How to Get My Business on Top of Google Search in 2025

You’ve poured your heart and soul into your business, but it feels like you’re invisible online. You know that showing up at the top of Google search results could be a game-changer, but you’re not sure where to start.

I get it. As a business owner myself, I’ve been there. It’s frustrating to see your competitors ranking higher than you, snagging all the potential customers. But here’s the good news: with the right strategies, you can outrank them and claim your spot at the top.

In this post, I’ll share my proven tactics on how to get your business on top of Google search, even if you’re starting from scratch.

No fluff, no hype – just actionable steps you can implement today.

Table of Contents

How to Get My Business on Top of Google Search

To get your small business to rank higher in Google Search, you must first understand how search engines work.

Google uses complex algorithms to crawl, index, and rank web pages. It looks at hundreds of factors to determine which sites should show up first for any given search.

Some of the most important ones are:

• Relevance of your content to the search query
• Quality and depth of your content
• User experience factors like site speed and mobile-friendliness
• Number and quality of links pointing to your site
• Proper use of on-page SEO elements like title tags and header tags

Why does all this matter for your business?

Because higher rankings = more visibility = more traffic = more customers.

Studies have shown that the top 3 results on Google get over 50% of all clicks, with a steep drop-off from there.

If you want your business to be found online, you need to rank high for relevant searches.

Top business listings on local Google Maps

Okay, so now that we know how search engines work and why Google rankings matter, let’s dive into some actionable steps you can take to optimize your site and start climbing those search results.

1. Optimize Your Website for Google Search

In 2025, site performance is more critical than ever for ranking well on Google.

A study found that a 1-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions. By improving your load time from 3 seconds to under 2 seconds, you not only enhance user experience but also increase your chances of ranking higher on Google.

Google rewards websites that deliver excellent performance across devices, making it essential to optimize your site’s speed, uptime, and responsiveness.

Conduct an SEO Audit

If you’re not sure where to start with optimizing your site, an SEO audit is a great first step. This is where you thoroughly analyze your site to identify any technical issues or areas for improvement.

Some key things to look at during an audit:

You can use tools like Screaming Frog or Semrush’s Site Audit to automate much of this process. But I always recommend having an experienced SEO professional review the results and provide recommendations.

An audit will give you a roadmap for optimizing your site and getting it in tip-top shape for Google. It’s well worth the investment.

Improve User Experience

Google wants to promote sites that provide a great user experience. That means fast load times, mobile-friendly design, intuitive navigation, and other factors that make your site a pleasure to use.

Some key things to focus on:

Optimize Web Elements for Speed

• Compress Images: Use tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to reduce file sizes without losing quality.
• Minify Code: Remove unnecessary characters, comments, and whitespace from CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
• Enable Browser Caching: Store static resources like images locally on users’ devices for faster repeat visits.

Use Reliable Hosting

• Choose a hosting provider that offers high uptime (99.9% or more) and fast servers.
• Consider managed hosting services optimized for platforms like WordPress.

Reduce HTTP Requests

• Combine CSS and JavaScript files to minimize the number of requests.
• Use CSS sprites to combine multiple images into one file, reducing load times.

Leverage Server-Side Improvements

• Upgrade to HTTP/3 for faster and more secure connections.
• Use gzip or Brotli compression to reduce file sizes.

Improve Database Performance

• Regularly clean up your database by removing unused data and optimizing tables.
• Use caching mechanisms like Redis or Memcached to reduce server load.

Monitor Uptime

• Use uptime monitoring tools like UptimeRobot or Pingdom to ensure your site is always accessible.
• Address downtime issues promptly by working with your hosting provider.

Regular Maintenance

• Update plugins, themes, and CMS platforms to prevent compatibility issues.
• Audit your site monthly to identify outdated resources or features.

Put yourself in your visitor’s shoes and aim to create a seamless, enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Happy users = happy Google.

2. Focus on Creating Unique Content

Content is the foundation of any good search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. You need to publish content that’s relevant, in-depth, and provides real value to searchers. That means going beyond surface-level fluff and really digging into topics that matter to your audience.

For example, let’s say you run a pet grooming business. Instead of just writing a short blog post on “5 Tips for Grooming Your Dog”, you could create an ultimate guide covering everything from brushing techniques to nail trimming to dealing with matted fur. Make it the best resource out there on the topic, and Google will take notice.

In 2025, it’s no longer enough to create in-depth content. Google’s algorithms are more sophisticated than ever, prioritizing content that offers real value, is original, and aligns closely with user intent.

