How do I improve my Google ranking?

If your website isn't appearing where you'd like it to on Google, the answer isn't usually one quick fix.

Google looks at many different signals when deciding which pages to show, so improving your ranking is about getting several things right.

1. Make sure Google understands your website

Your pages should clearly explain what you do, who you help and where you operate, where relevant.

Clear page titles, headings and useful content help Google understand what each page is about.

2. Target the searches your customers actually make

Don't focus solely on the biggest keywords.

A small business might have a better chance of attracting customers by targeting specific searches such as:

“accountant for small businesses in Slough”

rather than trying to rank for something extremely broad like:

“accountant.”

The aim is to appear when the right people are searching.

3. Create genuinely useful content

Answer the questions your customers are asking.

Explain your services.

Share useful advice.

Solve problems.

Good content can help demonstrate that your website is relevant and knowledgeable — and gives Google more useful information to understand.

4. Make the website technically sound

Google needs to be able to access and understand your website.

Things such as:

• Mobile usability

• Page speed

• Internal links

• Sitemap

• Page titles

• Structured data

• Crawl and indexing issues

can all play a role.

Google Search Console is particularly useful for identifying some of these issues.

5. Build your online reputation

Google doesn't just look at what's on your website.

Links and mentions from relevant, reputable websites can help establish your site's credibility.

For local businesses, your Google Business Profile, reviews and local presence are also important parts of the picture.

6. Be patient and keep improving

SEO isn't normally an overnight process.

You make improvements, measure what happens and keep refining your website.

And remember that ranking number one isn't the only goal.

Ranking for the right search, attracting the right visitor and turning that visitor into an enquiry is far more valuable.

Don't chase rankings. Chase relevance.

The best SEO strategy isn't simply about trying to convince Google that you're important.

It's about making your website the most useful answer to the people you're trying to reach.

At Orange Hippo, we look at SEO as part of the bigger picture — combining search visibility with clear messaging, good website structure and a customer journey that encourages enquiries.

Getting found is important. Getting found by the right people is what matters.