Just launched your website? Do these 3 things to rank on Google (fast).

Introduction

So you launched your website, that is great news and it’s worth celebration. However, the job is not done yet. If you want your website to reach it’s full potential, you need to learn how to bring traffic to it, so that you can start generating revenue. Below, we have listed the first crucial steps you need to do to make Google fall in love with your website. Search engine optimization (SEO) does not have to be a complicated game, we are here to help you simplify it.

Set up Google Analytics, Search Console and Microsoft Clarity (for free).

The first step to take is to create a Google Search Console account, this is important because you can submit your sitemap, which informs Google that your website is live. Google will then begin indexing your website, allowing it to appear in search results. Otherwise, it might take months for Google to realise your website is online. 

Search Console is also great for tracking different keywords for which you rank for. You can check each page of your website, it’s clicks, but more importantly the queries it ranks for. 

Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity help with tracking your websites' performance. With Analytics, you can track specific key events, such as important conversions like downloads, or meetings booked, products sold, as well as how long people stayed on your website, you can see from which channels the traffic comes and much more.  

We like to use Microsoft Clarity for User Experience. With this free tool, you can literally record videos of how people use your website, and understand if it is intuitive for them or not. You can also get heatmap reports, which identify which areas of a page are hot (visit by users frequently) and which are cold (not visited at all). Based on that, you will know how to reorder the content on your website.

As mentioned in the heading, all these tools are free, and they are super powerful, you can set up and start using them today.

If you need help with the set-up, please schedule a free call with us and we can help you.

Implement Local SEO if Applicable

In today’s digital age, the importance of web design for startups cannot be overstated. A well-designed website is often the first interaction potential customers have with your business. It serves as your digital shopfront, providing critical information and establishing your brand's presence online. For startups, a compelling web design is crucial in capturing attention, building credibility, and driving business growth.

Set up Google My Business (GMB).

For startups with a physical presence, setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile is essential. GMB helps your business appear in local search results and Google Maps, making it easier for local customers to find you.

Local Keywords and Content

Incorporate local keywords into your website content to improve your visibility in local searches. If we take Weblayer for example, we are based in Amsterdam, so we use phrases like “web design services in Amsterdam” or “Amsterdam SEO agency” throughout our website.

Getting Reviews and Citations

Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your GMB profile and other review platforms. Additionally, ensure your business is listed accurately in local directories and citation sites to enhance your local SEO efforts.

Optimise your Website.

Proper use of Header Tags

This is one of the easiest, but at the same time most important things. Using header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) correctly helps organize your content and makes it easier for search engines to understand the structure of your website. Each page should have only one H1 tag that includes the primary keyword, followed by H2 and H3 tags for subheadings. Make sure to add your keyword in at least one of your H2 subheadings.

A really nice google extension we like to use is called “Detailed SEO”. You can use it on any page on the internet, to see the structure of their headings, the keyword they are ranking for and a few other things. You can also use it to audit your own website.

The importance of Meta Titles and Descriptions

Meta titles and descriptions are critical for SEO as they appear in search engine results. Craft compelling and keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions for each page to improve click-through rates and ensure your content is accurately represented in search results. Below you can see an example of Weblayer's result overview.

Optimising Images with ALT text

Images enhance user experience, but they also need to be optimised for SEO. Use descriptive Alt text for each image, including relevant keywords. This helps search engines understand the content of your images and improves your website's accessibility.

Internal Linking Strategies

Internal links connect different pages on your website, helping visitors navigate and discover more content. They also help Google understand the structure and hierarchy of your website. Use keyword-rich anchor text for internal links to boost SEO.

As an example, a bad practice for internal linking would be to use a word like “learn more” or “learn” or “read more”. These words are too vague and don’t inform your visitors or Google where would they navigate to next.

A good practice is to use descriptive words. For example, if you are linking to a service page, use the words “go to our services” or “our serves”. The rule of thumb here is to just be as clear as possible about where would the user or Google navigate to next

Ensure your website is mobile friendly

Google uses a mobile-first indexing, which means that it loves website which are mobile friendly. Since people today will mostly use their phone to do things on the web, Google wants to deliver a good experience, and so should you. 

A responsive design ensures your website looks and functions well on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Implement best practices such as flexible layouts, scalable images, and CSS media queries to create a seamless user experience across all devices.

But don’t worry if you are not sure how well your website mobile responsiveness is. Google wants to help with that too, so they have created a free tool, Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test, where you can identify and fix any issues. 

We have discussed this topic a bit further in our previous blog, The Value of Web Design for Startups.

In Summary

Optimising your new website for Google rankings involves several key steps. Setting up Google Analytics and Search Console, implementing local SEO, optimizing your website content, leveraging social media, ensuring mobile-friendliness, conducting keyword research, improving site speed, building quality backlinks, and regularly updating your content are all essential for boosting your online visibility and driving organic traffic

Stay persistent with your SEO efforts, partner with Weblayer.

SEO is an ongoing process that requires persistence and regular updates. We can help you in consistently applying these strategies and monitoring your website’s performance, and achieve and maintain high search engine rankings, ultimately driving more traffic and growth for your startup.