Why does unique content matter in 2025?

• User Intent Alignment: Google’s RankBrain and other AI systems prioritize content that directly answers user queries with clarity and depth.
• E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): High-quality, original content helps establish your business as a trusted authority in your industry.
• Competition and Differentiation: With more businesses optimizing for search, unique content helps you stand out in saturated markets.
• AI Content Checks: Google’s algorithms can identify AI-generated or spun content and penalize it. Originality is now rewarded more than ever.

Here are some tips for creating unique content:

• Dig Into Your Audience: Research your target audience’s pain points, questions, and interests using tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, and forums like Reddit or Quora.
• Leverage Your Expertise: Share insights from your experience that competitors can’t easily replicate, such as case studies, customer stories, or exclusive industry data.
• Choose a Topic with High Impact: Use keyword research tools to find trending topics with high search volume and low competition. Identify content gaps by reviewing what competitors are missing.
• Develop a Fresh Angle: Approach familiar topics from a new perspective. For example, instead of “SEO Best Practices,” consider “How AI is Changing SEO in 2025.” Incorporate personal anecdotes, expert interviews, or unique formats like interactive tools.
• Enhance with Multimedia: Use original images, charts, and videos to illustrate points and improve engagement. Optimize media files for speed and SEO by compressing them and adding descriptive alt text.
• Engage Your Audience: End your content with a call-to-action that encourages comments, shares, or questions. Promote on social media and email newsletters to boost visibility.
• Update Regularly: Keep your content relevant by updating it with the latest trends, data, and developments in your industry.

When it comes to content, quality beats quantity every time. Focus on creating comprehensive, well-researched content that showcases your expertise and provides genuine value to readers.

3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile for Local SEO

If you’re a local business looking to get on top of Google search in your area, optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is an absolute must.

Here’s how to claim and optimize your profile to boost your local search rankings.

Claim Your Business Profile

First things first: You need to claim your Google Business Profile and verify ownership of your business.

1. Go to Google Business and manage your listing (or create a new one if you don’t have one yet).
2. Fill out all of your business information completely and accurately, including your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, and more.
3. Verify your business by phone, email, postcard, or instant verification (not available for all businesses).

Once you’ve claimed your profile, you have control over your business listing across Google Search and Google Maps. This helps you show up accurately in local search results.

Optimize Your Business Listing

Now that you’ve claimed your Google Business Profile, it’s time to optimize it to rank higher in local search.

Here are some tips:

• Make sure all of your business information is complete, accurate, and up-to-date (and matches your info on your website and other listings).
• Add plenty of high-quality photos of your business, products, team, etc. to make your profile more engaging.
• Select the most relevant categories for your business (but don’t stuff irrelevant ones).
• Add any relevant service areas, attributes, and highlights to give searchers more info about your business.
• Publish Google posts regularly to share updates, promotions, events, and more.

The more complete and optimized your Google Business Profile is, the better chance you have of ranking high in local search results and Google Maps.

Encourage Customer Reviews

One of the most important ranking factors for local SEO is customer reviews, especially on your Google Business Profile. Google sees reviews as a key trust signal.

To get more Google reviews on your profile:

• Deliver amazing customer service and products that people want to rave about.
• Ask satisfied customers to leave you a review (make it easy with a direct link to your Google review page).
• Respond to all reviews, positive and negative, to show that you value customer feedback and care about your online reputation.

When you have a strong overall star rating and a steady stream of recent reviews on your Google Business Profile, you’ll be more likely to rank higher in local searches and get more visibility in Google Maps.

I’ve personally seen the power of using Google Business Profile for local businesses. One client I worked with went from barely showing up in their local Google map pack to being the #1 result after we optimized their profile and generated more reviews.

So if you want to get your business on top of Google search and Google Maps in your local area, pay close attention to your Google Business Profile.

4. Use Core Web Vitals to Outrank Your Competitors

Core Web Vitals are essential metrics introduced by Google to measure user experience on a website. They have been a ranking factor since 2021, and in 2025, their significance has only grown. A seamless, user-friendly website isn’t just good for visitors — it’s critical for ranking at the top of Google Search.

What are Core Web Vitals?

Core Web Vitals focus on three key aspects of user experience:

1. Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Measures how fast the largest visible element on the page loads. Ideal time: under 2.5 seconds.
2. First Input Delay (FID): Evaluates interactivity by measuring the time it takes for a user to interact with the page. Ideal time: less than 100 milliseconds.
3. Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Assesses visual stability by tracking unexpected layout shifts. Ideal score: less than 0.1.

