Factors Effecting Your Search Rank
Sometimes, when looking to improve your search ranking, it can be a little confusing as to what you should change. This is a simple guide to what effects your ranking, so you can make sure you are focusing on what matters.
Links To Your Website
When non-spammy people on the web link to you, either to your domain or specific pages, this can have a positive effect on where you sit in the search results
This shows you are an authority on this topic or keywords
Keyword Targeting
Keywords and related terms show that your page or site will solve the searcher's query
There is a balancing act played here, where keywords need to be used, but not in a spammy way
Make sure the right keywords are featured in your page title, meta description, and at least somewhere on the page
Page Performance
Your page load speed - 4 seconds maximum, but as fast as possible
User friendliness on mobile, tablet and PC
Content uniqueness
Length of content - make sure the page has enough content to appear helpful, aim for at least 100 words
Engagement With Your Search Link
How people interact with your link, whether they click through or skip over your link
What they do after they click through
Brand Affinity
How connected your domain name is to the search topic
When people start to search your site name with their keywords, it shows they want your version, e.g. "wedding photographer paper and lace"
Association of Your Domain With Search
Are you the authority in that niche?
Are you a proven influencer or knowledge base for this topic?
Social Data
In a small way, how people interact with you on your associated social platforms plays a role in how your show in results
This is a signifier of trust
That's a few extra things for you to consider, to cover a few more bases, and raise your ranking.