You can’t have a business these days without setting up your online presence as well. Gone are the days of people calling their friends to ask for a recommendation. These days, people will type in several key phrases or keywords, and Google will use them to compile a page with results. We all know that time is money, and attention spans are shrinking as we speak.
Consequently, people will scan the first few results on Google and choose the first two or three. But they will click on the first result almost instantly. Just imagine how many customers you can gain if you are the first result on the Google search results page. The alternative is quite grim; just imagine how many customers you’ll lose just because you are not the first result or among the top three. Let’s see why you should prioritize being on the first page of Google, as it will benefit your business’s long-term success.
Build your online presence the right way
If you want to be at the top of the first page of Google’s search results, you must have a perfectly optimized and responsive website. In a nutshell, everything starts with a website. So if you’re mulling over the idea of whether you need a website or are your social media pages are enough, the answer is simple. You need the website. Being on the first page ensures that your website is seen by a significantly larger audience, increasing brand exposure and recognition.
Click through rate
Click-through rate, or CTR for short, is a valuable metric that will tell you the rate at which people click on your website. If the CTR is high, it means that you are getting the right visibility, and people don’t have any issue finding you. Alternatively, if the CTR is low, it’s a clear sign that you need to work on website optimization. It’s been shown that high CTR is connected to the position on the Google search results page. Most clicks happen on the first page of search results, leading to a substantial increase in website traffic.
Brand awareness
People will remember you when you are consistently being shown as one of the results for the relevant search queries. Once they see your brand, they will start noticing you among search results with each consequent search. This is brand awareness, and with the right marketing strategy in place, awareness of your brand will be on a continuous rise. A consistent presence on the first page fosters brand familiarity and trust among users, laying a solid foundation for future interactions.
Optimization and responsiveness
The key behind a website that is shown as one of the first results, if not the number one result on Google is search engine optimization. Those who recognize that SEO is a must as early as possible will get a head start and will be able to compete even against the biggest competitors. An expert like an SEO Sydney agency will also emphasize the importance of mobile optimization, as most searches come from a mobile device. The explanation is simple: we all have high screen time as we use our phones for everything, as long as we have an internet connection.
Source of organic traffic
Organic traffic directly results from proper optimization, mobile responsiveness, and ongoing SEO strategy conducted by an agency of your choice. When you rank as high as possible, that is, the first position on Google, it directly translates to higher organic traffic. Users are more likely to click on the first website they see, and that is probably one that appears at the top of search results.
Sign of credibility and trustworthiness
Let’s do a thought experiment – would you choose to buy from a website that is on the first page of Google or from a website that is on the third page? Or, when was the last time you scrolled to the third page of Google searching for a website that solves your query or a problem?
That’s because users perceive those who appear on the first page as more credible and trustworthy. CTR easily measures credibility and trustworthiness; if it’s high, it’s a clear sign of trustworthiness.
You’ll outrank your competitors
Competitive edge is important in today’s market. Even though you’ll probably compete against competitors who’ve been investing in SEO strategies longer than you have, you can still become equally competitive. When you outrank competitors on the first page, it establishes your brand as a leader in the industry, attracting more customers and opportunities. For the best results, you can combine organic and paid marketing strategies. While you work on your SEO, you can rely on PPC to drive traffic to your website, boost your online visibility, and surpass your competitors faster.
Relevant source of traffic
You’ll get targeted traffic when you increase your website visibility by appearing as the first result for specific search queries. The path to this is to have your SEO agency do thorough keyword research and suggest ways to optimize your website for relevant keywords. Every time a person searches for keywords you want to rank for (appear as a result on Google SERP), you will receive relevant and targeted traffic. First-page visibility ensures that your website receives more relevant and targeted traffic, increasing the likelihood of conversions.
It’s a cost-effective decision
Building your online presence through organic practices will be a cost-effective decision in the long run. The best strategy is to combine paid and organic search marketing strategies to boost traffic to your website. Organic first-page ranking provides long-term benefits without the recurring costs associated with paid advertising campaigns. Thus, while you wait for your website to rank for the most relevant keywords, dedicate a paid advertising budget to build brand awareness.
It’s a necessary strategy for local businesses
Local businesses need better online visibility to attract customers and increase foot traffic to their physical location. Especially if you run a small local business and provide the service, you should consider increasing your local business visibility. Securing a spot on the first page is particularly beneficial for local businesses, increasing visibility and foot traffic.
We’ve given you ten different benefits of being on the first page of Google, and we can’t emphasize them enough for you. The benefits are undeniable, especially in the digital world we live in. Your business needs to maximize its efforts to skyrocket the results and reap the rewards it brings.