usually one of six causes: the site has not been indexed yet, a setting blocks Google (such as 'noindex' or robots.txt), there is no dedicated page for what you want to be found for, the content is too thin, the domain is still young, or you are searching for a term with much stronger competitors.
- Which keywords is my website found for?You can see this for free in Google Search Console, under Performance and then Search results.
- How much does SEO cost?SEO costs depend on four things: the size and technical state of your website, the competition for your search terms, how much new content is needed and whether the work is one-off or ongoing.
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