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How to Optimise Your Website for Higher Google Rankings

  • Writer: John Micciche
    John Micciche
  • Apr 14
  • 3 min read

Every small business wants to be found on Google—but with so much competition, how do you stand out? The answer lies in website optimisation. In this blog, we’ll break down practical ways to improve your website’s visibility and attract more visitors from search engines.


Person working on a laptop with illustrated cogs, upward graph, and notes representing website optimisation and SEO strategy
Website optimisation in action – turning strategy into results with SEO-driven growth.

1. Start with Keyword Research


Before you make any changes, you need to know what your audience is searching for. Keyword research helps you discover the terms potential customers use to find services like yours.


How to Do It:


  • Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest

  • Focus on long-tail keywords (e.g. “affordable website design Loughborough”)

  • Consider search intent—what is the user hoping to achieve?

These keywords should then guide the structure and content of your key pages.


2. How to Optimise Your Website for Google Rankings: Step-by-Step Guide


On-page SEO involves optimising individual web pages. Here’s what to focus on:


Key Elements to Optimise:


  • Title Tags: Clear, concise, and keyword-rich

  • Meta Descriptions: Enticing summaries that include your focus keyword

  • Header Tags (H1, H2, H3): Organise your content with proper headings

  • Alt Text for Images: Helps with accessibility and SEO

  • Internal Linking: Connect related pages to guide visitors and search engines

Want to understand the basics first? Read our post: What is Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?

3. Create High-Quality, Relevant Content


Google prioritises websites that regularly publish helpful, original content. A business blog is a great place to start.


Content Tips:

  • Address common customer questions

  • Include your target keywords naturally

  • Update older blog posts with fresh information

  • Avoid keyword stuffing—focus on value

Consistent blogging can also build trust and authority over time.


4. Optimise for Mobile and Speed


Over 60% of website traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing both users and rankings.


Action Steps:

  • Use a responsive design (Wix does this automatically)

  • Compress images to reduce load times

  • Minimise the use of large files or unnecessary scripts

  • Test your site with Google’s PageSpeed Insights


5. Strengthen Your Technical SEO


Technical SEO makes sure your site can be properly crawled and indexed by Google.


Key Areas to Check:

  • SSL Certificate (HTTPS): A trust and ranking signal

  • Sitemap: Submit it to Google Search Console

  • Robots.txt: Ensure it isn’t blocking key pages

  • Broken Links: Fix or remove any error pages


These tweaks might not be visible to users but have a big impact on performance.


6. Build Local SEO Signals


If you’re a local business, optimising for location-specific searches is crucial.


Tips for Local SEO:

  • Create location-based landing pages

  • Add your business to local directories

  • Collect Google reviews

  • Keep your Google Business Profile up to date

  • Use location keywords in your content


This improves your chances of appearing in the local map pack and search results.


7. Earn Quality Backlinks


Backlinks—links from other websites to yours—are one of Google’s top ranking signals.


How to Get Them:

  • Write guest posts

  • Partner with local businesses for link exchanges

  • Get listed in trusted local directories

  • Create shareable content, like infographics or how-to guides

Avoid low-quality or spammy backlinks, as they can harm your site’s credibility.


8. Monitor Your Results and Make Improvements


SEO isn’t a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing process. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track:

  • Where your traffic is coming from

  • What keywords are driving visitors

  • Which pages are performing best


Make data-driven decisions to tweak and improve your site over time.


Final Thoughts


Optimising your website for Google rankings isn’t about quick wins. It’s about building a solid foundation that helps your business grow steadily online. With the right structure, content, and local presence, your site can become a magnet for customers.


👉 Not sure where to start? Request a free SEO Health Check and find out how your site is really performing.

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