Hi Owsc,
Getting a top rank on Google is an ongoing process - it requires a combination of various strategies. Keep in mind that Google's search algorithm is complex and constantly evolving, so there's no guaranteed way to secure the top spot. Note, if you're using Square's free website, there are some things you have control of and other things you don't. Our workaround was to have our own informative website which then has a link to our free Square website for shopping. Having our own site (domain name) and the ability to FTP files to the server is quite useful as we can update files like our "sitemap.xml" or any other file so Google knows when changes are made. SEO is a long-term strategy, and ranking highly on Google is a competitive endeavor. You can pay someone to manage everything for you however, there's no guarantee that even that will work. (Beware of scammers if looking into that route.) Here's a few tips and/or things to consider:
* Keyword Research:
- Identify relevant keywords and phrases that people are likely to search for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or third-party tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to help with this.
* High-Quality Content:
- Create valuable, informative, and engaging content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. Content should be well-researched, unique, and regularly updated.
* On-Page SEO:
- Optimize your website's on-page elements, including title tags, meta descriptions, header tags (H1, H2, etc.), and image alt text, to include your target keywords.
* Mobile Optimization:
- Important - Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and responsive, as Google gives preference to mobile-friendly websites.
* Page Loading Speed:
- Improve your website's loading speed, as slow-loading pages can negatively impact your rankings. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you identify areas for improvement.
* User Experience (UX):
- Create a user-friendly website with easy navigation and clear calls-to-action. A good user experience can lead to higher rankings.
* Backlinks:
- Acquire high-quality, relevant backlinks from reputable websites. Backlinks are an important ranking factor, but focus on quality over quantity.
* Local SEO (if applicable):
- If you have a local business, optimize your website for local search by creating a Google My Business profile and acquiring local citations.
* Technical SEO:
- Address technical issues such as broken links, crawl errors, and duplicate content. Ensure your website's XML sitemap is submitted to Google.
* Social Signals:
- Engage with your audience on social media platforms and encourage social sharing of your content. While social signals are not a direct ranking factor, they can indirectly impact your SEO efforts.
* Regular Updates:
- Keep your website and content up-to-date to demonstrate to Google that your site is active and relevant.
* Analytics and Monitoring:
- Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website's performance, identify issues, and make necessary improvements.
* Quality Assurance:
- Regularly audit your website for issues like duplicate content, broken links, and security vulnerabilities.
* Competitive Analysis:
- Study your competitors to see what strategies are working for them and how you can improve upon them.
* Patience and Consistency:
- SEO takes time, and ranking improvements may not happen overnight. Be patient and continue to refine your strategies over time.
