Want to get your website on Google’s good side? Understanding what Google likes and what it doesn’t can help boost your site’s search engine visibility and ranking. Here’s a straightforward guide to keeping Google happy and making sure your site shines in search results.
what google likes
relevant content
Google's top priority is delivering useful, relevant information to users. Focus on offering valuable content that answers common questions and meets the needs of your visitors. For a local restaurant or pet grooming service, include accurate hours of operation, service descriptions, an about page, and tips on selecting produce or trimming your pup's nails. This will provide Google with information to regard your site as an authority on the services you offer.
great user experience
Hick's Law is often referenced in the UX design process, stating that the time it takes for users to make a decision increases with the number of choices they're presented. Translation: Less options, easier decisions. Search engines appreciate a clean design, intuitive menus, and a straightforward sitemap that makes it simple for visitors to find what they're looking for.
mobile-friendliness
With most people opening websites on their phones or tablets nowadays, mobile-friendly design is essential. Choose a developer that knows how to make your site look great on all screen sizes. Check out our blog post titled 5 Important Questions To Ask Your Web Designer for some quick tips to help you navigate the process.
fast loading times
Site speed is a common issue found in poorly designed/structured websites. The faster your site loads, the better Google likes it. Make sure your SEO strategy includes compressed images, clean code, and deletion of any unnecessary elements that might slow it down.
High-quality backlinks
Links from reputable sites boost your credibility. If other trusted websites link to yours, it signals to Google that your content is valuable. One of the hard truths about even the greatest SEO campaign is that it takes time to see results, but with a little hustle and a lot of patience, it can increase your search engine rankings by up to 45%.
clear titles and descriptive links
Each page on your site should have a unique title and meta description. This helps Google understand what each page is about and show it to the right audience. Similarly, links that simply say "Learn More" or "Go" are unclear and Google won't recognize them as unique.
google faux pas
duplicate content
Copying and pasting the same content across multiple pages can hurt your ranking. Ensure each page has unique, valuable content.
cluttered design
Overloading a page with pop-ups, ads, or complex navigation frustrates users, which results in them leaving your page far too soon. Google notices this and ranks your site accordingly.
broken links
Links that lead to error pages or don't work properly can be a major letdown. Checking for broken links is an essential component of a good SEO strategy, especially in cases of migrating an existing site to a new one.
hidden text and keyword stuffing
Google won't be fooled by hidden text or overstuffed pages with irrelevant keywords. This is a rookie SEO move that will tank your website's ranking, and frankly, keyword stuffing just reeks of desperation; you can smell it a mile away. Focus on genuine, high-quality content that provides real value to your users, with carefully dispersed keywords that appeal to both the buyers and the bots in an organic way.
At APC, we pride ourselves not only on our gorgeous custom designs, but on our rock-solid foundation of web development and SEO principles to set you up for success.
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