The most common question I get asked by my clients is: "How do we rank our website at the top of Google search?" Unfortunately, there isn't a simple answer. Google uses hundreds of ranking factors, and it's nearly impossible to execute even half of them perfectly.

However, here are my 5 best practices to help you rank better in Google search results:

1. Proper Keyword Usage
Use only relevant keywords for the specific topic you are focusing on. Never overuse them (keyword stuffing). Instead, strategically apply those keywords to your page title, meta description, and heading tags. Ensure your article content naturally reflects those same keywords.

2. Quality Content
Short, compact articles that stay focused on the topic are much better than long reports filled with irrelevant filler. You might write about a topic that others have already covered, but as long as your content is unique and useful to your readers, your chances of ranking higher are much greater.

3. Website Performance
This is a technical area if you aren't familiar with web development. If your website takes a long time to load, it needs optimization. Many factors affect speed—from unoptimized images to heavy code. If you aren't sure how to fix this, I can help analyze and improve your site speed.

4. Utilize Social Signals
Share your content on social media platforms. Let it be seen by your friends and followers, and engage with them if they comment on your posts. These signals help show Google that your content is being discussed.

5. Generate Backlinks
If no other sites link to yours, it is harder for Google to establish the authority of your page. When people share and link to your content, Google recognizes the value, giving you a better chance of moving up the rankings.

Bonus: Be Mobile Responsive
With the majority of users accessing the internet via mobile today, having a responsive website is crucial. If your readers have to constantly zoom in because the font is too small, you need to optimize for a mobile-friendly experience to avoid being penalized in search results.