How to rank my website on Google for free?

How to rank my website on Google Free Definitive Guide

Step 1. Check if your website is indexing correctly

Many times, when we build a website in wordpress or when it is delivered to us by the company of web designthe option of "do not index". is checked. If this option is checked, Google will not index your website in the search results. Therefore, the first step should be to check this point. Sometimes web designers, while making final adjustments after migration, activate this option to avoid indexing test or irrelevant pages.

To find this option you have to go to your wordpress/administration panel/settings/settings/reading/discouraging search engines from indexing my website. The latter option should not be ticked.

On the other hand, if you are in the process of building your websitewe recommend you to check this option. It is recommended to avoid indexing test pages, Lorem Ipsum content, unfinished or test content that will affect SEO negatively in the first weeks of launch. Also, remember to uncheck it when your website is ready to be launched.

Step 2: Install the Yoast SEO Plugin and configure it

The Yoast SEO is an SEO assistant plugin. Yoast has a free version (sufficient) with a paid or premium upgrade, which is not necessary at the moment.

Through the Yoast SEOyou will be able to configure the file Robots.txt and the SiteMap XML o site map. Both files are critical for the correct indexing of your website in search results. It is important, once you have optimised your website for onpage SEO, that it is correctly classified and interpreted by Google.

Based on how we have defined robots.txt, the search engine bot will follow your instructions on how to read and index your web content. If you have not set up a robots.txtGoogle will access your website without any preconceived indications.

It will read and index URLs that it probably shouldn't and therefore affect your rankings by including content that is not SEO optimised. The so-called thin content or irrelevant content. For example, with this file you can easily indicate pages such as "privacy policy", "legal notice" or "cookie policy" with the tag "noindex".

It is not mandatory to set up your robots.txt file, but it is advisable to create and optimise it for the SEO optimisation process. of your website. Now that we know the Robots.txt let's see how to create it with the Yoast SEO. Go to the wordpress admin panel/Yoast SEO/Tools/File Editor.

Once you press the file editor, the first thing that will open is the box where you must configure the file. Robots.txt. Although, we recommend that the first thing you should indicate in the file is the sitemap path as you can see in the image.

Here we will explain what a sitemap is and how to create one with Free Yoast SEO. This plugin allows you to develop your Robots.txt or you can make a more complete one yourself.

What is SiteMap?

The sitemapis made up of a list of URLs that you want to be indexed by Google and other search engines. It is an index for search robots to read as a guide to what content to index in search results (SERPs).

With the help of the Sitemap we give information to search engines about how our website should be ranked. Also, once we have updated content or structure, Google can be instructed to "read" the sitemap again to index the updates made. The sitemap is used to assign priority to each page in front of the search engine.

The most important internet search engines (Google, Yahoo and Bing) allow the standard format of XML Sitemap. It is also acceptable to make a sitemap in HTML or to include RSS feeds. With the wordpress Yoast SEO you can set up the Sitemap automatically.

What is Google Search Console for?

Once you develop the file Robots.txt, Sitemapyou have installed and configured the Yoast SEO in your wordpress. The next step is to open an account in Google Search Console and validate your website in the option add property. The best way to index your website and above all to keep the urls up to date with the search engines, is to open an account at Google Search Console and update your sitemap. Likewise, you can do it on Bing which has a centre for Bing Webmasters Tools.

If you nevertheless have problems with the indexing of a url, you can manually enter it in "url inspection" of Google Search Console so that you can read it again individually. Also, inserting the url in a tweed makes it easier to index it. Google preferentially indexes urls from the current old Twitter "X".

Internal linking between the pages of the same website facilitates the indexing of these pages. However, developing a good sitemap is the key to position your website on Google for free. All these tactics that we are teaching you, cost time but not money because you can do them yourself.

