ARGHHH! Google hates my website!
Having a website for your business is just the beginning of building an online presence.
However, if your site is not being found by anyone, it’s as good as invisible. Google reigns supreme in online search, and if your website doesn’t appear in their search rankings, you’re missing out on valuable exposure. But fear not, there are practical steps you can take to gain some Google “love”:
Use Keywords Wisely
Keywords have long been a crucial part of Google’s search algorithm. In the past, stuffing your site with keywords worked, but that’s no longer the case. Nowadays, Google values natural integration of keywords into your content. To make the most of keywords:
Create a list of relevant terms people might use to find your offerings.
Integrate these terms seamlessly into your website’s text, maintaining readability without overloading every page with too many keywords.
Ensure Mobile-Friendly Design
With mobile usage on the rise, having a mobile-friendly website is imperative. Google takes mobile responsiveness seriously and even penalizes non-mobile-friendly sites. Make sure your site displays properly on mobile devices to avoid losing out on visitors and search rankings.
Create a Site Map
Google uses web crawlers to navigate websites, and providing them with a site map enhances their understanding of your site’s structure and content. A site map serves as a roadmap for Googlebots, guiding them intelligently through your website. If you’re using WordPress, you can easily add a site map with plugins like Google XML Sitemaps.
Deliver Valuable Content
While Google doesn’t read the content directly, it analyzes user behavior to assess the value of your website. Factors like user engagement, time spent on the site, and how visitors interact with your content contribute to Google’s evaluation. To improve your site’s appeal:
Review your content and ensure it provides real value to your visitors.
If your content doesn’t meet visitors’ needs, it might not benefit you in Google’s eyes.
Secure Your Site
Google prioritizes website security to protect its users from potential threats. Ensure your site has an SSL certificate installed, which encrypts data between the server and your visitors’ devices. This provides a secure browsing experience and is indicated by a padlock in the address bar with “https://” at the beginning of the web address.
In conclusion, implementing these measures will enhance your website’s visibility and appeal to Google’s search algorithm. If you need assistance with these steps, feel free to reach out to the team at Tropical Coast Web Design. They’d be delighted to help you gain some Google “love” for your website.
(Note: The Google search algorithm is known as PageRank, named after Larry Page, one of Google’s founders. It plays a significant role in ranking web pages in Google’s search engine results.)