Most people believe SEO is a long-term game that takes months or even years to see results. While that’s true for brand-new websites, what if you already have existing content that just isn’t ranking well? Do you really need to keep publishing new blog posts and hoping for the best?
Not necessarily. The truth is, if your content is ranking between positions 5-15 on Google, you’re much closer to page one than you think. Google already sees these pages as valuable—they just need an extra push. Instead of creating more content, you can optimize and boost what you already have using Google Search Console data and internal linking strategies.In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to do this step-by-step so you can see faster SEO results without waiting months.
SEO Doesn’t Have to Take Months—Here’s What to Do Instead
1: Identify Underperforming Pages in Google Search Console
The first step is to find pages that are already ranking well but not quite in the top three search results. These are the pages Google thinks are relevant and valuable, but they need a little more authority and optimization to climb higher.
How to Find These Pages in Google Search Console:
1. Log in to Google Search Console and go to the “Performance” report.
2. Filter by the last 3 months to get the most recent keyword data.
3. Export the data as a CSV file for easier filtering.
4. Sort the data and focus on pages ranking between positions 5-15.
These pages are your best opportunities because they’re already ranking on page one or two—they just need a small boost to move higher.
Example:
Let’s say you run a fitness blog, and one of your articles on “Best HIIT Workouts” is sitting at position 8 on Google. That means Google sees your page as relevant, but it’s not quite authoritative enough to break into the top three. Instead of writing a new post on the same topic, your goal is to strengthen this existing page.
2: Use Internal Links to Give Your Pages an Immediate Boost
One of the fastest ways to improve your rankings without new content is by building internal links from relevant pages on your website. Internal links pass authority (PageRank) between your pages, helping Google understand which content is most important.
How to Build Internal Links for SEO Growth:
1. Use Google to Find Internal Link Opportunities:
- Search: site:yourdomain.com “topic”
- This will show you all the pages on your site that mention the topic.
2. Add Contextual Internal Links to Your Target Page:
- Find relevant pages and naturally insert links pointing to the page you want to boost.
- Example: If you want to boost your “Best HIIT Workouts” article, find other fitness-related posts that mention HIIT and link to your target page.
3. Use Natural and Varied Anchor Text:
- Avoid keyword stuffing (e.g., using “Best HIIT Workouts” as the anchor every time).
- Instead, use variations like:
- “Check out these high-intensity workouts.”
- “Learn more about fat-burning HIIT routines.”
4. Spread Internal Links Across Your Site:
- Don’t just link from one page—find multiple relevant articles to add links from.
Example:
Imagine you have these three blog posts on your fitness site:
- “How to Burn Fat with Cardio”
- “Beginner’s Guide to Strength Training”
- “The Science of High-Intensity Interval Training”
Each of these articles could include a relevant, natural link to your “Best HIIT Workouts” page, helping it gain authority and move up in rankings.
3: Optimize for Click-Through Rate (CTR) to Get More Traffic
Once you’ve strengthened your page with internal links, the next step is to increase your click-through rate (CTR). A higher CTR tells Google that your page is engaging and relevant, which can lead to better rankings over time.
How to Improve Your CTR:
1. Optimize Your Title Tag
- Use power words and curiosity-driven phrasing.
- Example: Instead of “Best HIIT Workouts”, try “10 Killer HIIT Workouts for Maximum Fat Burn”.
2. Improve Your Meta Description
- Make it compelling and actionable.
- Example: “Looking for fast, effective workouts? Try these 10 HIIT routines to burn fat and build endurance in less time.”
3. Use Numbers, Brackets, or Emojis
- Example: “[UPDATED] Best HIIT Workouts (Burn Fat Fast!)”
4. Test Different Variations
- Update your title and meta description, then track changes in CTR using Google Search Console.
4: Refresh and Expand Your Existing Content
If your page is still stuck in rankings, the next step is to refresh and expand the content. Google rewards fresh, updated content, and sometimes small tweaks can make a big impact.
Ways to Improve Your Existing Content:
Add More Depth: Expand sections with additional insights, expert quotes, or new data.
Improve Readability: Use shorter paragraphs, bullet points, and more visuals.
Answer Additional Questions: Use the “People Also Ask” section in Google to find related topics to cover.
Include More Media: Add images, infographics, or videos to enhance engagement.
5: Earn External Links to Boost Authority
While internal links help within your site, external links (backlinks) from other websites give your page more credibility in Google’s eyes. If you can secure a few quality backlinks, it could be the final push your content needs to break into the top three.
How to Earn Backlinks:
1. Reach Out to Sites That Already Link to Similar Content
- Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to find sites linking to competitors.
- Send them a personalized pitch suggesting your updated, valuable resource.
2. Guest Post on Industry Blogs
- Write valuable content for authoritative sites and link back to your target page.
3. Leverage Existing Mentions
- If someone has mentioned your brand but hasn’t linked to you, reach out and ask for a link.
SEO Doesn’t Have to Take Months!
SEO doesn’t have to be a waiting game. Instead of publishing more content and hoping for results, use Google Search Console and internal linking to strengthen pages that are already ranking between positions 5-15.
By building internal links, improving CTR, refreshing content, and earning backlinks, you can push your content into the top three rankings—often much faster than writing a new article from scratch.
Looking for a Powerful Growth Marketing Strategy for Your SaaS Business?
At SaaSlaunchr, I specialize in creating innovative and results-driven marketing strategies tailored to boost growth for scaling SaaS companies. Let’s collaborate to take your business to the next level! Schedule a call with me today to learn more about how I can support your success.
Curious about the impact we can make? Check out our success story on how we helped a SaaS business significantly increase website traffic by implementing a strategic growth marketing plan. Read the case study here.
Want More Insights?
Stay on top of the latest trends and strategies! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and exclusive content directly in your inbox. Don’t miss out! 👇👇👇
