Google and Search Rankings FAQ
Updated 29 April 2022
Website performance and Google ranking is often confusing. Our FAQs below explain what you need to know about your website. We cover:
What Is Search Engine Optimisation? (SEO)
It is the process of helping your website get found online and ranked by the search engines when someone searches for a keyword related to your business. The aim is to get traffic to your website, from search engines, without paying for advertising. The higher your website appears on a search results page (known as a “SERP”), the more visitors it is likely to get and therefore the greater likelihood of generating a new lead for your business.
This process is known as ‘organic’, ‘natural’, or ‘unpaid’ search marketing (as opposed to paid search e.g. Google Adwords).
Search Engines are used every day by millions of people to look for information online. The most commonly used search engine is Google, followed by Yahoo, Bing and a few others. The most commonly used search engine in Australia is Google. For more detailed information please read our friendly SEO guide to learn more.
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This process is known as ‘organic’, ‘natural’, or ‘unpaid’ search marketing (as opposed to paid search e.g. Google Adwords).
Search Engines are used every day by millions of people to look for information online. The most commonly used search engine is Google, followed by Yahoo, Bing and a few others. The most commonly used search engine in Australia is Google. For more detailed information please read our friendly SEO guide to learn more.
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Why Can't I See My Site On Google?
It is likely that after 90 days since your website was published your website is going to show up with very different rankings for each keyword you type into Google. For example, if you provide accounting services in Sydney, and you want to rank on the first page of Google for "Sydney accountants", the chances of ranking on the first page naturally are low because this is a very competitive keyword. That means that there are many other websites that have been engaging in long term SEO efforts to boost their website ranking (likely for years) to reach the first page of Google and you will be competing with them to try to outrank them.
However, if you have a unique business name, such as "Blooglobble Accountants", it's unlikely that other websites have been trying to rank for this keyword, so you are likely to come up on the first page of Google as it's lower in competition to outrank other websites. Less common, more specific and unique keywords are likely to rank higher because they are more targeted and have less competition - these are referred to as "long-tail keywords". For example, a keyword such as "Bruce & Co Accountants" is unique, very specific and less competitive to rank for in the search engines so you can rank highly for this. Importantly though, there is no point in ranking high for a keyword that no-one searches for!
Generally speaking, your unique business name should be able to rank on the first page of Google with on-page SEO alone. There may be some circumstances when it does not but there are always ways to keep working on it to boost it and we are always here to help you with more ideas. When it comes to more competitive keywords (which generally incorporate more general, broad words), we cannot guarantee that you will rank on the first page of Google. However your site can still get found through search results for these words in numerous other ways which is why it's important to keep working on your site's reach and marketing through consistent SEO efforts to your site. You can also consider if a Google AdWords campaign may be suitable for you to get clicks for your competitive keywords.
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However, if you have a unique business name, such as "Blooglobble Accountants", it's unlikely that other websites have been trying to rank for this keyword, so you are likely to come up on the first page of Google as it's lower in competition to outrank other websites. Less common, more specific and unique keywords are likely to rank higher because they are more targeted and have less competition - these are referred to as "long-tail keywords". For example, a keyword such as "Bruce & Co Accountants" is unique, very specific and less competitive to rank for in the search engines so you can rank highly for this. Importantly though, there is no point in ranking high for a keyword that no-one searches for!
Generally speaking, your unique business name should be able to rank on the first page of Google with on-page SEO alone. There may be some circumstances when it does not but there are always ways to keep working on it to boost it and we are always here to help you with more ideas. When it comes to more competitive keywords (which generally incorporate more general, broad words), we cannot guarantee that you will rank on the first page of Google. However your site can still get found through search results for these words in numerous other ways which is why it's important to keep working on your site's reach and marketing through consistent SEO efforts to your site. You can also consider if a Google AdWords campaign may be suitable for you to get clicks for your competitive keywords.
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Why Isn't My Website #1 On Google?
