17 Proven Strategies to Make Your Website Rank Higher in 2023 (+ A Bonus Strategy)

We all understand the significance of securing a top spot in Google’s search results. Higher rankings lead to more clicks and conversions—it’s that simple.

If you’re eager to get a top Google ranking? Well, we’ve got a simple mantra for you – “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” To put it another way, if you want your website to shine on Google’s grand stage, it’s time to give Google what it wants.

Everyone wants to figure out the secret to how to rank higher in Google in no time. After all, Google (and other search engines) are responsible for the traffic that comes to our websites.

Like a discerning food critic, Google seeks deserving websites for the first page. Many wonder how to rank with Google and secure high rankings in search engine result pages (SERPs).

If you’re serious about digital marketing, having an SEO strategy is non-negotiable. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is like a marathon that never ends. It requires your constant attention and updates, even if you think your website is already super optimized. 

However, everyone has their own unique way of executing it. To crack the code for how you can rank higher on Google, we’ve compiled a list of the top 17 SEO strategies. Some of these you may already be doing, while others may be new to you.  

So, without further ado, let us begin.

Mastering Keyword Strategies 2023

Strategy 1: Target the Right Keywords

In the dynamic and highly competitive digital world, understanding the intricacies of “how to rank higher in Google” is critical. If you are genuinely committed to gaining visibility for your website, it is imperative to dedicate yourself to meticulous and exceptional keyword research.

Keywords serve as a powerful tool for improving search engine rankings. To ensure your website captures attention, it is essential to incorporate relevant keywords—terms that individuals commonly employ when searching for content on the internet.

For example, let’s say you have an online store selling silver jewelry. To figure out the ideal keywords to target, consider terms such as “925 sterling silver” or “sterling silver engagement rings,” which improve the likelihood that your page will be seen by people searching for such topics on Google.

Ranking high on Google is not intimidating. If your page ranks high in Google for relevant keywords, you will receive a large number of people who are interested in what you have to say. 

Here are some pointers to help you target the proper keywords:

• Consider your customers as your target audience.

• Research the competitors and discover what keywords they are focusing on.

• Collect keyword volume and trend data using keyword research tools.

• Use keywords that are specific but not too specific.

• Use several keywords or keyword phrases related to the same issue.

To conduct proper keyword research, you can utilize top SEO tools like Google’s keyword planner, Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz, and more. These tools assist you in locating data and identifying opportunities for successful SEO campaigns.

Strategy 2: Focus on Low Difficulty Keywords

“How can you tell if a keyword is hard to rank for?”

Well, the secret is that if you choose keywords that are excessively competitive, you may have difficulty ranking even in Google’s top 20.

When you stumble upon keywords with less competition, you’ve hit the jackpot. Your chances of snagging a spot in the coveted top 3 skyrockets!

To rank well for competitive terms, you must first gain Google’s confidence and authority. That is why keywords with little competition are so lucrative.

Rank for low-hanging fruit with high-quality content to increase traffic, backlinks, and domain authority. Low-competition keywords rank higher faster than high-competition terms. Although difficult, the heavenly rewards make it worthwhile.

Strategy 3: Use Long Tail Keywords 

With increasing competition, where every marketer tries to target the most competitive core keywords, using innovative ways to keep an advantageous position becomes critical.

So, what’s the answer? Long-tail keywords. 

Long-tail keywords can be game changers for those who want to know how to rank first page on Google. If you are one of those marketers, harnessing the power of focused long-tail keywords can provide you with a competitive advantage, allowing you to climb the search engine results page (SERP) and easily connect with your target audience.

Long-tail keywords for a travel website, for example: 

“Best places to travel in winter” 

“Budget-friendly family vacations in Europe” 

You’ve now understood what a long tail keyword is and how it can assist you in attracting traffic to your website. So, in the dynamic world of keyword strategies, focus on those long-tail keywords, and get ready to soar higher in Google’s rankings.

Strategy 4: Optimize Keywords in Titles, Subheadings, and Content

As search engines continue to evolve, keyword optimization is crucial for businesses and content creators to meet the evolving demands of discerning online users. 

Therefore, incorporating keywords into your website’s title, subheadings, and content can eventually assist search engines in grasping the topic of your page and make your material more visible to users.

For example, if you have an article titled “How to Choose the Perfect Silver Necklace” and include the keyword term “silver necklace pendants,” you can strategically optimize your content. Subheadings inside the article can include “Types of Silver Necklace Pendants” and “Tips for Styling Silver Necklace Pendants.”

The true power of SEO lies in understanding what people are searching for, enabling you to provide the precise answer they seek at the very moment they search for it.

However, it is vital to strike a balance between keyword optimization, relevance, and clarity. Excessive optimization can lead to penalties imposed by search engines.

