Achieving top rankings on Google requires a multifaceted approach considering various factors, with EAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) playing a pivotal role. This practical guide will outline ten actionable steps for web administrators and SEO experts to help your website reach the top of Google search results while prioritising EAT.
1. Quality Content
Start by creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses the needs and questions of your target audience. Ensure that your content is accurate, up-to-date, and well-researched, demonstrating your expertise in the field.
2. Establish Authorship
Identify and establish authorship for your content by using bylines and author bios. Encourage your content creators to showcase their expertise and credentials, reinforcing the EAT factor.
3. Expertise Demonstration
Showcase your expertise by creating a dedicated “About Us” page outlining your team or organisation’s leadership qualifications, experience, and credentials. Highlight relevant certifications, awards, and accomplishments.
4. Showcase Trust Signals
Boost trustworthiness by prominently displaying trust signals such as customer reviews, testimonials, affiliations with reputable organisations, and privacy policies. Trust is a critical aspect of EAT.
5. Secure Your Website
Invest in SSL certificates to secure your website (HTTPS). A secure website is crucial for user trust and a factor Google considers in its rankings.
6. Mobile Optimization
Ensure your website is mobile-responsive and offers an excellent user experience on smartphones and tablets. Mobile optimization is a crucial consideration for user satisfaction and search engine rankings.
7. Improve Page Load Speed
Optimise your website’s load speed by compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and reducing unnecessary code. Google rewards faster-loading sites with higher rankings.
8. Schema Markup
Implement schema markup to provide structured data that helps search engines better understand your content. This can result in rich snippets in search results, enhancing your visibility.
9. Quality Backlinks
Focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks from reputable websites in your industry or niche. Google sees these as a sign of authority and expertise.
10. Regularly Update and Audit
Stay up-to-date with algorithm changes and continually update your content to maintain accuracy and relevance. Regularly audit your website for broken links, duplicate content, and security vulnerabilities.
Achieving top rankings on Google involves a holistic approach integrating EAT principles into your SEO strategy. By focusing on high-quality content, authorship, expertise, trustworthiness, and technical optimization, you can improve your website’s chances of reaching the top of Google’s search results. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, and staying up-to-date with best practices is key to maintaining your position at the pinnacle of search engine rankings.
