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How Long Does It Take To Get My Site on Page 1 of Google’s SERP?

Considering that 75% of people will never scroll past the first page of a Google search, it is up to you as a business owner or manager to take the necessary measures to help your website reach that elusive first page of Google. Failure to monitor your search engine rankings can hinder your company’s ability to compete and attract new prospects. Below is a look at the length of time it can take for your site to achieve this goal and three things you can do to help elevate your website to Page 1 of Google’s SERP.

How long does it usually take to reach Page 1 of Google?

Providing a specific answer to this question is extremely challenging due to large number of variables that impact search results. It is therefore not surprising that one of the most common answers to this questions is “It depends…” However, a 2017 study by Ahrefs addressed this question by analyzing 2 million random keywords along with the top ten ranking pages for those keywords. Results of the analysis demonstrated the following:

  • The average age of the websites that occupy the top ranking position is roughly 3 years old
  • The average Top 10 ranking page is over 2 years old
  • Less than one-fourth of the pages that rank in the Top 10 were less than a year old

The study also found that the companies who achieved Page 1 or Top 10 status were able to achieve this status in 2-6 months, highlighting the need for patience when launching an SEO campaign.

What can you do to expedite the SEO process?

The Business of Google SERPsWhile you cannot control how and when Google adjusts their page rankings, there are some specific steps you can take as a business owner or manager to expedite the SEO process. Here are three things you can do to help your website improve its Google ranking and ultimately reach Page 1 of Google’s SERP.

1) Set specific goals and realistic expectations

“SMART goals set out a series of criteria that can be used for setting marketing objectives. This is all wrapped up in the clever mnemonic acronym — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timelined — which makes SMART goals so easy to remember.”

Marcus Miller, Search Engine Land

The path to higher search engine rankings begins with clear goals and expectations. It is important to understand why you want to achieve a Page 1 ranking and how you are going to measure your progress.

2) Make sure your website loads quickly

“A few months ago, the Google webmaster team indicated that they would start ranking websites based on the page loading time. Sites which take ages to load slow down the entire internet and Google is considering this factor seriously…Google will also consider page load time as one of the most significant factors for your website’s search engine ranking.”

Harsh Agrawal, CEO of Shout Me Loud

Speeding up your website will benefit your business as well as the entire online community. Visitors to your site will enjoy a more satisfying user experience and your odds of converting prospects will increase.

3) Add fresh content to your website 

“The fact is, Google has gotten way better at quickly ranking fresh content. The algorithm is smart. Google prioritizes the ranking of new content or content that has “fresh factors.” 

Neil Patel, Digital Marketing Expert and Co-founder of Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics

Fresh content is a cornerstone of favorable Google search rankings. You can help keep your content fresh by regularly publishing new content, periodically freshening older content, and adding new pages to your website. You can also add links from authoritative sites and add blog posts regularly.

The Bottom Line

Rarely do websites land on Page 1 of Google on their own. Improving your website’s search engine ranking may take at least several months and requires a strategic plan, specific goals, and sustained effort. By following the three tips above, you can help put your website on the fast track to Page 1 of Google. Need help? Contact the experts at SocialSEO for a FREE consultation today!

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