On Page Best SEO Techniques 2023

Strategy 5: Write Compelling Titles and Meta Descriptions

Page titles and meta descriptions work together like a dynamic team of meta tags. They have a huge potential to boost your website’s ranking in search engine results. Knowing the content of each page on your website is like having a secret weapon. Using effective titles may enhance your CTR in this way.

Titles with a positive state strengthen CTR by around 4%, according to Backlinko data.  

For example, when writing a guest post for backlinks and to improve SEO, use a title like “The Ultimate Guide to Effective Guest Blogging in 2023” and a meta description like “Leverage guest posting for top-notch backlinks and higher search engine rankings in 2023.”

So, have you ever wondered how to rank with Google’s first page by creating catchy titles and meta descriptions? 

The issue is while title tags and meta descriptions may not directly affect your site’s ranking in search engines, they do play an important part in engaging users and encouraging them to click on your page.

As mentioned earlier, your title is super important because it’s the first thing people see. It has to be amazing and grab their attention. Don’t underestimate the power of a good title. It’s what separates a search result from an actual visitor.

Read More: On-Page SEO Activity – A Comprehensive Guide is Here

Strategy 6: Optimize for Featured Snippets

Have you ever seen a featured snippet? It’s that unique material that appears at the very top of Google’s search results. It is a straight response to your search query, pulled from one of the highest-ranking web pages and displayed as a paragraph, list, table, or even a video.

In two ways, featured snippets can have a significant impact on SEO.

First of all, these pretty snippets can gain you extra hits from conventional search results, even if your website isn’t at the top of Google’s ranks. Some SEO experts refer to them as “Position #0” because they appear before the regular #1 result.

Second, these snippets lead to the rise of “no-click searches.” This ensures that users may find the information they need directly from the snippet without having to click on any further search results.

So, when you’re curious about how to rank higher in Google? Well, here’s the secret lies in crafting captivating and informative content that addresses people’s queries. So, focus on providing entertaining material that provides relevant solutions, and you’ll see your results skyrocket!

Strategy 7: Optimize Your Internal Links

If you’re wondering, “How to rank higher in Google, huh?” Well, I’ve got a little secret to share with you that can be of great aid – internal links!

Yes, you heard it right! Internal links are the not-so-secret sauce for improving your Google rating.

Internal linking refers to incorporating links to similar posts and pages within the content you’re creating. This indicates you’re supplying much-needed SEO juice and domain authority (DA) to the associated pages.

Did you know that internal links help Google discover, index, and analyze all of the pages on your website? They act as miniature routes for Google’s search bots to navigate across your site.

But the interesting part lies in strategically using internal links, and you may improve the importance of your important pages by sending them some PageRank.

So, if you want to rank higher in Google (and who doesn’t?), internal linking is a must-have for your website. It’s like endowing your website with SEO superpowers!

Strategy 8: Implement E-A-T Best Practices

Do you want to know how to rank on the top page of Google? Let me tell you, when it comes to ranking websites, Google places high importance on quality. 

But here’s the thing “What exactly do you need to do to meet Google’s standards?” This is where EAT comes into play!

Regardless of Google’s ever-changing algorithm, the EAT principle can help you master long-term SEO success. Doesn’t that sound amazing? But exactly what is EAT?

EAT stands for expertise, authority, and dependability. It is simply a barometer of your company’s online reputation. Google favors well-established, brand-authentic, and trustworthy sites above new ones.

Since this model comprises three components: expertise, authority, and trustworthiness:

Expertise is the quantity of knowledge that a website possesses about a specific issue is referred to as expertise.

Authoritativeness of a website refers to how authoritative it appears to visitors.

Trustworthiness is all about how much people trust a website when they visit it.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and put these E-A-T best practices into action. It’s time to boost your online presence and establish yourself as the go-to source in your industry. 

Off Page SEO Tips 2023

Strategy 9: Guest post on third-party websites

Guest posting is all the rage in the world of SEO. It’s a clever tactic that savvy authors use to boost their website’s performance and improve their SEO rankings by incorporating links back to their own content.

It’s fascinating to note that a majority, precisely 60%, of wordsmiths take the initiative to contribute 1-5 guest posts each month. 

If your guest post is good enough, it will make you popular among the blog’s readers. Not only that, but you will also be able to communicate with them through blog comments. 

So, what are the essential elements to remember when employing this effective off-page SEO technique?

• Post a blog on high-authority websites.

• Locate a website with a comparable specialty to yours.

• Keep your content’s quality high.

Read More: A Comprehensive Guide to Off-Page Activity in SEO

Strategy 10: Diversify Your Backlink Profile

Enhancing your Google rating requires a strategic approach to diversify your backlink profile. Attempting to achieve high-ranking in-web searches without a well-structured and diverse range of backlinks is akin to sprinting without a backbone. It’s not only terrifying to think about, but it’s also nearly hard to pull off.

