If you’ve just made a wonderful new website for your small business with a brand new domain name and are wondering why it’s not featuring in the top search results on Google, read on! In this article, we’ll look at why it takes longer to rank highly on Google when you start using a new domain name, and what you can do to speed up the process of reaching the top spot. First, let’s take a look at the reasons why your website isn’t on Google’s radar:
1. New websites don’t have much domain authority yet
Your authority depends on a number of factors, including the age of your domain name (whether it’s a new website or an already established one). A new website name hasn’t had time to build up recognition with Google yet, so it will feature further down the rankings.
2. The competition for popular keywords is higher
Sites that have been around for longer have the upper hand when it comes to SEO, so the competition for your targeted keywords is stiffer.
Looking for help with your business’s SEO? Get in touch! We have years of experience helping small businesses to rank highly on Google. Check out the SEO case study of one of our clients, Treacy Decor, who, after just a few months of working with us implementing our advanced SEO strategies, began soaring through the rankings and now ranks in the top three Google search results for important keywords such ‘frenchic lazy range paint Connacht’, ‘frenchic paint brushes Connacht’, ‘frenchic paint stockists Connacht’, amongst others.
Now, let’s look at how you can prove to Google that your site is worth ranking highly:
1. Target long tail keywords first
Long tail keywords have a lower search volume which makes them less competitive to rank highly for. By choosing niche, less competitive keywords you’ll have a higher chance of ranking highly because fewer websites are targeting those keywords.
2. Make useful content
Google is getting smarter and will only rank websites it deems to be posting relevant content that’s informative to its users depending on the type of business you are. Be sure to answer the question your website’s visitor is searching for and be helpful to them in what they’re trying to find.
3. Do proper link building
When it comes to link building, it’s important to make sure that the links you’re using are from quality, genuine websites and are relevant to your kind of business. Don’t use bulk-bought or spammy links as Google will know the difference and penalise your website as a result.
4. Keep up the good work!
The key to success when it comes to SEO is to stick to it! Don’t get discouraged and quit doing the work after a few weeks if you haven’t seen results yet. There’s no quick fix when it comes to SEO…patience is key!
Check out another one of our clients, Tempo Music, who went from being nowhere online to ranking first for their targeted keywords such as ‘bodhran classes in Dublin’, ‘bodhran workshop in Dublin’, and ‘tenor banjo lessons in Dublin’, amongst others, once we’d implemented our tried and tested SEO strategies.
In a nutshell…
When it comes to changing domain names or starting with a new domain name, you’ll need to give your website time to strengthen and simply continue to post high-quality content in the meantime. Don’t worry, your website will grow and flourish and work its way to the top of Google’s rankings before you know it!
Got questions on small business marketing? Give us a shout! Making websites for small businesses and properly optimising them for SEO is what we do best.
