Popular belief has it that national brands with large websites rank better in Google. According a video posted by Matt Cutts recently, superior quality and better user experience can give smaller websites a greater chance of ranking on Google than bigger ones. In fact, he states that smaller websites have in fact a better edge because of their size and their ability to update their site with fresh content faster.
So lets see how this can play out for small business websites
Focusing on a single niche rather than trying to cover all areas at once may hold the key for smaller websites to outrank their larger competitors.
Lets first debunk a few myths. If you’re one of those people who think that larger brands generally outrank smaller ones on Google, you’re not alone. A September, 2013 survey revealed that a whopping 57% of the 400 respondents said that the size of a website matters. Another 34 percent said size didn’t matter while only 9 percent said that smaller sites have the edge.
Let’s go a little deeper into how Google ranks its search results. The search engine considers content on each individual web page of your site rather than the entire website itself. Google looks to single page content to give users information that is more relevant to their search queries, not the entire site content. Therefore, website size shouldn’t matter. What really matters to Google is better quality content, it is popular and is shared.
Humble beginnings are a stepping stone to success. Even if you’ve started off with a small site, there’s every possibility that you can also make your site larger by providing users with superior and relevant content. Better user experience (bounce rates and time on page) all matter. is a sure shot way to overtake larger competitors.
Your journey to becoming a large website starts with considering your market and niche and the resources you have at your disposal. For example, if you’re on your own, it’s best you start with concentrating on a single niche or even a micro niche (a subject within a subject). Become an expert at that and then move onto to other niches. As you start mastering content one niche at a time, your website will also start to grow in reputation.
In an attempt to grow faster, don’t compromise on content quality. This may hamper user experience and value – two of Google’s most important considerations while ranking pages. Superior content quality is what will give you a dedicated user base and will also help build equity for your website.
Listed below are some useful strategies that small business website owners can implement to ensure their website grows on Google rankings with each passing day.
- Make it a point to be aware of what users are looking for and stay abreast of current affairs in your niche
- Ensure your website is flexible enough to accommodate changes in user needs and preferences
- Stay focused, don’t let your content drift
- Be quick to respond to user comments and queries. This not only shows your dedication but also keeps users active and coming back for more
- Do your research and select appropriate search keywords from your niche
The bottom line is that high quality content, better user experience and value go a long way in helping you outrank larger competitors.
Talk to us today about putting together a content strategy for your website.
