Feeling stuck on page two of search results? You’re not alone. Many website owners and marketers are constantly trying to crack the code to reach those coveted top positions. But don’t worry—this guide is here to walk you through actionable steps to get your site the visibility it deserves.

The Question

Roy from Dinajpur asks:

“My website URL [is] still [in] position No. 15. How can [it] increase to No. 3 or 4?”

This is one of the most common challenges in SEO, and while there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, there are clear steps you can take to improve your chances.

Step 1: Analyse the Current Top 10

Start by studying the pages that are already ranking in the top 10 positions. This analysis will help you identify what these pages are doing well and where opportunities lie. Create a spreadsheet to evaluate:

  • Common features: What topics and points are they consistently covering?
  • Internal links: How many links point to these pages from other areas of the site?
  • Backlink quality: Assess the type and quality of backlinks these pages are getting.
  • On-page SEO: Check for factors like structure, schema markup, and content quality.
  • Content formatting: Are they using tables, bullet points, videos, or infographics to present their content?

By assigning scores to each of these elements, you’ll get a clearer picture of what makes these pages competitive. This gives you a roadmap to make your page even better.

Pro Tip: Better doesn’t always mean more content. It could mean making your content more relevant, concise, or visually appealing.

Step 2: Review Your Own Page

Once you’ve analysed your competitors, turn the spotlight onto your own page. Ask yourself:

  • Does my content address the same topics as the top-ranking pages?
  • Is my page offering something unique or more valuable?
  • Are there sections of my content that aren’t relevant to the query? If yes, remove them.
  • Can I improve the way information is presented (e.g., clearer examples, more visuals)?

Also, think about usability. For example:

  • Would adding bullet points, tables, or a video make the content easier to digest?
  • Are there opportunities to include case studies, infographics, or real-world examples?

Step 3: Optimise Internal Linking

Internal linking can significantly boost your page’s visibility.

  • Identify other pages on your site where this topic, product, or service is mentioned.
  • Add internal links to your target page if it will genuinely benefit the user experience.

Check for conflicting internal links. For example, if you’re linking multiple pages with the same anchor text but different intents, this can confuse search engines.

Step 4: Address Backlinks

Backlinks play a critical role in SEO, especially for competitive queries like “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) topics.

  • Look at the backlinks pointing to your competitors’ pages.
  • Reach out to these sites and propose your resource as an alternative or addition.
  • Build high-quality backlinks through outreach campaigns, but steer clear of spammy tactics like:
    • Mass emailing
    • Paid guest posting
    • Forum and blog comments

Step 5: Conduct a Technical SEO Audit

Don’t underestimate the power of strong technical SEO.

  • Ensure your schema markup is up-to-date. While schema doesn’t directly impact rankings, it can improve click-through rates by enabling rich results.
  • Optimise title tags, meta descriptions, and headings to better align with user intent and target keywords.
  • Confirm that your site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly—especially since mobile traffic dominates in most industries.

Step 6: Look at the Bigger Picture—Your Overall Site Quality

Sometimes, it’s not just about one page—it’s about the overall perception of your site.

  • Does your site have thin content or outdated articles? If yes, delete or update them.
  • Are you relying on AI-generated content? Ensure it’s thoroughly reviewed and edited by humans to add unique value. Recycled or generic AI content can harm your credibility.
  • Are low-quality pages dragging down your high-quality ones? If all else is equal between you and a competitor, site-wide quality can be the deciding factor.

Pro Tip: Avoid using ad networks or third-party content recommendations that link to spammy or irrelevant articles. These can negatively impact the user experience and your site’s trustworthiness.

Step 7: Patience + Core Updates

Even if you’ve done everything right, sometimes you need to wait. Search engines like Google often tweak their algorithms, and sites with high-quality content and experiences can see significant improvements during core updates.

If you’re ranking on page two, it’s a sign that your site has some quality and authority. Fine-tune your content, address gaps, and keep providing value. Over time, these efforts will pay off.

Key Takeaway

There’s no magic formula for jumping from page two to the top positions, but consistent effort in improving your content, user experience, and site-wide quality can make a huge difference. Follow these steps, track your progress, and you’ll be well on your way to climbing the rankings.

Got a specific SEO question? Let us know, and we’ll help you out!