How do I get on the first page of Google?
By Ash, Founder, HosteazePublished 2 min read
The short answer
Pick specific searches you can realistically win, such as "emergency boiler repair in Swindon" rather than "plumber". Write the most useful page on the web for each one, make sure Google can find and index it, and earn mentions from other sites. Local businesses should also set up a Google Business Profile, which can put you in the map results.
The honest answer is that you don't get on the first page of Google, a page does, for a particular search. A new florist won't rank for "flowers", but it can rank for "wedding flowers in Harrogate" within months. Choose the right searches and most of the battle is won.
Which searches should I aim for?
Aim for searches that are specific, show clear intent and match something you do better than most.
| Search | Competition | Chance for a small business |
|---|---|---|
| "accountant" | National firms, directories, big publishers | Very low |
| "accountant Leeds" | Local firms and directories | Medium, mainly through the map results |
| "accountant for self-employed hairdressers Leeds" | A handful of pages | High, if you write the best page for it |
Type your idea into Google and look at what ranks now. If page one is all national brands and government sites, pick a narrower version.
What does Google actually reward?
Google's own guidance boils down to a few things:
- Content that's helpful, reliable and written for people. Answer the question fully, with real examples from your work.
- Words people actually search for. Use the terms your customers use, not industry jargon.
- A clear title and headings. Each page should be about one thing, and its title should say what.
- A site Google can crawl. Pages that are blocked, hidden behind logins or marked "noindex" won't appear.
- Mentions and links from other sites, which help Google discover your pages and judge their standing.
There are also some myths to drop. Google says it doesn't use the meta keywords tag, and that word count alone doesn't matter for ranking.
How do I make sure Google can find my site?
- Set up Google Search Console and submit your sitemap.
- Use the URL Inspection tool on your key pages to check they're indexed.
- Make sure every important page is linked from another page on your site.
- Check your site works well on a phone and loads quickly. Our guide to testing your website speed shows how.
What about local businesses?
If customers find you by location, the map results are often the fastest route to page one. They're driven by your Google Business Profile rather than your website alone. Start with our local SEO checklist.
What should I avoid?
Buying links, stuffing keywords and publishing near-identical pages for every town all break Google's spam policies. They can push a site down rather than up. The slow route of useful pages and genuine backlinks is also the only one that lasts. Give changes a few weeks before you judge them, since Google says some take months to show.
Related guides: Why is my Google Business Profile not showing up?.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay Google to rank higher?
Not in the normal results. Google says it doesn't accept payment to rank pages higher. You can pay for Google Ads, which appear in labelled ad spaces, but they stop the moment you stop paying.
How long does it take to get on page one?
Google says some changes take effect in hours and others take several months, and suggests waiting a few weeks before judging. For a new site in a competitive field, think in months.
Should I use an SEO company that guarantees page one?
No. Google's own advice is that nobody can guarantee a number one ranking, and that a company promising one is a reason to look elsewhere.
