How to Rank on the First Page of Google: Step by Step Guide

Jul 10, 2024

How to Rank on the First Page of Google: Step by Step Guide

Introduction

  • Ranking on the first page of Google step-by-step.
  • Used the described formula to rank for keywords and achieve high traffic.
  • Not generic SEO advice; focus on competitive keywords.

Step 1: Find Five Keywords

  • SEO is about ranking for keywords your customers search for.
  • Tools and Strategies for Finding Keywords:
    • Google Autocomplete:
      • Type in a keyword and look for suggestions.
      • Keywords suggested are often trending and long-tail.
    • Avoid Highly Competitive Keywords:
      • E.g., Instead of "skin care routine," use "skin care routine for men" or "skin care routine for dry skin."
    • Related Searches:
      • Scroll to the bottom of Google search results for related searches.
    • Exploding Topics Tool:
      • Useful for finding low-competition keywords (Shameless plug; co-founder of this tool).

Step 2: Create Amazing Content

  • Must cover the five identified keywords.
  • Search Intent:
    • Content should satisfy the search intent behind keywords.
    • E.g., "Best organic cat food" involves comparison rather than direct sales.
    • Different search intents: information, buying, comparing products.
  • Uniqueness:
    • Bring new or better insights.
    • Example: A guide with unique strategies, case studies.
  • On-Page SEO:
    • Have your keyword in the title, first 100 words, and a few other times.
    • Focus on creating the best content possible.

Step 3: Optimize for User Experience

  • Importance for Ranking:
    • Google measures how users interact with your site.
    • Bounce rates can negatively impact rankings.
  • Tips for Optimization:
    • Front-load Value:
      • Give users valuable information early on the page.
      • Example: Investopedia’s ETF page that jumps straight into the topic.
    • Content Layout and Design:
      • Easy to read fonts, clear layout, lots of subheadings.
      • Example: Healthline.com’s user-friendly design.

Step 4: Build Backlinks

  • Significance:
    • Backlinks are crucial for SEO as they show Google's trust and authority.
  • Strategy - Be the Source:
    • Steps:
      • Find a unique statistic in your industry.
      • Create dedicated pages highlighting these stats.
      • Example: Exploding Topics page on “how much data is generated per day."
    • Target Specific Stat Keywords:
      • Low-competition, easy to rank for.
      • Example: ChatGPT users statistics page.

Key Takeaways

  1. Target low-competition, trending, long-tail keywords.
  2. Create content that satisfies search intent.
  3. Optimize for on-page SEO with simple keyword placements.
  4. Improve user experience by front-loading value and having user-friendly design.
  5. Build backlinks by being a trusted source for specific statistics in your niche.