Imagine a scenario where all your backlinks come from a single source. While it may seem convenient at first glance, it rings alarm bells for Google. Like a discerning critic, it questions the authenticity and quality of such a unidimensional link portfolio. But fret not!

By diversifying your backlink profile, you unleash a trustworthiness symphony, communicating to Google that your website is well-connected, reputable, and deserving of a higher position. If you require assistance with any other aspect, consider hiring an organic SEO services expert to help you.

Technical SEO Best Practice 2023

Strategy 11: Ensure That You Have User-Friendly URLs

You know how search engines crawl and index websites, right? Well, one important factor they consider is the structure of a website’s URL. They basically read the URL from left to right and treat each part of it as separate information.

For instance, 

Non-user-friendly URL:

https://www.examplewebsite.com/page123?id=987654

User-friendly URL:

https://www.examplewebsite.com/product/best-widgets

In this example, the non-user-friendly URL with parameters and an ID provides no valuable information. In contrast, a user-friendly URL includes a descriptive structure with terms like “product” and “best-widgets,” giving users a clear idea of what to expect on the page.

Many individuals often overlook the SEO value of URL structure. The truth is that, when used appropriately, URLs can bring various benefits to your website, ranging from more traffic to higher rankings.

Strategy 12: Improve Your Site’s Load Speed

As technology has advanced, users have become more and more impatient. It’s like they want everything instantly! 

Imagine you’re the proud owner of a website. Now, put yourself in the shoes of one of your visitors, eagerly waiting for your page to load. 

Frustrating, right? Well, guess what? 

Google suggests that webpages should load within a timeframe of less than 2 seconds.  

Having a fast-loading website is crucial for the success of your company and the conversion rates of your website. Nobody likes to wait around for a slow-loading page, and studies have shown that slow websites have high bounce rates, meaning visitors quickly leave without engaging further.

So, every time the question “How to rank with Google?” arises, remember this. You are already aware of the answer!

With this in mind, fast loading times are vital not only for boosting conversions from users who arrive on your site but also for bringing them there in the first place.

Thankfully Google has your back! They provide an excellent tool called PageSpeed Insights. This tool assesses your website’s performance and provides helpful insights about what you can do to enhance page speed. It’s like having a personal assistant directing you to a speedier and more user-friendly website.

Strategy 13: Schema Markup

Schema markup is the secret language making search engines go, “Aha!” The unsung hero of technical SEO.

Think of it as the magic decoder ring that enables search engines to understand a wide variety of data types, ensuring they deliver the most relevant results to savvy consumers like you. (And let me tell you, it’s not just about recognizing data. Schema markup gets up close and personal, diving into the juicy intent and context behind each page and its content.)

Its true schema markup won’t directly boost your Google ranking. But it does wonders for your click-through rates (CTRs). And we all know that higher CTRs mean more potential customers turning into actual customers.

By adding schema markup, you’re basically rolling out the red carpet for search engine crawlers. You’re saying, “Hey, dear crawler, come on in and have a good look around! Understand my page, get to know it intimately, and rank it accordingly on the coveted SERP.” It’s like giving your website a VIP pass to the world of search engine domination.

Needless to say, schema markup is the secret weapon to make your website slay the SEO game and leave your competitors green with envy.

Strategy 14: Site Security / SSL Certificate (HTTPS)

If you want your website to not only survive but thrive in today’s digital landscape, having an encrypted website is crucial. Trust me, and it’s like having a secret vault that keeps all your precious information locked away from prying eyes.

When visitors come to your website through an “https://” address, the SSL certificate ensures that any information they share will remain secure and won’t be leaked to anyone. This encrypted connection provides protection for sensitive data.

Now, you might be wondering if HTTPS has any impact on your website’s ranking. Well, according to Google, HTTPS is indeed a ranking factor. In other words, having an HTTPS website can actually make a difference in the ranking positions of two similarly matched websites.

Google made an announcement in August 2014, stating that HTTPS would be considered a ranking signal.

What’s more, over 50% of webmasters have already made the switch to HTTPS, and many others are planning to do so in the near future. If you want your website to rank higher (and who doesn’t?), using HTTPS is one important step you can take to achieve better rankings.

So, stay caught up in the digital dust. Encrypt your website and watch as your rankings soar.

Content SEO Strategies 2023

Strategy 15: Optimize Your Content For Voice Searches

Ah, the era of voice search is on the rise, and it’s time to bid farewell to the good old days of boring typing. If you still need to hop on the bandwagon of optimizing your website for voice searches, consider this your wake-up call.

Why? 

