We would all love to sit at the top spot in the first page of Google, but it’s not that simple. Most SEO companies will claim they will propel you to the top, but would it generate any real value to your business? Here we explore the realities of achieving the number one golden spot and the questionable promises made by many SEO freelancers.
The Myth Behind Ranking on Page One in Google
Around eight out of 10 SEO companies guarantee results on Google. It’s an appealing proposition for many businesses – after all, the first page of Google is good for business.
However, the remaining SEO companies that don’t offer such promises will probably get better results. That’s because some companies still insist they can guarantee your rankings when in reality, they really can’t.
It’s all about keywords
You may indeed rank on the first page of Google for a specific keyword, but it’s not enough.
Some keywords simply don’t get enough searches for it to be worth your while being on the first page. Some don’t even get searched at all. It doesn’t help if you are on the first page of Google for a keyword that no one searches for; that won’t bring you any visitors.
A common tactic used by some SEO companies is to choose a small number of keywords with a low search volume and then get your website to rank for those. And it’s fairly easy for them to do this. Unsurprisingly, these low volume queries have low competition. Nonetheless, bad SEO companies are able to say to you that they have put your website on page one, even though you won’t being seeing any actual benefit to your site.
Be vigilant. You need to know the search volumes of the keywords they are ranking you for, to know if it will help your business at all.
So what exactly is a ‘good’ search volume? It depends on the industry you are in.
Some industries are simply more competitive than others, and there will be more searches for specific keywords or phrases. It all comes down to demand – what users want when they search. The higher your budget, the more keywords you can target, but the SEO service you get should nevertheless be relevant and have a decent search volume.
Why you can’t guarantee page one Google Rankings
Rankings are unstable. Google regularly implements changes and updates their search algorithms, so it’s impossible to guarantee a spot in the first place for a specific period of time. That’s something that your SEO probably won’t tell you.
What’s more, local results skew Google rankings. If you search for SEO company’ where you are locally, and you travel just a few hours to a different location and search again, you’ll find different results. That’s because Google constantly works to customise search results according to your geographic location. You want the best search experience, and that is why local optimisation is so important.
It’s no wonder that more SEO agencies are starting to steer away from this promise. It simply isn’t good business anymore. Search engines are becoming increasingly complicated to dominate and although you may have a great strategy to get good results on a regular basis, guaranteeing them is just impossible.
Google has warned against SEO companies promising #1 rankings
SEOs should know that Google has some pretty straightforward marketing guidelines when it comes to optimising a website. Marketers tend to bend the rules a little to benefit their clients and their profits, but the fact remains the same:
No one can guarantee a #1 ranking on Google.
Anyone who does, should not be taken seriously. Luckily, any reputable SEO firm won’t use this as a marketing tactic; they will tell you straight up that it’s an ongoing process and although you are likely to get on the first page with their efforts, they cannot always guarantee it.
Google expressly warns against companies that claim they can guarantee rankings or that they have a special relationship with Google. This simply isn’t true and won’t help your rankings at all.
SEO services aren’t cheap – at least the good ones aren’t – but if you consider the work, research, data collection, and implementation that goes into a solid SEO plan, it will make good sense.
Working with a reputable SEO agency or SEO consultant
The key to a successful SEO campaign and getting the best search results within Google is working with a reputable agency. An SEO team that has proven results, and has clients to prove it. Take a look at our guide on how to hire an SEO consultant to make sure that you don’t get a raw deal.
Successful SEO is not a one-off effort. It’s an ongoing strategy that should be continuously improved, tweaked and executed.
A successful SEO strategy also consists of multiple components. The most important of which is optimising your website for a specific list of keywords. This is why content is so important; good quality content will lay the foundation for your rankings within Google.
The next aspect to consider is beating your competitors. This can be done in many ways, and your SEO will explain this in more detail. You can also consider running paid advertising campaigns, among others. It all depends on your budget and your industry. But with the right tools you have all the possibility of ranking well within Google – even on the first page.
What do you think? Which of these techniques will you start using today to sell more products on Instagram? What tips can you offer that have worked for your business? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Source: The Content Works