How to improve your Google ranking

There’s no shortage of advice online about ranking on the first page of Google, and for most business owners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But you don’t need a complete website overhaul to start improving your SEO.

Here are two simple, high-impact changes you can make today, without redesigning a single page.

1. Fix Your Page Titles

Every page on your website must have a unique, keyword-targeted title. Think of it like a headline, this is the clickable blue link that appears in Google’s search results.

Best practice for page titles:

• Use 6 to 8 words.

• Include your primary keyword for that page.

• Avoid keyword stuffing, keep it readable and relevant.

• You don’t need to include your business name on every page (just the homepage is fine).

Example:

Instead of “Home,” try something like:

“Tax Planning Strategies for Sydney Businesses”

Your title is set in the HTML like this:

<title>Your Page Title Here</title>

2. Add a Proper Meta Description

Underneath the page title in Google search results, you’ll find two lines of descriptive text—that’s the meta description.

If you don’t write one yourself, Google will pull in random snippets from your page. That often results in garbled or out-of-context listings.

Best practice for meta descriptions:

• Use no more than 160 characters.

• Include relevant keywords naturally.

• Make it enticing, this is your sales pitch to get the click.

• Write it with your page title in mind.

Example:

“Learn how to reduce your tax legally with expert advice tailored for small business owners.”

Pro Tip: Keep It Consistent

Make sure your page title, meta description and on-page content are aligned. If your title is about tax tips, don’t have the page content focused on retirement planning.

Think of these elements like a classified ad, they only work if they’re clear, relevant, and persuasive.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning. Once your titles and descriptions are in shape, you can move on to content structure, internal linking, image optimisation, and site speed. But you'd be surprised how many websites skip these basic steps, and miss out on potential clients because of it.

If you’d like tailored advice on how your business can get found on Google, get in touch with us today.

For more information have a look at Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide for a more comprehensive view by Google themselves.

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Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial, legal or tax advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this content at the time of publication, tax laws and regulations may change, and individual circumstances vary. Dolman Bateman accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of acting on or relying upon any of the information contained herein. You should seek professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any financial or tax decision.