Oh, because voice search is the hippest thing since sliced bread. A whopping 71% of consumers prefer to ask their queries using their voice rather than bothering with the keyboard.  

Imagine instead of typing “restaurants near me” into a search bar, users confidently ask, “What are some good restaurants near me?” See the difference? Voice search demands more elaborate long-tail keywords to deliver the absolute best results for a user’s command.

And guess what? That’s exactly how voice search is flipping the SEO game on its head. Many giants’ tech like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have already optimized for voice search, optimizing their platforms to stay ahead of the game.  

Thus, the art of voice search SEO and its potential for monetization can no longer be ignored if one seeks how to rank first page on Google!

It’s time to put those vocal cords to work and give your content a touch of voice search magic! If you want to know how to rank with Google, you’ve got to specialize in voice search SEO strategy correctly.   

Strategy 16: Audit Existing Pages For Refreshes

In the fast-paced world of digital content, staying ahead of the game is crucial. Don’t let your pages become relics of the past—employ the art of regular content audits to keep them fresh and captivating.

And if you want to be on the first page of Google, you need to impress the search engine giant with your savvy strategies. 

So, when you ask yourself, “How to rank first page on Google?” 

The answer lies in refreshing your existing content through regular audits—a practice that not only ensures your content stays up-to-date but also entices Google to take notice.

Let’s face it; nobody enjoys feasting their eyes on stale and outdated content. It’s like trying to serve a seven-course meal from last year’s leftovers—simply unappetizing.

Now, how do you know a piece of content needs to be refreshed? There are a few signs to look out for:

• Declining traffic or engagement metrics

• Outdated information or references

• Changes in industry trends or best practices

• Updated data or statistics available

• Competitor’s content surpasses yours

As you know that Google loves fresh content, and it becomes more relevant to the end user. Google itself has confirmed that they consider freshness as a ranking factor, affecting about 35% of searches. 

Now, let’s talk about how you can actually go about refreshing your content or even giving a boost to your older content.

Refreshing isn’t about old content; it’s about adding new value, but exactly what advantages might you see from refreshing your content regularly?

• Improved search engine rankings

• Increased organic traffic

• Enhanced user experience

• Increased social media visibility

• Building authority and credibility

Strategy 17: Optimize Old Content for User Intent

User intent is not a new content marketing strategy. It’s no longer enough to stuff some keywords into a blog post and expect it to appear in the top ten of a search result. It all comes down to what the user is looking for.

Wondering how to rank higher in Google by optimizing your blog posts that align to match user intent? So, let’s dive into some strategies:

• Consider how people search.

• Use All Search Engines and Online Platforms.

• Distinguish Intent from Queries and Usage.

• Connect Queries and Answers.

• Improve Your Content.

By optimizing for user intent, you direct content toward specific search criteria. This also implies that those who find your content through search engines are already interested in the subject before visiting your site.

Bonus Tip- Google Algorithm

Imagine you wake up one day and discover that your website is ranking on the first page one day and the next day finding your website on page second. Is there anything more discouraging? 

It can be incredibly frustrating and even give you a headache, especially since Google never really spills the beans on its primary ranking factors. It’s like a well-kept secret! 

“What if you have been told that there’s a cheat sheet?”

That’s right, and you can outsmart Google’s algorithm. It’s not the first time Google has announced updates to the algorithm that takes into account such as user experience, inbound links, 10x content, optimization for mobile, and more.

However, among all these factors, user experience is the secret sauce. So, the key is to continue optimizing your website for the audience you want to target, and you will be rewarded.

Let’s take a moment to think about it from Google’s perspective. If a website is loved by users and found helpful, Google naturally wants to ensure that it ranks high in the search results. That’s where the magic happens! 

Thanks to the dedicated team of experts at a Digital Marketing Agency who analyze these changes, your website can thrive amidst Google’s algorithm updates.

Final Thought,

So, there you have it, a guide on the most effective SEO strategies helps to increase your chances of ranking higher on Google in 2023. But remember that SEO requires patience and consistency for long-term success. If you require any assistance or guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to Indylogix Solutions.

FAQs:

How to rank first page on Google in 2023?

Follow these top steps to rank on Google’s first page in 2023:

• Target the Right Keywords

• Write Compelling Titles and Meta Descriptions

• Optimize Your Internal Links

• Improve Your Site’s Load Speed

And so on to rank your website on the first page of Google.

How do you rank keywords in 2023?

To rank keywords in 2023:

• Perform thorough keyword research
• Optimize your website for target keywords
• Create high-quality, relevant content
• Build high-authority backlinks
• Use on-page SEO techniques
• These steps can help improve keyword rankings in search engine results

Can I pay for a higher Google ranking?

The honest answer is no. Google Search ads don’t impact organic search rankings. Factors like website health, backlinks, and location influence Google’s search rankings.