Search engine rankings and changes

When your website hits the first page of Google, you know you will attract more traffic, and more potential customers. In fact, it can feel like your search engine optimisation is complete. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Once you reach the top page, you need to continue moving up the rankings, and sustain your position. Fluctuations and changes in the search engine ranking is common, especially over a period of time. As a result, monitoring your search engine results is a constant process. Here at Pumpkin Web Design, we know how important rankings are for businesses and companies. As a result, we have produced this guide to search engine rankings and changes.

search engine rankings and changes

What is a normal ranking change?

When it comes to your search engine ranking, your position can naturally fluctuate. In these situations it is completely expected:

⦁ if your website is lower down the results page, i.e. ranking 6 or below
⦁ you have been ranking in a lower position for a fairly long period and it only altered by one or two places
⦁ fluctuations when your topic suddenly becomes popular and companies are producing content with similar keywords and themes

When should I be concerned?

Although these fluctuations are totally normal, there are times when you may experience more worrying changes. These can include:

Being knocked off the top spot after three or four months, and being relegated to 6th position or lower.
In this scenario it could be possible that your topic has become popular and more recent results are overtaking yours. You could combat this by editing your original content and adding more up to date information. Alternatively, you could consider including a video or info-graphic, to add more value than your competitors, out ranking them for quality.
However, it could also be the case that Google has updated its ranking algorithm, and your practices are no longer up to standard. As a result, your ranking will change accordingly. This is why you should always stay up to date with Google algorithm changes.
All of your ranking pages drop back to page 3 or 4 of Google.
If this happens it indicates a penalty from Google. But don’t worry, its not the most severe that Google can dish out. It may just be that some of your external links look a little dodgy, i.e. Google thinks you have been buying back-links. Alternatively, you might have some manipulated links in your footer that Google has found and decided to penalize. Remember, Google penalties may not be immediate, it can occur at any time.

In summary

Search engine rankings and changes can occur at any point for a variety of reasons. If your company is up to code and sticking to guidelines in all areas, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. If you want more information, or some professional SEO support, contact us at Pumpkin Web Design today.

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Pumpkin Web Design Ltd is a small and highly results driven digital agency working for like minded clients in Preston, Chorley, Southport, Blackburn, Burnley, Morecambe,Wigan, Manchester, London, Warrington, Blackpool, Lancaster, Leyland, Lytham St Annes, Bolton, Chester and the UK. Our services include web design, SEO, content marketing, video production, brand design and much more.