Did you know that in 2012, Google received over a trillion search queries? Think of what ranking high in search results could do for your website over the course of a week with these numbers, let alone an entire year.

Think search is irrelevant to your local business? Think again. Research shows that 89% of consumers now do online research before buying new products. Big companies and small companies alike benefit from SEO, or search engine optimization. Want to rank higher? Here are three ways that businesses saw improved search engine ranking for their keywords over the last six months.

1. Better Web Design

There is more competition at every step of the game, so having a well designed website should be a given. Affordable web design companies are out there, and can deliver you a website that has the layout, navigability, and speed you need. When it comes to speed, did you know that, according to reputable search engine optimization companies, the Google rank algorithm actually takes into account how quickly your pages load? Users like quickly displaying sites, and Google rewards these sites above slower, clogged up competitors.

2. Professional Link Building

You might think you have a secret strategy by submitting your link to random websites, but successful websites that rank high do not take part in these beginner tactics. Instead, they hire SEO marketing agencies that generate professional, engaging content that gets posted to relevant sites and links back to the client company website. Post links the cheap way and their importance to Google rankings will be fleeting, rather than lasting.

SEO that Concentrates on Industry, not Products

Do you want the success that the top ranking sites have? Then you need to start listening to what search engine internet marketing experts have to say about the type of content you should invest in. Many businesses are married to the idea that their SEO content should promote their business. Try and remember that, at the end of the day, SEO is about generating clicks and ranking, not necessarily sales. That is what ads are for. Ads for your company generate less clicks, since people are more likely to look up Five Tips on Finding a Great Hose than they are, Thompson Heavy Duty Hose on Sale.

Have you improved search engine rankings for your website keywords? Let us know how you did it in the comments!