If you own a website, you know the importance of ranking on Google. A higher rank means more people will come to your site. This means more visitors and a lot more business and revenue. Tracking and improving your rankings on Google’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP) may sound technical, but with the proper steps, it’s easier than you think.
This guide details choosing keywords, using the right tools, and going for perfect content updates to help improve rankings over time.
Use the Right Keywords
The first and foremost thing to do for tracking and improving Google’s ranking is to choose a keyword. Think of keywords as the words that people type into Google while searching for any particular thing. The more relevant a keyword is to what you offer, the better your chance of attracting visitors interested in what you’re selling or sharing.
First, note down a list of words and phrases that might seem relevant to your website name or services. Try to find out what your customers will be using to track you. You can even use Google Keywords, UberSuggest, and Ahrefs. It will help you see if people are searching for such ads. You will also learn about the competitive keywords. That means you will clearly understand how hard it is to rank the keywords.
You’ll have a solid starting point when you find a few keywords with decent search numbers and not too much competition. Remember, the right keywords are the foundation of a good SERP strategy.
Choose a SERP Tracking Tool
Once you have your keywords, it’s time to pick a tool to help you track your rankings over time. Trying to track your Google rankings manually would be exhausting, so using a tool will save you time and give you clear insights.
A good, free option is Google Search Console. It’s from Google and shows you how your site is doing in search results. You can see which keywords bring visitors to your site, your average position for each keyword, and other valuable details. Google Search Console is straightforward and ideal if you’re just starting.
If you’re willing to invest in a paid tool, Ahrefs, and SEMrush are popular choices that provide more advanced features. With these tools, you can track keywords in real time, compare your performance against competitors, and get additional insights to help improve your rankings. If you’re serious about SEO and want to dig deeper, these tools are worth exploring.
Track Your Current Rankings
Now that your keywords and tracking tool are set up, it’s time to get your baseline rankings. This is your starting point. Your tool will show you where each of your keywords ranks on Google. Monitoring these rankings weekly or monthly to see if you’re moving up or down and adjusting your strategy as needed is a good idea.
Watching these rankings over time can help you see what’s working and what isn’t. You’ll start noticing patterns, like which keywords move up faster and which stay the same. Tracking gives you a clear picture of where you are now, which is critical to figuring out where to go next.
Focus on Improving Your Content
Content is everything when it comes to SEO. Google ranks sites based on how helpful and exciting their content is. If people find your content useful, they’re more likely to stay on your site, which signals to Google that your content is valuable.
When creating content, focus on writing for people first rather than for search engine optimization. Use natural, conversational language to ensure your information is clear and helpful. Include the keywords in the title, introduction, and a few times in the body. Keyword stuffing looks unnatural and can hurt your ranking.
If you have older content on your site, consider updating it. Adding new information, recent stats, or additional insights can make your content more valuable. Google likes fresh content, so even a minor update can boost your ranking.
Work on Building Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They are like “votes” for your site. The more quality backlinks you have, the more authority your site has in Google’s eyes, which can help you rank higher. Building backlinks might take time, but it is worth every effort.
One easy way to start is by contacting other websites or blogs in your industry and offering to write a guest post. In return, you can include a link back to your site. You can also add your site to reputable business directories to get some initial backlinks. Sharing your content on social media is another good strategy. The more people who see and share your content, the more likely it is to get noticed and linked back to it.
Quality is more important than quantity here. A few links from respected websites are far more valuable than links from low-quality sources.
Keep an Eye on Your Competitors
Keeping track of your competitors’ actions can give you ideas and insights. Use your SERP tool to check which keywords your competitors rank for and which of their pages get the most traffic. This can help you spot opportunities where you could improve, whether it’s targeting specific keywords or creating content that’s missing from their sites.
When you understand what’s working for your competitors, you’ll have a better idea of what strategies you could try for your site.
Stay Consistent and Adjust as Needed
Improving your Google rankings isn’t something that happens overnight. SEO takes time, so it’s essential to stay consistent. Check your rankings regularly and see which strategies work best. You might need to experiment a bit—try different keywords, create new types of content, or adjust how you use backlinks. SEO is a long-term game, and seeing progress can take a few weeks or even months.
Be patient and keep learning. The more effort you put in, the more likely you will see your rankings increase. Remember, small changes can make a big difference over time.
Conclusion
Tracking and improving your Google SERP rankings doesn’t have to be complicated. By picking the right keywords, using a simple tracking tool, creating helpful content, and building quality backlinks, you’ll be on your way to better rankings. Stay consistent, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results—good SEO takes time. With a steady approach, you’ll see your site rise in the search results, bringing in more visitors and helping your website succeed.
