Let’s face it—being invisible on Google is basically being invisible in business. If your website isn’t showing up on page one, you’re missing out on traffic, leads, and most importantly, customers.
NOTE: Your business does NOT need to rank #1 to be successful. In fact, ranking #1 should NOT be your focus. Your website just needs to be visible – nothing more.
The good news? You don’t have to spend money on ads to rank higher.
We’ve put together a few of the most powerful strategies below to help your website move up in search results—and bring in more of the right people. These tips are just the beginning, but they’ll give your business a strong foundation for long-term visibility and success.
Step 1: Optimize Your Website for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Google is smart—but it still needs your help. If your site isn’t clearly telling search engines what you do, you won’t get found.
Here’s what to focus on:
- Use the right keywords in your page titles, headers (H1, H2), meta descriptions, image alt text, and throughout your content.
- Make your site fast. Compress images, use caching, and avoid bloated plugins or code.
- Ensure it’s mobile-friendly. Over half of all searches happen on mobile. If your site isn’t responsive, you’re losing ranking points.
✅ These are just a few must-do basics—but they go a long way. Focus especially on your homepage and key service pages.
Step 2: Set Up and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
If you serve a local area, this step is non-negotiable. Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing people see when they search for your business (especially in the map section).
Make it work for you:
- Claim and verify your listing at google.com/business.
- Fill out every section—business name, contact info, service areas, hours, photos, FAQs, and more.
- Get and respond to reviews consistently. Reviews help build trust and improve your visibility.
🎯 This is one of the most overlooked (and free) ways to rank higher—don’t skip it.
Step 3: Create Helpful, Localized Content
Google rewards websites that provide value. When you create content that helps potential customers solve problems, you build authority—and earn better rankings.
Try this:
- Write blog posts that answer common customer questions.
- Add location-specific pages for each city or area you serve.
- Post new content regularly to keep your site active and relevant.
📌 You don’t need to publish every day—just make it consistent and helpful.
Step 4: Build Local Backlinks
Backlinks—links from other websites pointing to yours—are a key trust signal for Google.
Here’s how to get more:
- Submit to local directories like Yelp, Better Business Bureau, or your city’s Chamber of Commerce.
- Collaborate with nearby businesses and exchange links or write guest posts.
- Reach out to local blogs or news outlets with a helpful story, offer, or community insight.
🔗 Even a few quality backlinks can improve your ranking—especially for local searches.
Step 5: Keep Your Website Fresh
Google doesn’t like outdated content. Make sure your website stays fresh and relevant:
- Add new service info or seasonal offers to your homepage.
- Update images and testimonials.
- Refresh blog posts regularly to keep the info current.
📆 A quarterly update is a great habit to keep your content optimized and current.
Need Help?
At 1 BIG WEB Design Marketing And Consulting, we specialize in helping businesses like yours get real results—with or without paid ads. From web design and SEO to marketing strategy and Google Business Profile optimization, we’re here to help you build trust, increase visibility, and drive conversions.
For business owners who want to learn our strategies and do it themselves, we’ve created Marketing Labworks—a series of affordable, easy-to-follow marketing eBooks designed for self-marketing. You can pick and choose which topics matter most to your business. Each eBook is packed with expert insights, step-by-step guides, and tips that actually work.
Check them out at 👉 marketinglabworks.com
And if you ever need help along the way—we’re always here for support.
