Cap Puckhaber, Reno, Nevada
For the past three months, I’ve been working tirelessly to get my company, Black Diamond Marketing Solutions, and my personal name, Cap Puckhaber, ranked on Google. You might think that ranking for your own name would be easy—after all, if no one else is trying to rank for it, why should it be a challenge? However, after much trial and error, I’ve learned that ranking is far from straightforward. Despite using tools like SEMrush, which showed that my name had zero competition, I still couldn’t get my business to show up in search results. Here’s what worked for me. I hope it can save you some time in your own SEO journey. Being found on Google has been one of my main challenges, but I remained persistent.
1. The Two-Pronged Approach: Long Tail & Short Tail Keywords
In the beginning, I focused heavily on ranking for my business name and my personal name. However, I quickly learned that was too narrow of a focus. The key was diversifying my approach by targeting both long-tail and short-tail keywords. Short-tail keywords like “marketing solutions” have high competition. On the other hand, long-tail keywords like “digital marketing agency in [city name]” are more specific and less competitive. Initially, searching for my business was akin to being found on a crowded Google landscape, demanding adaptation.
By optimizing for both, I was able to cover a broader spectrum of potential searches. This strategy ultimately helped improve my rankings for more niche queries. Additionally, it allowed me to still aim for higher-volume terms. This balanced strategy increased my visibility over time. Consequently, it improved the overall SEO health of my site.
2. Get Listed on Agency Directories
After a lot of research, I found that listing my company on directories like Wellfound, DesignRush, DAN, and Clutch was a game-changer. These platforms not only gave me exposure but also allowed me to build high-quality backlinks to my site. Search engines favor well-established platforms, and having my business listed on these sites helped increase my site’s authority. Plus, many potential clients use these directories to find agencies. Thus, it was a win-win. Directories also help businesses get found on platforms users often use.
3. Glassdoor: Not Just for Employees
One tactic I hadn’t initially considered was listing my company on Glassdoor. Glassdoor is primarily known for company reviews, but it’s also a great place to get your company in front of search engines and potential employees. By creating a Glassdoor profile for my business, I added another authoritative link to my portfolio. This helped improve the overall SEO performance of my website, contributing to being effectively found on Google.
4. Google My Business (GMB)
Another essential step was setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile. Not only does this help improve local SEO, but it also enables my company to show up on Google Maps and local search results. Ensuring my GMB profile was filled out completely and accurately, with up-to-date contact information and images, significantly boosted my visibility in the local search results. Achieving this ensures people will find my company easily when searching on Google.
5. Trustpilot and Review Sites
Customer reviews play a critical role in building credibility and trust, which search engines like Google take into account when ranking your site. I made sure my business was listed on Trustpilot and other review platforms. Positive reviews not only improved my brand’s reputation but also contributed to higher rankings. Don’t overlook the power of social proof in SEO. It directly impacts how effectively you are found on Google’s radar!
6. Backlinks from iCopify
Building backlinks is one of the most effective ways to improve your SEO. One platform that worked wonders for me was iCopify. By getting backlinks from reputable sites in the marketing niche, I was able to boost my site’s domain authority. The more authoritative the backlink source, the better the SEO impact to ensure visibility on Google.
7. Social Media & LinkedIn Presence
In today’s digital age, having an active presence on social media platforms is almost non-negotiable. I created profiles for my business on major platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. I made sure to link these profiles to my website. This helped build a network of inbound links and increased visibility. Plus, social media engagement helped raise awareness about my business, driving more organic traffic to my website. These strategies contribute significantly to making your business found on Google.
8. Blogging on Medium and Blogspot
A powerful and often underutilized tactic I found was blogging on external platforms like Medium and Blogspot. By publishing articles on these well-established sites, I was able to generate backlinks to my website and boost my content’s reach. These platforms already have high domain authority. This means that posts linked to my site helped me rank higher. Additionally, Medium’s and Blogspot’s built-in audience gave my content exposure beyond my immediate network. This drove even more organic traffic to my business. Blogging externally can help ensure your brand is found easily on Google due to the broad reach of these blogging platforms.
Conclusion
Getting your company found on Google isn’t as simple as adding keywords to your site. It requires a multi-faceted approach. From listing on business directories and review sites to building backlinks and maintaining an active social media presence, the combination of these strategies worked for me. While it took time, persistence, and a willingness to experiment, these tactics helped push my company to the top of search results. If you’re struggling with SEO, don’t give up—continue refining your strategy, and success will follow.