You must add your website or domain to the option on the left to check that you are the owner. However, below you will find a video tutorial of the best way to do this. wordpress web server SERED which explains step by step how to verify your domain in this Google tool:

Tutorial to verify your domain in Google Search Console

How to submit the Sitemap via Google Search Console?

Submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console is one of the most important tasks to ensure that Google can crawl and index your pages correctly. This process allows Google to understand the structure of your site and prioritise the indexing of your content.

Here is a detailed step-by-step:

The sitemap is usually located at a standard URL on your domain. Some common examples are:

• https://www.tusitio.com/sitemap.xml
• https://www.tusitio.com/sitemap_index.xml

If you use a CMS like WordPress, you can automatically generate the sitemap with tools like:

• Yoast SEO: Generates a sitemap accessible in /sitemap_index.xml.
• Rank Math: Offers advanced customised sitemaps.
• Third party pluginsIf you don't have an SEO plugin, you can use specific extensions to create your sitemap.

For online shops or complex sites, check that the sitemap includes:

• Main pages.
• Categories.
• Products or services.
• Blog entries (if applicable)

Submit the Sitemap to Google Search Console

1. Enter the sitemap URL in the text field under "Add a new Sitemap".
2. Click on "Send".Google will process the URL and start crawling the pages listed in the Sitemap.

Check Sitemap Status

1. After submitting the Sitemap, it will be listed with its processing status.
2. You can check:
   • StateIf it was processed correctly or if there were errors.
   • Last readingThe date Google last accessed the Sitemap.
   • ErrorsIf the Sitemap has inaccessible or incorrect URLs, Google will notify you here.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Error "Sitemap not found".:
  • Make sure the URL is correct.
  • Verify that the sitemap is publicly accessible.
• URLs not indexed:
  • Some pages may be excluded if Google considers them to be of low quality or duplicated.
  • Check your file robots.txt to make sure it is not blocking access to the sitemap or key sections.
• Incorrect format:
  • Make sure the file is in XML format and follows Google's standards. Validate your sitemap with tools such as XML Sitemap Validator.

Monitoring and Maintenance

• Automatic updatesIf your Sitemap is generated dynamically (as with SEO plugins), Google will automatically crawl the changes.
• Periodic review: It is advisable to regularly review your Sitemap to ensure that it still reflects the current site structure.
• Sitemap resubmissionIf you make major changes to your site (new architecture, deletion of pages), resubmit the Sitemap.

Submitting a sitemap through Google Search Console is an essential step in optimising the crawling and indexing of your website. Not only does it help Google better understand your content, but it also improves the efficiency with which your pages are indexed. With proper management of your sitemap, you can ensure that every relevant part of your site has a chance to rank in search results.

How to submit the Robots.txt file to Google?

The archive robots.txt is essential for telling search engines which parts of your website to crawl or not to crawl. Although Google does not offer a tool to submit the file directly, you can check its functionality and make sure it is set up correctly by following these steps:

1. Check your Robots.txt file in Google Search Console

At Google Search Console you cannot send the file directly, but you can test it and make sure that Google interprets it correctly.

1. Log in to Google Search Console: Go to your domain property.
2. Open the URL Inspection tool: In the left side menu, select the option "Configuration" and then "robots.txt file" (if available in your region).
3. Test it with the "robots.txt tester" tool (if enabled):
   • Copy the contents of your file robots.txt.
   • Paste it in the available box.
   • Click on "Test". to verify that there are no errors in the guidelines.

2. Check the Robots.txt file in Google Search Console

In Google Search Console you cannot submit the file directly, but you can test it and make sure that Google interprets it correctly.

1. Log in to Google Search Console: Go to your domain property.
2. Open the URL Inspection tool: In the left side menu, select the option "Configuration" and then "robots.txt file" (if available in your region).
3. Test it with the "robots.txt tester" tool (if enabled):
   • Copy the contents of your file robots.txt.
   • Paste it in the available box.
   • Click on "Test". to verify that there are no errors in the guidelines.

