With personalized results influenced by user behaviour, location, and device, standing out in search engine results is more challenging than ever.
However, one constant remains: organic traffic is directly tied to search engine ranking positions (SERPs).
If your keywords rank at or near the top of Google’s search results, boundless traffic will follow.
Conversely, poor visibility in the SERPs will leave your site struggling to attract organic traffic, regardless of its quality.
SEO doesn’t happen in isolation.
Variables such as skill, budget, competition level, and website quality play significant roles in how quickly you can achieve results.
Actionable steps to help improve the Google rankings.
1. Start With a Rock-Solid Technical & UX Foundation
Poor website structure and information architecture can undermine even the best SEO campaigns.
If your website is difficult for users to navigate and Google to crawl, your rankings will suffer.
Building a solid technical and UX foundation ensures both search engines and users find what they’re looking for.
Key Technical SEO and UX Priorities:
- Streamline Navigation: Ensure users can access any page within three clicks.
- Secure Your Site: Use HTTPS to build trust and protect user data.
- Improve load times: compress images, leverage browser caching, and reduce code and JavaScript bloat.
- Fix Errors: Use tools like Google Search Console to identify crawl issues, broken links, and indexing barriers.
Actionable Recommendation: Audit your website using Google Search Console’s coverage and crawl stats reports.
Identify and resolve three major issues (e.g., broken links, slow-loading pages, mobile friendliness problems) within a week.
Recheck crawl stats in two weeks to confirm improvements.
2. Deliver Helpful, Relevant, E-E-A-T-Oriented Content
High-quality content that reflects experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) is a cornerstone of modern SEO.
Google rewards content that satisfies user intent and offers value.
Google-friendly content tips:
- Write Engaging Titles: Use concise, compelling headlines (135–159 characters).
- Craft Meta Descriptions: Write unique, keyword-rich descriptions.
- Leverage Expert Sources: Include citations, case studies, or industry insights to boost authority.
Actionable Recommendation: Identify three underperforming URLs in Google Search Console.
Update each with expert citations, new insights, or FAQs. Track CTR and engagement metrics over four weeks to measure improvement.
3. Optimize Your Pages for Google
To make your pages both engaging and search-engine-friendly, optimize the content structure and metadata while using internal links strategically.
Key optimization tactics:
- Craft unique titles and meta descriptions: Ensure titles are under 60 characters and meta descriptions align with search intent.
- Use Internal Linking Strategically: Add links between relevant pages and use descriptive anchor text.
- Focus on Content Structure: Use clear headings (H1, H2, H3) and improve readability with bullet points and visuals.
Actionable Recommendation: Select three underperforming pages with high impressions and low CTR.
Rewrite their meta descriptions, add internal links, and monitor engagement metrics over four weeks.
4. Implement Schema Markup for Rich Results
Schema markup helps search engines better understand your content and enhances your visibility with rich results like star ratings and pricing details.
How to Implement Schema Markup:
- Choose the right schema type (e.g., article, FAQ, event).
- Use tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Tool.
- Validate your markup using the Google Rich Results Test.
- Add the schema code to your webpage’s HTML.
Actionable Recommendation: Implement schema markup on one key product or service page.
Validate it and track impressions, CTR, and clicks in Google Search Console. Expand to additional pages if successful.
5. Optimize for Mobile-First Indexing
Google prioritizes the mobile version of websites for indexing and ranking.
Ensuring your site is mobile-friendly is essential.
Key Strategies for Mobile Optimization:
- Responsive Design: Ensure seamless adjustments across devices.
- Page Speed: Optimize loading times with image compression and caching.
- Mobile-Friendly Navigation: simplify menus for smaller screens.
Actionable Recommendation: Use Google Search Console’s Mobile Usability report to identify issues.
Fix three major problems, such as text size or button spacing, and monitor metrics like bounce rate over four weeks.
6. Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks from reputable websites signal to Google that your site provides valuable content.
Focus on quality over quantity.
Strategies for Earning Quality Backlinks:
- Guest blogging
- Content outreach
- Broken link building
- Digital PR campaigns
Actionable recommendation:
Identify three authoritative websites in your niche.
Develop a targeted outreach plan to pitch high-value content.
Track new backlinks and their impact on traffic and rankings over three months.
7. Maintain Content Freshness
Google rewards websites that regularly update their content.
Outdated information can harm credibility and rankings.
Tips for Keeping Content Fresh:
- Update statistics with the latest data.
- Add new insights and expert quotes.
- Expand content with visuals and multimedia.
- Repurpose older posts into alternative formats.
Actionable Recommendation:
Refresh two high-performing pages by updating data or adding visuals.
Track bounce rate and time on the page over four weeks, aiming for a 10% improvement.
8. Enhance Local SEO for Businesses
For local businesses, visibility in local search results is crucial. Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) and using location-specific keywords are key steps.
Key Local SEO Strategies:
- Optimize your GBP with accurate details and photos.
- Incorporate location-specific keywords.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews.
Actionable Recommendation:
Review your GBP and update three elements (e.g., photos, categories, hours).
Incorporate location-specific keywords into key pages.
Monitor local impressions in GBP Insights over two weeks.
9. Optimize for International Audiences
International SEO ensures your content resonates with diverse languages, regions, and cultures.
Key Strategies for International SEO:
- Use hreflang tags to indicate language and regional versions.
- Localize content for cultural nuances.
- Conduct regional keyword research.
- Use country-specific domains or hosting.
Actionable Recommendation: Implement Hreflang tags for one language or region.
Translate your top-performing page and monitor international traffic over three months.

SEO doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Start by implementing one or two steps this week, such as refreshing content or optimizing for mobile.
Track your progress using Google Analytics and Search Console, and make adjustments as needed.
By focusing on great content, mobile optimization, and high-quality backlinks, you’ll position your site for long-term success.
Incremental improvements will lead to better rankings, traffic, and engagement over time.