SEO for Beginners: How to Rank Your Website on Google Fast

Why Ranking on Google Matters

When people need something — whether it's a product, service, or information — they Google it. If your website isn't showing up on the first page, you're missing out on thousands of potential monthly visitors.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the key to ranking higher on Google, getting more traffic, and turning that traffic into customers.

But here’s the truth: SEO doesn’t have to take years. If you focus on the right strategies, you can start ranking faster than you think — even if you’re a complete beginner.

In this guide, I’ll break down how to rank your website on Google fast, step by step, without complicated jargon or outdated tactics.

Step 1: Find the Right Keywords (What People Are Actually Searching For)

Before you do anything else, you need to know what people are searching for. These are your keywords, and they’re the foundation of your SEO strategy.

If you target the wrong keywords, you’ll either rank for things no one is searching for or compete against websites that are impossible to outrank.

How to Find the Right Keywords

Finding the right keywords is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. The goal is to identify search terms your target audience is already using while avoiding overly competitive keywords that are impossible to rank for.

Use Google’s "People Also Ask" and "Related Searches" Features

One of the easiest ways to discover keyword ideas is by using Google itself. When you enter a search query, scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section. These are real questions that people are actively searching for, making them perfect keyword opportunities. 

Click on one of the questions, and Google will generate even more related questions — expanding your list of keyword ideas.

Further down the search results, you’ll find “Related Searches”, which suggests additional variations of your keyword. These terms are directly based on what users search for, meaning they’re highly relevant.

Use Keyword Research Tools to Analyze Search Volume & Competition

Google’s built-in suggestions are a great start, but to truly understand the ranking potential of a keyword, you’ll need a dedicated keyword research tool. 

Free options like Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner, and AnswerThePublic provide search volume, keyword difficulty, and competition level — helping you pick keywords that are easier to rank for.

Look for keywords that have moderate to high search volume but low to medium competition. These are the sweet spots where you can rank faster and drive significant traffic.

What Makes a Keyword "Good" for Fast Ranking?

• Low competition – Avoid keywords dominated by big brands.

• High intent – If someone searches for “best laptops under $1000,” they’re ready to buy.

• Long-tail keywords – “How to lose weight fast without exercise” is easier to rank for than just “weight loss.”

Once you’ve found the right keywords, it’s time to optimize your website.

Step 2: Optimize Your Website for SEO (On-Page Optimization)

Google needs to understand what your page is about. That’s why you need to optimize your content and structure to make it SEO-friendly.

The Essentials of On-Page SEO:

1. Use Your Keyword in the Title – Your page’s title tag is one of the most important ranking factors. It should be compelling, clear, and contain your target keyword. Example:

   • ✅ Best Running Shoes for Beginners (2024 Guide)

   • ❌ Check Out These Amazing Shoes! (Too vague, not optimized)

2. Write a Strong Meta Description – This is the short text that appears under your title on Google. Make it descriptive and click-worthy to attract users.
   
   

3. Use Keywords Naturally in Your Content – Sprinkle your keyword in the first 100 words, in headings, and throughout the article — but don’t overdo it. Google hates “keyword stuffing.”
   
   

4. Optimize Your URLs – Keep them short, readable, and include your keyword. Example:
   
   

   • ✅ yourwebsite.com/best-running-shoes

   • ❌ yourwebsite.com/p=12345 (bad for SEO)

5. Add Internal Links – Link to other relevant pages on your site to help Google understand your content structure and keep visitors on your site longer.
   
   

6. Use Images & Alt Text – Google can't "see" images, so use alt text to describe them with keywords. This also improves accessibility for visually impaired users.

With your website optimized, it’s time to build authority and get backlinks — which is crucial for fast rankings.

Step 3: Get High-Quality Backlinks (The Fastest Way to Rank Higher)

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours, and they act like votes of confidence in Google’s eyes. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the faster you’ll rank.

How to Get Backlinks Fast

1. Guest Posting – Write a valuable article for another website in your industry and include a link back to your site.

2. Find Broken Links on Other Websites – Use a tool like Check My Links (a Chrome extension) to find broken links on websites. Reach out to the site owner and suggest your content as a replacement.

3. Get Links from Business Directories – Submit your website to Google My Business, Yelp, and industry-specific directories for easy backlinks.

The quality of backlinks matters more than quantity. A single link from a high-authority site (like Forbes or HubSpot) is worth more than 100 links from low-quality sites.

Step 4: Improve Website Speed & Mobile Experience

Google ranks fast-loading websites higher because users hate slow sites. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, visitors leave—and Google notices.

How to Make Your Website Faster:

1. Use a Fast Hosting Provider – A slow server = slow site. Choose a reliable hosting company.

2. Optimize Images – Compress images using free tools like TinyPNG to reduce load times.

3. Minimize Unnecessary Plugins & Scripts – Too many plugins slow down your site. Remove anything unnecessary.

Google also prioritizes mobile-friendly websites, so make sure your site is responsive and looks good on all devices.

Step 5: Publish High-Quality Content Regularly

Google loves fresh, valuable content. The more useful your content is, the more likely people are to engage with it, share it, and link to it — all of which help you rank faster.

What Makes Content "Good" for SEO?

• Solves a problem or answers a question – The best content helps the reader.

• Longer is (usually) better – Blog posts over 1,500 words tend to rank higher.

• Easy to read – Use headings, short paragraphs, and visuals to improve readability.

• Up-to-date – Keep content fresh by updating old posts with new information.

For example, a detailed "how-to" guide on a topic will rank much faster than a short, vague article.

Step 6: Track & Improve Your SEO Performance

SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it strategy. You need to track what’s working and improve over time.

Best Free Tools for SEO Tracking:

• Google Search Console – See which keywords are bringing traffic to your site.

• Google Analytics – Track visitor behavior and see which pages perform best.

• Ubersuggest or Ahrefs Free Tool – Check keyword rankings and backlink growth.

By consistently analyzing your results and making improvements, you’ll continue climbing Google’s rankings—faster than competitors who set and forget.

SEO Doesn’t Have to Take Forever

Ranking on Google fast is possible when you focus on the right strategies — choosing smart keywords, optimizing your website, building backlinks, improving speed, and creating valuable content.

It’s not about gaming the system — it’s about making your website the best possible resource for your audience. When you do that, Google rewards you with higher rankings, more traffic, and ultimately, more sales.

If you want to stop guessing and start ranking, now’s the time to take action. 

We helped a med spa completely transform their SEO strategy, leading to a 6,797% increase in search impressions and 646% more clicks in just 203 days. 

By strategically choosing keywords with high intent and low competition, they outranked competitors and dominated their local search results. Read the full case study here.