3. Troubleshooting

• Common mistakes:
  • Accidental blocking of the entire site with Disallow: /.
  • Inclusion of incorrect or badly structured URLs.
• Continuous review: Changes to the content or structure of your site may require adjustments to the file. robots.txt.

4. Crawling the Archive by Google

Google automatically crawls the file robots.txt at regular intervals. You do not need to send it manually, but you can speed up this process:

• Go to Google Search Console > URL inspection.
• Enter https://www.tusitio.com/robots.txt.
• Request indexing to ensure that Google updates the version of the file.

Although it is no longer possible to send the file robots.txt directly to Google as in previous versions of Google Webmaster Tools, you can ensure that it is correctly configured and functional by using the inspection and testing tools available in Google Search Console.

Maintaining an archive robots.txt optimised is essential to guide search engines and protect sensitive areas of your website.

Google Ads Keyword Planner: Optimise your SEO Strategy

Once you have completed the initial steps to correctly index your website. In addition to establishing a solid foundation for positioning in Google search results. The next step is to develop SEO content optimised. This is where the Google Ads Keyword Planner plays a crucial role.

Why use the Planner? Key words?

This free Google tool is essential for discovering the most relevant keywords for your business, allowing you to:

• Identify high-impact opportunities: Find terms that your target audience is actively searching for.
• Analyse search volume: Understand how many people search for certain keywords per month.
• Assessing competence: Find out which keywords are easier or harder to rank for.
• Optimise your content: Use these keywords strategically in your titles, descriptions and texts.

How to use the Keyword Planner

1. Access the tool:
   • Log in to your Google Ads account.
   • Go to the tools menu and select Keyword Planner.
2. Explore new keywords:
   • Enter terms related to your business or content.
   • The tool will generate suggestions based on your initial query.
3. Filter the results:
   • Adjust location, language and other parameters to get specific data on your target audience.
4. Select relevant keywords:
   • Choose those with a good balance between search volume and competition.
   • Consider long-tail keywords, which tend to have less competition and a more targeted audience.
5. Plan your strategy:
   • Organise keywords into thematic groups.
   • Use this information to structure your web content, such as blog articles, product pages or landing pages.

SEO strategy at no additional cost

Everything we have done so far to position your website in Google has been completely free of charge. From the configuration in Google Search Console and the use of tools such as Google AnalyticsFrom the research with the Keyword Planner, these are critical tools for the success of your search engine optimisation strategy.

Why is this important?

• Accessibility: These tools are free of charge, which makes them perfect for small businesses or early stage projects.
• Impact: They can make a difference in optimising your content and improving your visibility on Google.

Next Step: SEO Content Development

With your keywords selected, it's time to create optimised content. Focus on:

• Highlight relevant issues: Based on the searches of your target audience.
• Use keywords strategically: Include them in titles, subtitles, and text, but always in a natural way.
• Optimise metatags: Such as the SEO title and meta description, to increase the CTR in search results.

The Google Ads Keyword Planner is an essential, free tool that will help you develop a solid content strategy for your website. With this foundation, you'll be able to rank your site more effectively, attract qualified traffic and achieve your SEO goals at no extra cost - start planning your keywords today and take your website to the next level!

Position my website on Google for free

Now is the time to start developing quality content. Each URL should aim to position a keyword. To do this, the tool mentioned above Google keyword planner provides us with an excellent tool for free. With it you can make studies of search volume for certain keywords to develop your content, H1, H2, H3 titles.

The creation of quality content, well written, using related semantics, videos if necessary, correct organisation of H2, H3 and H4, as well as the optimisation of images. This represents one of the most important keys or pillars of the SEO positioning.

Writing or developing content, if you do it yourself, is also free and essential for you to rank in Google. However, it is not an easy task and it represents a whole professional branch of SEO.

In another article, we will not expand on content creation. So far, everything you needed to know about how to position my website on Google for free.