Ultimate Guide to Rank Higher on Google: Proven Strategies

Why do you post content on your website? Why do you write blogs on your company’s page? Is this because someone forced you? Or because you want more traffic and organic visitors/ customers for your business? Ofcourse, due to the latter reason. But only posting regular content won’t help you. Inorder to get more people on your site, you need to rank higher. Achieving a higher rank on Google organically is neither too easy nor too hard. If done strategically, it can drive consistent traffic without requiring a single penny. To know how it’s done- have a look at this ultimate guide to rank higher on google search engine results pages. (SERP)

1. Understand search intent and optimize keywords

Google cares the most about its users, its audience. The primary goal is to serve users with the most relevant results. To align with this, you must understand the different types of search intent:

• Informational: Users looking for answers (e.g., “What is SEO?”).
• Navigational: Users searching for a specific site (e.g., “Raindrops Infotech website”).
• Transactional: Users ready to act (e.g., “Buy SEO tools”).

How to identify the right keywords?

• Brainstorm a list of questions or problems your target audience might have.
• Use free tools like Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, or Moz to identify related queries.
• Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g., “how to rank higher on Google for free”) as they’re easier to rank for and target a more specific audience.
• Look at the People Also Ask section in Google search results for content ideas and additional keyword suggestions.

2. Write high-quality and relevant content

You must have heard about it a lot of times- Content is king, but only if it provides real value. Just because you need to achieve a target of 1500+ words, you don’t have to write anything. Always remember, Quality > Quantity. Google prioritizes pages that answer user queries comprehensively. Here’s how to ace it:

What are the content strategies that work?

• Go Deep: Write long-form content (2000+ words) that covers a topic in detail. Include FAQs, examples, case studies, and actionable tips.
• Be Original: Avoid just rephrasing common content. Bring a fresh perspective, supported by research and real-world data.
• Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g., “how to rank higher on Google for free”) as they’re easier to rank for and target a more specific audience.
• Content Types to Include:
  • How-to guides (e.g., “How to optimize on-page SEO”)
  • Comparison posts (e.g., “SEO vs. PPC: Which is better for organic growth?”)
  • Case studies with measurable results
  • Tutorials with step-by-step screenshots or videos

Some extra tips to look out:

• Use Google’s E- E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) to position yourself as a credible source.
• Add internal links to guide readers to related posts or resources on your website.
• Include visuals (infographics, charts) to simplify complex information and break text monotony.

3. On-Page SEO Optimization

On-page SEO ensures that your website is structured for search engines to crawl and understand your content easily. Here are the key areas to focus on:

• Title Tags:

  • Make them compelling and include primary keywords.
  • Keep them under 60 characters for optimal display in search results.
  • Example: “How to Rank Higher on Google: 10 Free SEO Tips.”

• Meta Descriptions:

  • Write concise, descriptive meta descriptions under 160 characters.
  • Use action words like “Learn,” “Discover,” or “Find out.”
  • Example: “Discover actionable tips to improve Google rankings without spending money. A complete guide to SEO success.”

• Header Tags (H1, H2, H3):

  • Use these to create a clear hierarchy in your content.
  • Insert keywords naturally into subheadings.

• URL Optimization:

  • Create short, keyword-rich URLs (e.g., raindropsinfotech.com/rank-higher-google).

• Image SEO:

  • Compress images for faster load times.
  • Use descriptive filenames and alt tags (e.g., “google-ranking-seo-tips.jpg”).

4. Technical SEO: Get the Basics Right

Even the best content can fail without a solid technical foundation. Ensure your website:

Website Speed:

• Fast websites make both users and search engines happy!
• Aim for your site to load in under 3 seconds.
• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix speed issues.
• Compress files, enable browser caching, and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for better performance.

Mobile-Friendliness:

• With 7.21 billion (whooping 90% of 8 billion global population!) people owning smartphones, most web traffic comes from there.You have to make sure and prioritise your website being mobile responsive.
• Aim for your site to load in under 3 seconds.
• Test it using Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure smooth navigation on all devices.
• Design pages with thumb-friendly buttons and readable text sizes.

Secure Your Site with HTTPS:

• HTTPS isn’t just for online stores, it’s a trust factor for all websites.
• Install an SSL certificate to secure data and improve search rankings.
• Look for the padlock icon in the browser to confirm your site is secure.

Structured Data (Schema Markup):

• Help search engines understand your content better.
• Use schema markup to highlight important details like product reviews, recipes, or events.
• Example: Adding star ratings for a product in search results.

Fix Broken Links and Errors:

• Broken links frustrate users and lower your site’s SEO value.
• Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to find and fix 404 errors.
• Create a custom 404 page with helpful navigation to keep users engaged.

XML Sitemap:

• Think of it as a map for search engines to find all your website’s pages.
• Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console for better crawling.

5. Enhance User Engagement

Google keeps checking the numbers. It monitors user engagement metrics like time on page, click-through rate (CTR), and bounce rate to rank your site. Improve these metrics with the following:

What are the techniques to boost engagement?

• Catchy Headlines: Your title should be such that users would not be able to stop themselves from clicking on the title. Use numbers, power words, and questions (e.g., “7 Proven Tips to Boost Google Rankings”).
• Interactive Elements: Add quizzes, polls, or interactive calculators related to your niche.
• Storytelling: Use relatable content and phrases to connect emotionally with your readers.

6. Build High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks from reputable websites signal to Google that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. Here’s how to build them organically:

Free Backlinking Methods:

• Guest Blogging: Offer to write for reputable sites in your niche in exchange for a link back to your website.
• Resource Pages: Find resource or “best of” pages in your niche and pitch your content as a valuable addition.
• Use Tools: Platforms like Ahrefs Backlink Checker or Moz Link Explorer can help identify backlink opportunities.

7. Regularly Audit and Update Your Content

Last but not the least, let’s talk facts. Something that was trending months back won’t work today. Old content can lose its relevance over time. Google favors fresh, up-to-date information.

Steps for a Content Audit:

1. Identify underperforming pages using Google Analytics or Search Console.
2. Update old posts with new data, examples, and links.
3. Consolidate overlapping content into a single, comprehensive post.

How can Raindrops Infotech help your website rank higher?

To make your website’s journey smooth and perfect, you would definitely need a partner- someone who knows about the market and search engine in detail. And, who better than Raindrops Infotech can take that place!

At Raindrops Infotech, we recently expanded our expertise to include digital marketing services alongside web development. With proven strategies in this niche, we’re here to help businesses get traffic and achieve their goals effectively.

We excel in designing SEO-optimized websites with fast performance, smooth navigation, and mobile responsiveness. Our expertise ensures your site ranks higher and attracts quality traffic organically.

Let us transform your online presence and turn your website into the stuff of your dreams. Schedule a free consultation today!