Why is My Website Not Ranking on Google?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is my website not ranking on Google?”, you’re not alone. Many business owners face the same challenge, especially in competitive markets. Getting your website to rank higher on Google can seem daunting, but with a solid (Search Engine Optimisation) SEO strategy, it’s entirely possible.

What Does It Mean to Have a Website Ranked on Google?

When we talk about ranking on Google, we mean where your website appears in search results when users type in relevant keywords. Ideally, you want your site to be on the first page because most users rarely go beyond that. Your ranking depends on Google’s assessment of your website’s relevance and authority, which is influenced by a multitude of factors like content quality, keyword usage, and technical SEO.

If your website isn’t ranking, it’s likely because Google doesn’t view it as the best match for the search queries you’re targeting. This could be due to weak content, technical issues, or stiff competition. When working with photography businesses, we added portfolio pages with well-thought-out keyword descriptions of each image or project which helped signal relevance to Google, increasing the chances of higher rankings.

Although rankings are often used to measure performance, it’s important to remember that they are not the only metric that matters. In fact, overall organic traffic and website conversions are sometimes more critical for your business’s success. Higher rankings don’t always equate to increased business value if they aren’t driving the right traffic or converting visitors into customers.

When determining the key performance indicators (KPIs) for your website, it’s essential to focus on the metrics that directly impact growth. Rankings provide insight, but organic traffic and conversions give a clearer picture of how your website is performing in attracting and engaging the right audience. So, when setting KPIs for your business, consider these broader measures to ensure your website is not only visible but also contributing to your business goals.

Reasons Why Your Website May Not Be Ranking

There are several reasons why your website may not be ranking as well as you’d like:

1. Lack of Optimised Content: Content is king, but only if it’s optimised. Google rewards websites that offer high-quality, relevant content that satisfies user intent. If your content is thin, poorly written, or not targeted at the right keywords, it could be affecting your rankings. Clean, concise URLs help Google understand your page content faster.
2. Weak Keyword Strategy: Keywords play a crucial role in helping Google understand what your website is about. Without proper keyword research and integration, your website might not be showing up for the search terms your audience is using.
3. Poor Technical SEO: Technical SEO refers to things like site speed, mobile-friendliness, and the overall structure of your website. If your site is slow to load or difficult to navigate, Google will push it down in rankings. Don’t forget to use ALT tags on all images. Not only does this improve accessibility for visually impaired users, but it also boosts your SEO by giving search engines more context about the content of your images.
4. Lack of Authority: Google gives preference to websites that are seen as authoritative. Building authority takes time and requires earning backlinks from reputable websites, which signals to Google that your content is valuable and trustworthy.

How to Rank Your Website Using Blogs and Landing Pages

If you’re serious about improving your rankings, content development and optimisation are key strategies, especially for businesses looking to attract local traffic. Here’s how you can use blogs and landing pages to boost your SEO:

1. Blog Regularly with Relevant Content

Blogging is an excellent way to increase your site’s visibility. By creating blog posts that answer common questions your audience is searching for, you’ll naturally start to rank higher on Google.

For example, if you’re selling sustainable T-shirts, consider writing blog posts that focus on topics relevant to eco-conscious consumers, such as “How to Choose the Best Sustainable T-Shirt for Everyday Wear” or “The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion vs. Sustainable Clothing Choices.” These types of posts not only attract readers interested in sustainability but also help your website rank for relevant search terms like “sustainable T-shirts” and “eco-friendly fashion.”

2. Target Local Keywords in Your Content

Using location-based keywords in your content can help you rank for searches that are specific to your region. For example, phrases like “sustainable T-shirts in Manchester” or “eco-friendly clothing Manchester” signal to Google that your content is relevant to users in that area. This makes it easier for local consumers looking for environmentally conscious products to find your website when searching for sustainable fashion options nearby.

Incorporate these keywords naturally into your blogs and landing pages to attract the right audience and improve your local search rankings.

3. Optimise Landing Pages

Landing pages are critical for driving conversions and should be optimised for both users and search engines. Focus on including strong, clear headlines (using H1 tags), concise meta descriptions, and engaging, informative content.

If you’re offering sustainable T-shirts, make sure your landing page contains keywords like “sustainable T-shirts” while also addressing common questions or pain points your audience may have, such as “What makes a T-shirt truly sustainable?” or “How do sustainable fabrics compare to regular ones?” Landing pages that are well-structured, include relevant keywords, and provide valuable information to the user will often rank higher on search engines.

For our WooCommerce clients, we optimise product pages, adding unique product descriptions with niche keywords, and ensuring fast loading times are quick wins to improve rankings and conversion rates.

4. Build a Content Strategy Around User Intent

Understanding user intent is crucial to SEO. Your content must align with what your audience is looking for, whether it’s informational, transactional, or navigational content. Blogs that answer frequently asked questions or explain complex topics in an accessible way are more likely to drive engagement and improve rankings.

Regular audits using tools like SE Ranking, SEOMoz, and Ahrefs help ensure your site stays up to date with SEO best practices and reveal potential areas for improvement.

How We Approach SEO at M4B

At M4B, we believe effective SEO begins with a clear understanding of your audience’s needs and behaviours. We blend on-site content optimisation with technical SEO insights to develop a strategy that drives customer engagement and conversions.

Our approach includes:

• Keyword Analysis: We identify the key terms that your target audience is using, allowing us to build content that attracts the right traffic.
• Content Development: We create and optimise compelling content for blog posts and landing pages to enhance your site’s relevance and authority.
• Technical SEO: From site speed improvements to mobile optimisation, we ensure your website meets Google’s technical requirements.
• Local SEO Strategy: Targeting local keywords like “sustainable clothing Manchester” connects you with eco-conscious customers in your area, boosting visibility and sales for your sustainable fashion offerings.

Need SEO Help?

Ranking on Google doesn’t happen overnight, but with a well-rounded SEO strategy that includes quality content, keyword optimisation, and technical improvements, your website will start climbing the ranks.

If you’re struggling to get your website noticed, don’t worry, M4B can help. Whether you need to optimise existing content or develop a full SEO strategy, we’re here to support businesses across Lancashire and beyond.

Contact M4B today to see how we can help improve your rankings and get your business found online.