We hear this question all the time: “How long will it take to get to the first page in Google?” If we had an easy answer for that, we’d work a lot less and earn a lot more. Sadly, there is no universal timeframe for reaching Page 1 Google rankings. Even seasoned SEO companies have to play around with direct search engine optimization strategies to find out what works for each of their clients individually. Nevertheless, there are some facts you can learn to better prepare you for first page search engine ranking.
Why Page 1 Google Ranking Matters
Before we discuss the factors that will help you get to the front page, we need to show you just how valuable Page 1 ranking is. Only 8.5% of web searchers ever make it past the first page of Google for their search results. Furthermore, less than 1% of searchers make it past Page 3. If your website is not ranked on the first page of Google for your target keywords, you are missing out on a vital source of traffic for your business. It does not matter what industry you work in or who your audience is – you need to be on Page 1. PERIOD.
PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE: When is the last time you ventured past the first “O” in the word Google? For that matter, when is the last time you even scrolled down the first page of your search results? Your audience behaves just like you. Get your site where they can see you, and you’ll see a tremendous growth in lead generation.
Understanding How Search Engine Ranking Works
There are several different factors that determine where your website ranks on search engines. Some of these factors may not influence your SEO strategies, but they will still impact where you stand against your competition. We’ll break down the most important ones here to provide a better understanding of how search engines rank your website.
Different Search Engines – Different Ranking Methods
Most people focus on the Google algorithm for their search engine optimization strategies, but the fact is that every search engine employs its own unique ranking methods. While Google may be the most powerful and widely used search engine on the web, it is far from the only one to watch out for. Bing, Yahoo!, and even antiquated engines like AOL all have their own ways of ranking your website above others. You don’t need to worry about these differences too much, but you should note that ranking on Page 1 for Google is not the same as ranking on the first page somewhere else.