6 Reasons Your Website Is Not Ranking on Google

Google Search

SEO          November 2020              SHARE

Search engine optimization (SEO) refers to the techniques you use to make your website rank higher in search engine result pages without using paid ads. This doesn't only increase your readership, but ialso widens brand awareness and promotes sales. 

But what if you've done everything you know necessary and you're still not on the first page? Let's take a look at some possible answers: 

1. Search engines don't have your website in their indexes yet. 

This is the case for new websites. To ensure your website is indexed, Google has web service called Google Search Console where websites can be submitted and checked for index. You also should double-check DNS settings and firewalls to allow Googlebot to find your site. 

request indexing on google

You can also speed up the way Google finds you by adding your brand to Google My Business. Update your company name, location, and number throughout the web when you move or rename your company. This includes information on your business directories and social media pages. 

Google also indexes the content of your social media accounts, so keep its content updated as well. 

2. You're not reaching your target audience.  

Who are you reaching out to? Create a picture of your ideal customer to know how you can meet their needs. Don't rely on assumptions and generational stereotypes. Use customer data to determine demographics. Find answers to these questions and then include this information in your online content 

  • What problems do your clients face daily? 
  • What types of products do they buy? 
  • What types of offers do they like? 
  • Where do they spend their time? 
  • What do they spend their spare money on? 

3. Your target keywords face too much competition.  

To know what websites you're up against for a particular keyword, type it in Google. If Wikipedia, major dailies, and big e-commerce sites show up, change your target keywords. Go for words with a lower search volume. Or you can aim for relevant long-tail keywords with three to five phrases that are relevant to your geographic area (best coffee shop in the Bay Area). 

4. Your website is slow or isn't mobile-friendly. 

To promote a positive user experience, your website should load fast on any device. Ensure that your mobile version is navigable. 80% of consumers conduct searches on handheld devices. You can use sites like Pingdom to test your website's speed. Meanwhile, you can paste your site's URL on Google's Mobile Friendly Test to check how it registers on phones and other handhelds.  

Too many ads, messy coding, large and uncompressed media files, and poor hosting can slow down your site.  

5. You have poor on-page optimization. 

  • Keywords, title tags, meta descriptions 

You need keyword strategy that will help Google index your website's content. At the same time, avoid keyword stuffing to avoid penalties from search engines. Use keywords at the start of your title tags and meta descriptions to help search engines recognize what your site and content are all about.  

Meta description example

  • Backlinks 

Your site should also get legitimate editorial backlinks from authoritative websites in your field. You can achieve this by writing guest articles. You can also publish original research and infographics. Scour the web for unlinked mentions of your business and request a link, or add links to credible sources. 

6. Your content is weak. 

You can check your content for E-A-T: 

  • Expertise: high knowledge or skill level 
  • Authoritativeness: well-researched and contains links to reputable websites 
  • Trustworthiness: accurate and legitimate sourcing of information 

Search your target keyword in Google and study the content of your top three competitors. Try to match or exceed their quality length, depth, and on-page optimization. 

Let Hello SEO Help You Raise Your Google Website Ranking 

Hello SEO can help you identify what's keeping you from performing better in search engines. Contact us today for more information about our services. 

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