M
ost readers find this post through our top Google listing. In seeking a Black-owned marketing company (and having found us), you probably already realize how important it is to rank on the first page of Google (for the right terms) to get in front of the exact clients you want.
Perfect.
This post outlines our exact strategy for getting top Google rankings.
If you’re still in the prep stages and need answers to questions like, “How long does it take a website to show up on Google?” or “How soon will I see visitors or leads once I’m ranked?” then see 5 Pertinent Questions on Google Marketing for Black Businesses before moving on.
How We Got to the Top of Google (Fast).
Below are some first page Google rankings we got using this strategy, back when our primary service offered was strategic website design.
Note: CTR is “clickthrough rate,” meaning the number of people that saw our listing and also “clicked through” to visit our target page.
Here are stats for a 90-day period:
#1 ranking, black owned web design companies: 20.45% CTR
#2 ranking, black owned graphic design companies: 22.84%
#2 ranking, african american web designers: 13.22% CTR
#2 ranking, african american web developers: 16.42% CTR
Our clickthrough rate was very good, but we could honestly have optimized some things to improve it even more. But because it was for a page I tossed up in a day for some easy rankings, I hadn’t done much to it because it was already doing a great job of generating weekly inquiries.
So here’s an overview of our process for getting ourselves and clients top Google rankings.
Stage 1: Keyword Determination
Objective: Fully understand who you’re targeting. Compile list of “starter” keywords. (CRITICAL.)
Stage 2: Competitive & Industry Analysis
Part 1
Objective A: Identify top competitors and marketing strategy effectiveness of each (SEO audits).
Objective B: Refine & finalize home page keywords, choosing most relevant, popular, and attainable.
Part 2
Objective A:Â Compile shortlist of top domains/sites to scope for links.
Objective B: Notate critical on-page optimizations your site must do for best chance of outranking competitors.
Stage 3: Compile “Starter” Places to Set Link Foundation
Objective: Map out marketing first steps.
Stage 4: Build Solid “Starter” Web Presence with Niche Listings
Objective: Build a solid and RELEVANT online presence.
Stage 5: Create Starter Content to Establish Google Rankings
Objective: Start publishing content on your website that Google will come to love.
Stage 6: Market New Posts to Increase Google Rankings
Objective: Promote your on-site content to drive Google rankings up and visitors in.
*** Repeat Steps 5 and 6 often. ***
Stage 7: Measure Content & Google Marketing Results
Objective: Discover what’s working best for your website, to do more of what gets results, and eliminate what’s a waste of investment (in either time or money).
Stage 8: Promote All Website Posts on Social Media
Objective: Start establishing your social media footprint, as social signals are also very important to Google rankings.
The Reveal
Is Google Marketing a Good Decision for Your Business?
By now, it should be abundantly clear that getting your website to the top of Google is vastly more important to your bottom line than social media. Achieving top rankings on Google can REALLY pay off — if you’re willing to stick with a sound strategy for the long haul.
Search engine marketing for competitive keywords is not a “set it and forget it” strategy. It takes focus, time, patience, high strategy, persistence, and adaptability:
Your chosen African American owned marketing agency must be able to discern whether something is working or isn’t… and know what to optimize in both cases to help you get more and BETTER clients from the Internet.
Steve, we appreciate that. There’s definitely a lot to consider when attempting to reach the first page of Google, particularly as a diversely-run company.
I can only imagine how much research has gone into this. I like your writing skills as it makes one feel included in the journey. Thank you for the valuable notes.
Many hours of research, testing, and trial & error indeed. Thanks for your recognition; glad it helps.
I have to say that you are on the right track. This will be loved by several individuals as it is detailed and interesting. All the best for your future work.
Thank you!
This has got to be one of the most honest and well written SEO articles I’ve read thus far.
We thank you very much for saying that.
Hope you will keep on offering good content like this more often. I feel more and more people should know about this. Also, I agree on most of the points you have made.
Many thanks.