Why do Core Web Vitals matter in 2025?

• Better User Experience: Google continues to prioritize websites offering excellent user experiences, using Core Web Vitals as a baseline.
• Mobile-First Indexing: With most traffic coming from mobile devices, optimizing for fast and stable performance is non-negotiable.
• Competitive Edge: Faster, more interactive sites convert better and retain visitors longer, indirectly boosting engagement metrics that influence rankings.

Imagine a competitor’s site takes 4 seconds to load its main image, causing users to bounce quickly. By optimizing your LCP to under 2.5 seconds, visitors stay engaged on your site, leading to lower bounce rates and better rankings.

A few tips for optimizing Core Web Vitals:

Optimize Page Load Speed

• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to distribute content efficiently.
• Minimize CSS and JavaScript files by combining and compressing them.
• Implement lazy loading for images and videos to prioritize above-the-fold content.

Improve Interactivity (FID)

• Minimize third-party scripts that can slow down interaction times.
• Use browser caching to load repeat visits faster.
• Regularly audit your JavaScript to identify and remove unnecessary code.

Enhance Visual Stability (CLS)

• Specify dimensions for all media (images, videos, and embeds) to avoid layout shifts.
• Use fonts that don’t cause layout jarring during loading.
• Avoid inserting ads or elements dynamically above the fold after the page loads.

Use Responsive Design

• Test your website across devices to ensure it’s mobile-friendly.
• Adopt scalable vector graphics (SVGs) for visuals, as they adapt better to screen sizes without quality loss.

Test Your Website Performance Regularly

• Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights or Lighthouse to analyze Core Web Vitals. Identify areas needing improvement based on the provided diagnostics.
• Address each vital metric systematically. For example, optimize image sizes to improve LCP, or preload critical resources to reduce delays.
• Use tools like WebPageTest or GTmetrix to monitor ongoing performance.

Leverage Tools and Plugins

• WordPress users can benefit from plugins like WP Rocket for caching or Smush for image optimization.
• Ensure your hosting provider offers fast server speeds and SSD storage.

5. Build High-Quality Links

Beyond optimizing your website content, you can also boost your Google rankings by getting other websites to mention you. These are called backlinks.

Types of Backlinks

Boosting your website’s ranking involves tracking a variety of backlink sources. Whether these links come from reputable blogs or major business directories, they each play a vital role in building traffic and credibility.

• Editorial links: Earned naturally by creating link-worthy content that other sites want to reference.
• Guest post links: Acquired by contributing valuable content to other relevant sites in your niche.
• Business profile links: Gained by listing your business in reputable online directories and platforms.
• Niche blog comment links: Left genuinely on industry blogs to build relationships (not spam.).

The key is to focus on high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative websites in your space.

Strategies for Acquiring Backlinks

So, how do you actually get these coveted backlinks?

Here are some proven strategies I’ve used to build backlinks and boost search rankings:

1. Create truly valuable, linkable content that people in your industry will want to reference and share (think ultimate guides, original research, infographics, etc.).
2. Reach out to other websites and influencers in your niche to pitch guest post ideas, collaborations, or content partnerships.
3. Monitor your competitor’s backlinks using tools like Ahrefs or Moz and see if there are opportunities to get featured on those same sites.
4. Participate in industry forums, online communities, and Q&A sites like Quora to build relationships and naturally link back to your site when relevant.

Pro tip: Always prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to link building. A few high-value links will do more for your rankings than dozens of spammy, low-quality ones.

Internal Linking Best Practices

In addition to external links from other sites, internal linking is also key for SEO. Linking strategically between your own pages helps search engines understand your site structure and passes link equity around.

Here are some internal linking best practices to keep in mind:

• Use descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text for your internal links (but don’t overdo it with exact match phrases).
• Link to your most important pages often to show search engines that they’re high-value.
• Create a logical hierarchy and flow between your pages to spread link equity and help users navigate your site.
• Regularly audit your internal links to fix any broken links and optimize your anchor text.

By combining a solid external and internal linking strategy, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong link structure that can help your business rank higher in search and get more organic traffic.

Want free high-quality backlinks automatically added to your content? Watch this video 👇

6. Rank Higher on Search with Google Ads

Another way to secure a top spot in Google search results is paid advertisement.

Here’s how you can use Google Ads to improve your ranking and ensure your business captures valuable online real estate.

