How to Improve Your Google Rankings: 9 Actionable Steps 

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has seen significant changes since Google launched in 1998. Despite these changes, the fundamentals remain constant: your website’s visibility in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) directly impacts organic traffic. Ranking at the top ensures a steady stream of visitors, while lower rankings may hinder even high-quality websites from gaining traction.

This guide provides nine actionable steps to optimise your website and improve Google rankings effectively.

Build a Solid Technical and User Experience (UX) Foundation

A well-structured website is crucial for both users and search engines. If navigation is complicated or technical issues persist, your rankings will likely suffer. Building a robust technical and UX foundation ensures smoother navigation and efficient indexing.

Key Areas to Address:

• Navigation: Ensure users can reach any page within three clicks.
• Site Security: Use HTTPS to secure data and build trust.
• Loading Speed: Compress images, reduce JavaScript bloat, and use caching to enhance performance.
• Error Resolution: Regularly check Google Search Console for crawl errors, broken links, and indexing issues.

Actionable Step:
Audit your website using Google Search Console. Address three key issues—such as broken links or slow-loading pages—this week. Reassess your crawl stats in two weeks to confirm improvements.

Focus on E-E-A-T Content

Google values content that demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). High-quality content tailored to user intent often ranks higher in SERPs.

Content Tips:

• Engaging Titles: Use concise, compelling titles that highlight the benefits.
• Meta Descriptions: Write unique, keyword-rich descriptions that entice clicks.
• Expert Sources: Incorporate data, case studies, or industry quotes to boost credibility.

Actionable Step:
Identify three underperforming pages. Update each with fresh statistics or expert insights and add FAQs to address user queries. Monitor metrics like Click-Through Rate (CTR) over four weeks to evaluate improvement.

Optimise On-Page Elements

On-page optimisation focuses on creating engaging, search-friendly content and structures. It improves both user experience and SERP visibility.

Key Tactics:

1. Titles & Meta Descriptions: Write unique titles under 60 characters and meta descriptions that align with user intent.
2. Internal Linking: Connect related pages using descriptive anchor text to improve navigation and crawlability.
3. Content Organisation: Use clear headings, bullet points, and visuals for readability.

Actionable Step:
Rewrite meta descriptions for three underperforming pages. Add internal links to each page from high-traffic content and monitor engagement metrics like CTR and bounce rate.

Implement Schema Markup

Schema markup enhances search visibility by providing structured data for rich results, such as star ratings or pricing details. Rich results attract more attention and clicks.

How to Implement Schema:

• Identify suitable schema types (e.g., FAQ, Product, Article).
• Use tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper to create schema code.
• Validate using Google’s Rich Results Test.

Actionable Step:
Apply schema markup to a key service or product page. Validate it for errors and monitor CTR improvements over the next two weeks. If successful, expand schema implementation to more pages.

Optimise for Mobile-First Indexing

With Google prioritising mobile-first indexing, ensuring your site is mobile-friendly is essential. A poor mobile experience can result in lower rankings and higher bounce rates.

Mobile Optimisation Strategies:

• Responsive Design: Ensure seamless viewing across devices.
• Fast Loading Speed: Use compressed images and a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
• User-Friendly Navigation: Simplify menus for smaller screens.
• Clickable Elements: Space out buttons for easy touch navigation.

Actionable Step:
Review your site using Google’s Mobile Usability Report. Fix three key issues, such as text size or button spacing. Monitor mobile engagement metrics over four weeks to track improvements.

Build High-Quality Backlinks

Backlinks from authoritative sites remain a cornerstone of SEO. They signal trustworthiness and relevance to Google, improving your rankings. Focus on earning high-quality, rather than numerous, backlinks.

Effective Strategies:

• Guest Blogging: Contribute valuable content to reputable industry sites.
• Broken Link Building: Replace broken links on high-authority sites with your content.
• Digital PR: Generate buzz to earn natural backlinks.

Actionable Step:
Target three high-authority sites for backlink opportunities. Develop a personalised outreach plan and track backlinks gained over three months.

Maintain Content Freshness

Regularly updating your content ensures ongoing relevance and authority. Outdated information can harm your credibility and lead to lower rankings.

Tips for Content Updates:

• Replace outdated statistics with recent data.
• Add insights from emerging trends or industry developments.
• Enhance pages with multimedia elements like videos or infographics.

Actionable Step:
Refresh two high-performing pages by adding updated data or visuals. Monitor changes in engagement metrics like bounce rates and time on page.

Leverage Local SEO for Business Growth

If you operate locally, optimising for local SEO is critical. It ensures visibility in location-based searches, driving foot traffic and sales.

Key Local SEO Strategies:

• Google Business Profile (GBP): Keep details like address, hours, and photos updated.
• Local Keywords: Incorporate phrases like “best [service] in [city]” into your content.
• Customer Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.

Actionable Step:
Review your GBP profile and add three new photos or location-specific keywords to your site. Monitor changes in local search impressions over two weeks.

Optimise for International Audiences

International SEO enables you to target diverse audiences across languages and regions, expanding your reach.

Key Strategies:

• Hreflang Tags: Indicate the language and region for each page.
• Localised Content: Translate and culturally adapt content for target regions.
• Regional Keywords: Identify and incorporate location-specific search terms.

Actionable Step:
Implement hreflang tags for a high-traffic page and translate it into a target language. Track international traffic growth over three months using Google Analytics.

Fundamentals Drive Success

SEO may seem complex, but focusing on the basics can yield significant improvements. Begin by implementing one or two strategies, such as updating content or refining on-page elements, and monitor progress using tools like Google Analytics.

By consistently delivering valuable content, optimising technical elements, and catering to mobile and local audiences, you position your site for long-term success. Incremental improvements over time will enhance rankings, increase traffic, and ultimately drive engagement.