To get your website to rank on Google, make sure Google can find and index every important page, give each search you want to win its own page, answer that search better than the pages already on page one, and build trust with reviews, links and a fast, mobile-friendly site. For a local business, a complete Google Business Profile matters just as much as the website.
I build and optimise websites for small businesses in London. These are the steps I follow, in the order I would do them.
1. Check that Google can see your website
Nothing else matters if your pages are not in Google’s index. Search site:yourdomain.co.uk in Google to see roughly what is indexed, then set up Google Search Console to check each page properly and submit your sitemap. If pages are missing, my guide on why a website is not showing on Google covers the usual causes.
2. Give every search its own page
One page cannot rank for everything. If you offer boiler repairs, bathroom fitting and emergency call-outs in three areas, each service, and ideally each main area, needs a page of its own. This single change is often what moves a small business from ranking for its name only to ranking for the services it sells. See how many keywords to use per page.
3. Match what people are actually looking for
Search your target phrase and look at page one. If Google shows service pages, write a service page. If it shows guides and questions, write a guide. If it shows a map with local businesses, your Google Business Profile is the main way in. Copy the format that is winning, then make yours more useful.
4. Write titles and headings that say exactly what the page is
Put the main search in the SEO title, the H1 and the first paragraph, in plain words. “Emergency Plumber in Clapham | 24/7 Call-Outs” tells Google and the reader far more than “Welcome to our website”.
5. Answer the question first, then go deeper
Give the direct answer in the first few lines, then cover the follow-up questions: prices, timings, areas, what is included. Short sections with clear headings, tables where they help and an FAQ at the end make the page easier to read and easier for Google and AI Overviews to quote.
6. Make the site fast and easy to use on a phone
Most local searches happen on a phone. Compress images, avoid heavy sliders and pop-ups, and make sure buttons and phone numbers are easy to tap. Google’s Core Web Vitals report in Search Console shows which pages need work.
7. Link your own pages together
Link from your homepage and blog posts to your main service pages, using descriptive words rather than “click here”. Internal links help Google find pages and understand which ones matter most.
8. For local searches, work on your Google Business Profile and reviews
For searches like “electrician near me”, the map results often appear above the normal results. Choose the right category, fill in every field, add real photos and ask every happy customer for a review. Keep your name, address and phone number identical on your website and in directories.
9. Earn mentions from other websites
Links from trusted, relevant sites still help: local directories, suppliers, associations, local news and partners you genuinely work with. A handful of real local links is worth more than hundreds of cheap ones, which can hurt you.
10. Measure, then improve what is closest to page one
In Search Console, look for pages sitting in positions 8 to 20. They are your quickest wins: improve the content, the title and the internal links on those first.
How long does it take to rank on Google?
| What you did | Typical time to see an effect |
|---|---|
| Fixed an indexing or technical problem | Days to a few weeks |
| Published or improved a page for a local search | A few weeks to 3 months |
| Competing for busy London or national searches | 6 to 12 months or more |
The full picture, with Google’s own timings, is in how long SEO takes.
If you would rather have someone do this for you, I offer local SEO in London from £495 a month, or you can start with a free SEO audit.
Ranking on Google FAQs
Can I pay Google to rank my website higher?
No. You cannot pay Google to rank higher in the normal results. Google Ads lets you pay for an advert at the top, marked as sponsored, but it has no effect on your organic rankings.
How do I get my website on the first page of Google?
Make sure the page is indexed, target one clear search per page, answer it better than the current top results, and build trust with reviews, links and a fast mobile site. Start with searches that are specific to your service and area.
Is ranking on Google free?
Yes, appearing in the normal results is free. The cost is the time or help needed to build good pages, fix technical issues and earn reviews and links.
How long does it take to rank on Google?
A few weeks to three months for specific local searches, and six to twelve months or more for competitive London or national searches.
Do I need an SEO expert to rank on Google?
Not always. Many small businesses can do the basics themselves with Search Console and a Google Business Profile. An expert helps when the searches are competitive or the website has technical problems.
Freelance web designer and SEO in Clapham, London, and two-time Prestige Awards Web Designer of the Year. I design, build and rank websites for small businesses. More about me