Create Compelling Ad Copy

Your ad copy is crucial for attracting clicks. It should be relevant, engaging, and include strong call-to-actions (CTAs).

Incorporate keywords that match your target audience’s search intent. This not only improves click-through rates (CTR) but also increases the likelihood of conversions once users land on your page.

Select the Right Keywords

Finding the right keywords is foundational in running successful Google Ads campaigns. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to research keywords related to your business that have high search volumes but moderate competition.

Long-tail keywords are particularly useful as they’re more specific and often less competitive while still capturing qualified traffic.

• Broad Match: Targets variations of your keyword, offering maximum reach but potentially lower relevance.
• Phrase Match: Provides a balance by targeting queries that include a specific phrase or close variations of it.
• Exact Match: Targets searches exactly matching or very closely matching the keyword phrase ensuring high relevance but limited reach.

Leverage Ad Extensions

To further increase visibility and CTRs, use ad extensions on Google Ads. These allow additional information such as site links, contact info, or product highlights beneath your standard ad text.

Ad extensions provide more reasons for potential customers to engage with what you’re offering without cluttering up their screen space.

7. Social Media and Online Engagement

Social media and online engagement play a pivotal role in driving traffic and boosting SEO rankings in 2025. While social signals may not directly impact Google’s algorithm, their indirect effects — such as increased visibility, website traffic, and backlinks — are invaluable for climbing to the top of search results.

Here’s a case study by HootSuite on social media’s impact on SEO.

The Power of Social Signals

Social signals refer to the likes, shares, comments, and overall visibility that content receives on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Why are these interactions important to your rankings?

• Increased Brand Visibility: Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram provide opportunities to share content, attract followers, and establish brand authority.
• Traffic Generation: Social media posts and campaigns can drive users to your site, boosting traffic — a factor that indirectly supports rankings.
• Link-Building Opportunities: A well-crafted social media post linking back to your website not only drives traffic but also encourages more external sites to link back to your content.
• Content Amplification: Social platforms act as amplifiers, ensuring your content reaches a broader and more diverse audience.

How do you leverage social media for SEO?

Choose the Right Platform

• Identify where your target audience spends their time. For example, LinkedIn is ideal for B2B businesses, Instagram works well for visually driven industries like fashion, travel, and food, TikTok is best for targeting younger audiences with video shorts, and Pinterest is effective for lifestyle and e-commerce businesses. For example, a fitness brand could use Instagram to share workout videos, while a SaaS company might publish whitepapers on LinkedIn.
• Focus on 2-3 platforms to start, optimizing your presence and engagement there before expanding.

Share Valuable Content

• Blog summaries with links back to your website, infographics summarizing key data or tips, short videos explaining complex topics, and user-generated content that highlights your brand in action. For example, a skincare brand could create a carousel post on Instagram explaining the benefits of its products and include a link to a detailed blog post.
• Repurpose content into different formats (e.g., turning a blog post into a series of tweets or Instagram Stories).

Encourage Shares and Comments

• Post open-ended questions to spark discussions. For example, a coffee shop could ask, “What’s your favorite winter drink? Vote in our poll!” on Instagram Stories to drive engagement.
• Incentivize sharing by offering exclusive discounts or free resources.

Engage Actively

• Respond to comments, mentions, and messages promptly to foster relationships with your audience.
• Join relevant industry groups and forums to share insights and build authority.

Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

• Run contests or campaigns inviting users to share their experiences with your products or services. For example, a travel company could run a hashtag campaign like #ExploreWithUs, inviting travelers to share their vacation photos for a chance to be featured.
• Highlight UGC on your profiles to build trust and increase engagement.

Use Hashtags Strategically

• Research trending and niche hashtags to increase content discoverability.
• Create branded hashtags to encourage user participation and content curation. For example, a bakery might use #BakingLove, #CupcakeCreations, and #YourBakeryName to attract both general and specific audiences.

Optimize for Click-Throughs

• Include compelling CTAs like “Shop Now” or “Get a Quote” and add links to drive traffic to your site.
• Use trackable URLs (via tools like Bitly) to monitor traffic from social campaigns.

Collaborate with Influencers

• Partner with influencers in your niche to expand your reach and credibility. For example, a vegan food brand could collaborate with a popular vegan influencer to create recipes using their products.
• Offer them value such as exclusive access or sponsorship deals.

