Every entrepreneur’s dream is for their company to appear on the first page of Google when a potential customer searches for their product or service. But the world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) often seems daunting and overly technical.

The good news? The basics of successful SEO are not complicated. They are more about common sense, strategy, and providing real value to visitors, rather than secret technical tricks. In this guide, we present in 5+1 practical steps how you can build your website’s Google ranking.

Step 0: The Basics – A Flawless Website

Before spending a single cent on advertising or SEO, the foundations must be in order. In 2025, Google rewards two things above all else: speed and mobile-friendly display. If your site is slow or hard to use on mobile, you’ve lost the battle before it even started.

Pro Tip: Choose modern static site generator technology like Astro, which guarantees lightning-fast loading and a perfect mobile experience, giving you an immediate advantage over competitors.

Step 1: Finding the “Money-Making” Keywords

Think with your customer’s head! What problem are they looking for a solution to when they type something into Google? Don’t just target the most general words (e.g., “hairdresser”), but also the more specific, so-called “long-tail” keywords.

  • General: “web development” (huge competition)
  • Specific: “website creation for small businesses in London” (concrete intent, lower competition)

Use free tools (e.g., Google Keyword Planner, answerthepublic.com) for brainstorming. The goal is a list that covers your customers’ most common questions and problems.

Step 2: Creating Value at the Highest Level

Google’s only goal is to provide the best, most relevant answer to the user’s question. Your task is to ensure that answer is on your website.

Write blog posts, case studies, or guides that actually help. Don’t just advertise your services; educate the market. If you’re an architect, write about how to choose the right lot. If you’re a marketer, write about the latest trends. Helpful, informative content builds trust and attracts visitors.

Step 3: Technical SEO – The Invisible Engine

This is the part where a good developer is worth their weight in gold. The most important technical elements that must be in order:

  • Meta Titles and Descriptions: Every subpage should have a unique, attention-grabbing title and description.
  • URL Structure: URLs should be short and descriptive (e.g., /services/seo-consulting).
  • Internal Links: Link relevant content together within the site to help Google and users in navigation.

Step 4: Google Business Profile – The Local Superpower

If your business operates in a specific geographic location, creating and optimizing a Google Business Profile is the fastest way to appear in local searches and on the map. Fill it out thoroughly, ask for reviews from your customers, and upload images regularly.

In Google’s eyes, every link pointing to your site is a kind of recommendation. The more links you get from more credible sites, the higher it will rank your site as well. Look for opportunities to write guest articles on professional blogs, register in relevant online directories, or collaborate with other non-competing local businesses.

SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. However, by consistently applying the above steps, you can build a strong online presence that continuously brings in new customers in the long run.

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Árpád Bretz

About the Author

Founder and lead developer of Prometheus Digital. I believe web development is not just about coding, but about creating value.