- November 7th 2013
- SEO
You’re not no. 1 – get used to it!
When someone recently said to me “our website is number 1 on Google for accountants in fleet”, I thought to myself “I bet you a pint of T.E.A. you’re not!”.
Google and any self-respecting SEO now talk about average rankings, and with good reason. As searchers, we all get different search results when we search for the same thing. Here are 3 reasons why:
1. Localisation
If you live in Cardiff and search for accountants, you probably want someone local. So Google serves up local accountants. The search result will be very different to someone searching in Fleet. Google will do the same for most local business searches – estate agents, hairdresser’s, dentists plus many more.
2. Personalisation
Google will use what you have previously searched for, to influence what search results you see. So if you regularly visit a website, then search Google for it, then Google detects you like this site and pushes up your search results. This is why so many businesses deceive themselves about what ranking they have. Because they’re always checking Google and visiting their own website!
3. Search Result Variation
Because Google are always changing their algorithm (how they rank websites), rankings will change monthly, weekly, even within the same day.
And that’s why average rankings are a better measure, along with number of unique visitor. You can find the average rankings in Google Webmaster Tools under the Search Traffic menu.
If you want to test your ranking, ask friends and family to check your ranking on their mobile or PC. Especially if they live in a different town to you. You’ll be surprised.
Client testimonials have always been a powerful marketing tool. Next week, we explore how to use them effectively online to get more business.
Now where’s my pint!
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