Host Live Events and Q&A Sessions

• Use features like Instagram Live, LinkedIn Events, or Twitter Spaces to engage with your audience in real time. For example, a beauty brand could host a live skincare Q&A, demonstrating how to use their products.
• Address user questions, share insights, or launch new products.

Analyze and Adapt

• Use analytics tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to measure the performance of your campaigns.
• Identify what resonates most with your audience and replicate successful strategies.

8. Track and Analyze Your SEO Performance

Alright, so you’ve implemented all these SEO best practices. Now what?

It’s time to track your progress and see how you’re doing. This is where monitoring and analyzing your SEO performance comes in.

Track Your Keyword Rankings

One of the most important things to track is your keyword rankings. You want to see how your website is ranking for your target keywords over time.

Are you moving up in search results? Are you showing up on the first page for relevant searches?

There are plenty of tools out there to help you track your rankings like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz. These tools will show you your current rankings, as well as your search volume and competition for each keyword.

Use Google Analytics and Search Console

Another crucial aspect of monitoring your SEO performance is using Google Analytics and Search Console. These free tools from Google give you valuable insights into how people are finding and interacting with your website.

Google Analytics shows you things like how much organic traffic you’re getting, which pages people are landing on, and how long they’re staying on your site.

Google Search Console shows you which queries are bringing people to your site, your average click-through rates, and any crawl errors or security issues.

Use SEO Tools

In addition to the tools I mentioned earlier for tracking keyword rankings, there are plenty of other SEO tools out there that can help you analyze and improve your performance.

Some of my favorites include:

• Screaming Frog for crawling your site and identifying technical SEO issues
• Woorank for generating comprehensive SEO reports and recommendations
• Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test for making sure your site is optimized for mobile devices

The key is to regularly monitor your SEO performance and use the insights you gain to continuously optimize and improve. It’s a continuous process that’s well worth the effort if you want to get your business on top of Google search.

9. Analyze Competitor Strategies to Stay Ahead

Studying your competitors’ strategies can help you identify opportunities and refine your approach. In 2025, advanced tools and techniques make competitor analysis more insightful and actionable than ever.

Why does competitor analysis matter?

• Identify Gaps: Spot weaknesses in your competitors’ strategies and capitalize on them.
• Benchmark Performance: Understand what’s working in your industry and how your efforts measure up.
• Stay Innovative: Learning from competitors can inspire new ideas and prevent your strategies from becoming outdated.

Here’s what you can do to get started:

Identify Your Top Competitors: Use tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or SimilarWeb to find websites competing for your target keywords. For example, if you run a local bakery, identify other bakeries ranking for terms like “fresh bread near me.”

Study Their Content: Analyze the type, quality, and frequency of their content and see which posts drive the most engagement or backlinks. For example, a competitor’s blog post on “5 Tips for Baking Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies” might inspire you to create a video tutorial or infographic on the same topic.

Look at Their SEO Tactics: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to analyze their backlink profiles and keyword rankings. Identify high-performing keywords they’re targeting and consider if they align with your goals. If a competitor ranks for “gluten-free cake recipes,” you could develop a series of gluten-free baking guides to compete.

Find Out What They’re Doing on Social Media: Track their posting frequency, engagement rates, and follower growth and identify which types of posts resonate most with their audience. If a competitor’s Instagram Stories showcasing behind-the-scenes bakery moments get high engagement, consider implementing a similar strategy.

Examine Their Website Performance: Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to assess their site speed and performance and compare user experience features like navigation, design, and mobile-friendliness. If a competitor’s site has an intuitive product filter that you lack, consider adding one to improve your UX.

Read Their Online Reviews: Go to Google, Yelp, or Trustpilot to see what customers are saying about your competitors. Identify pain points in their services that you can address better. For example, if customers complain about a competitor’s slow delivery, emphasize your fast and reliable shipping in your marketing.

Read our comprehensive guide on how to conduct a complete competitor analysis.

SEO is not a one-time thing. It’s an ongoing process that requires continuous monitoring, analysis, and optimization. The more you stay on top of your SEO performance, the better your chances of ranking higher in search results and driving more organic traffic to your site.

— John Mueller (@JohnMu) May 12, 2021

Conclusion

Getting your business to the top of Google search takes time and effort, but it’s worth it.

By optimizing your website, creating high-quality content, building backlinks, and leveraging local SEO, you can outrank your competitors and attract more customers.

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process. Keep refining your strategies, staying up-to-date with the latest trends, and monitoring your progress. With persistence and patience, you’ll see your business climb the search rankings and reap the rewards.