As a website owner, it's important that you have good awareness of how websites work and more importantly, rank, among others in the search engines. There is a common misconception that having a website online will automatically mean that it will attract traffic and new clients simply by being online, and rank on Google simultaneously. The reality is that you are competing with millions of other websites already online and you need to find a way to make yours rank higher. If you invest your efforts correctly, you will be able to harness the advantage of thousands of daily searches that occur in Google every day! To progress your website in Google make sure you invest some time to learn more about SEO and follow our SEO tips to boost your site.
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I'm Getting Traffic To My Site, Why Don't I Get Any Phone Calls?
There can be many reasons why you may not be getting enquiries from your website. Websites need to have clear calls-to-action to ensure that a lead knows what to do next - i.e. call you, email you or how to make contact. Reminders and links need to be repeated and you should have compelling images and testimonials of your work.
Once your site is live, you have complete self-management access to edit your site. Small Business Web Designs has built your site following the best practice and standards, and from there it's up to you to take over. We do not write "all-out-in-your-face" sales copy but our sites are not completely passive either - they will have calls to action, compelling content, good quality images and on-page SEO. It's important to know that this is the start of your site and the journey does not end here - you need to keep up consistent efforts to your site to help you rank in the long term. Results will not happen over night, they are the product of many months (and years) of content addition, marketing efforts and website ageing.
Every client has different preferences for how "salesy" or "pushy" they want to appear on their site, so the best thing you can do is experiment with various changes to see the results in the enquiries. For example, you might like to try attention grabbing headlines, time-limited promotions, offering free goods or services, discount or "new customer" promotions, showcasing your portfolio or gallery, adding more testimonials to your site and many other things you can do. Please read our wonderful guide to SEO Tips you can use to boost your website ranking and optimising the layout features to encourage enquiry.
You may like to experiment with a few changes to your site to increase the conversion rate of leads to direct enquiries. You can do this through using attention-grabbing headlines, discount promotions, prominent calls to action and urgency in your copy. See more in our SEO Tips page.
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Once your site is live, you have complete self-management access to edit your site. Small Business Web Designs has built your site following the best practice and standards, and from there it's up to you to take over. We do not write "all-out-in-your-face" sales copy but our sites are not completely passive either - they will have calls to action, compelling content, good quality images and on-page SEO. It's important to know that this is the start of your site and the journey does not end here - you need to keep up consistent efforts to your site to help you rank in the long term. Results will not happen over night, they are the product of many months (and years) of content addition, marketing efforts and website ageing.
Every client has different preferences for how "salesy" or "pushy" they want to appear on their site, so the best thing you can do is experiment with various changes to see the results in the enquiries. For example, you might like to try attention grabbing headlines, time-limited promotions, offering free goods or services, discount or "new customer" promotions, showcasing your portfolio or gallery, adding more testimonials to your site and many other things you can do. Please read our wonderful guide to SEO Tips you can use to boost your website ranking and optimising the layout features to encourage enquiry.
You may like to experiment with a few changes to your site to increase the conversion rate of leads to direct enquiries. You can do this through using attention-grabbing headlines, discount promotions, prominent calls to action and urgency in your copy. See more in our SEO Tips page.
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Do You Recommend Any SEO Providers I Can Use?
At this time we do not recommend an SEO provider for long term off-page SEO. We have not had an experience with an SEO provider that has proven their works to us to be effective and shown first page results in the time they specified.
We also encourage you to Google SEO providers to see what they offer. Learning about the process in depth with our guidance will help you be informed and ask the right questions. As an SEO provider can be costly, make sure you understand what you are paying for and are able to quantify the service and the intended results.
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We also encourage you to Google SEO providers to see what they offer. Learning about the process in depth with our guidance will help you be informed and ask the right questions. As an SEO provider can be costly, make sure you understand what you are paying for and are able to quantify the service and the intended results.
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I Don't Want To Pay For An SEO Provider. What Can I Do?
Please read our awesome Tips to boost your SEO ranking which will have a direct benefit to your overall SEO if followed and auctioned. Most importantly, please remember that SEO is a product of time and effort and you cannot expect results overnight.
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