Your University’s Name on the first page of a Google Search

By:Erica Alarid-Heidel

So just how important is it to be on the first page of someone’s Google search? Statics show that 92 out of 100 people don’t get past the first page of their search. If someone doesn’t find what there looking for on that first page they tend to do another search and change up the wording. So how do you achieve that coveted first page, or even better, the first listing on someone’s search? Here are a few tips to help you. 

          1) First and for most keep your website creditable. You want to keep a high level of quality material on your site; this includes all the little details like spelling and grammar. Remember, it’s your Universities good name on the line; make sure you are proud of what you publish.
         2) People want to see exactly what they are looking for when they read the preview. Google uses a rating system. If you bait and switch people when they click on your page and then immediately leave, it will lower your ratings.
         3) Create original content; Google will doc you for duplicating content over multiple pages. Make it so that when going from page to page on your site people will find new and interesting information on each page.
         4) Use keywords; Make sure you are using the words people would use when they are searching. Location, names, degrees/programs offered are all good keywords and terms to use.
         5) Pick the right Domain name; the best names will have your schools name or acronym in it. There should be no confusion about if you are being direct to the right page or not.
         6) Use descriptions and headers: You can add invisible descriptions with your website code, use this to your advantage by adding keywords to make your page easier to find. Headers are the first things people see when they look at a website. In a Google search, having your keywords in your headers will increase the chances of people clicking on your pages.

        With 32% of clicks on the first website listed in a Google search and only 17% of clicks on the second website listed after, you can see how truly important it is to be on the top. If what you are doing is not working let us help you to achieve that coveted 1st spot.