Stop Asking Why Your Site Isn’t Ranking—Here’s the Real Reason
New York, NY – You’ve built a great website, you’ve got fantastic products or services, but you’re stuck on page two of Google. You’ve probably asked yourself, “Why isn’t my website showing up?”
While many factors influence search rankings, the answer often lies in the fundamentals—the very things you can control on your own website. We call it on-page SEO, and it’s the foundation of everything we do. It’s not just about what you say, but how you structure it.
The Big Three of On-Page SEO
To get your site to its primary position, you need to nail the trifecta of on-page elements: the page title, the H1, and the URL slug. They might seem simple, but when done right, they tell search engines exactly what your content is about.
1. The Page Title: Your First Impression
Think of your page title as your ad in the search results. It’s the clickable blue link that appears on Google. This is your chance to make a powerful first impression and convince a searcher to choose your site over a competitor’s.
It needs to be compelling and concise, but most importantly, it needs to include your main keyword. A strong title tag doesn’t just help you rank higher; it’s a direct invitation to click.
2. The H1: The On-Page Headline
The H1 (or Heading 1) is the main headline on your actual web page. While your page title is for Google, your H1 is for the visitor who lands on your site. Its job is to confirm they are in the right place and clearly state the page’s topic.
While your H1 and page title should be related and share keywords, they don’t have to be identical. The H1 is your chance to grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to keep scrolling.
3. The Slug: A Clean, Keyword-Rich URL
The slug is the part of the URL that describes the content of the page—for example, yourwebsite.com/blog/on-page-seo-basics. A well-crafted slug is a clean, readable version of your page title.
Why is this so important? A keyword-rich slug helps both users and search engines understand what the page is about before they even click. It makes the link more trustworthy and can even show up directly in search results. Always use hyphens to separate words and keep it short and relevant.
What is an SEO Page Title?
An SEO Page Title is the HTML code for the document title and a principle component of how SEO works.
Putting It All Together
These three elements aren’t a checklist; they’re a team. A well-optimized page title grabs attention in the search results, a strong H1 confirms the topic on the page, and a clean URL slug reinforces it all.
By paying close attention to these fundamentals, you’re not just optimizing for Google—you’re building a more organized and user-friendly website. You’re telling both search engines and potential customers, “This is exactly what you’re looking for.”
Ready to finally get your website to its primary position? Get in touch with us to see how our expertise can transform your on-page SEO.
