When it comes to organic search rankings, there’s a significant difference in the traffic your website receives based on where you rank. While ranking on the first page of Google is great, being in the top 3 search positions is where the magic truly happens. If you’re sitting in positions 4-15, you have a golden opportunity to drive significantly more organic traffic to your site by improving those rankings into the coveted top 3 spots.
Why Top 3 Positions Matter
Let’s break down the percentage of organic traffic that websites receive based on their ranking position on search engines:
- Position 1: 30% of total search traffic
- Position 2: 22%
- Position 3: 15%
- Position 4: 10%
- Position 5: 7%
- Position 6: 5%
- Position 7: 3%
- Position 8: 2%
- Position 9: 1.5%
- Position 10: 1%
As you can see, the amount of traffic drops considerably after position 3, with positions 4-15 generating far less visibility. By focusing on improving these “almost there” rankings, you can unlock a substantial boost in traffic without starting from scratch with new keywords.
Why Focus on Keywords Ranking 4-15?
Here’s the good news: keywords already ranking in positions 4-15 have potential. Unlike starting with brand-new keywords, improving these existing rankings can often yield quicker and easier results. Your site is already being recognized for these terms, which means Google sees you as somewhat relevant for those keywords. Moving them to the top 3 often requires less effort than trying to rank for entirely new terms.
For example, if you currently have several keywords ranking at positions 4-15, moving them to position 1 could add CAD 751 per month in free organic traffic value. That’s an opportunity you can’t afford to ignore.
Steps to Improve Your Keyword Rankings from 4-15 to the Top 3
1. Conduct a Ranking Audit
Start by identifying the keywords currently sitting in positions 4-15. Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to analyze your organic keyword rankings. Focus on terms that are:
- Relevant to your business
- Already driving some traffic
- Valuable in terms of search volume and intent
2. Optimize Your Content
Analyze the content that is ranking for these keywords and optimize it further to push it higher. Here’s how to do it:
- Update Content: Add more in-depth, high-quality information that aligns with search intent.
- Improve Keyword Placement: Ensure the target keyword is naturally included in key areas such as the title, headings, first 100 words, meta description, and alt tags.
- Answer Searcher Questions: Include FAQ sections, examples, and solutions that directly address what users are searching for.
- Add Internal Links: Link to the page from other relevant pages on your site using the target keyword as anchor text.
3. Enhance Page Experience
Google’s algorithms favor websites that offer a great user experience. To improve rankings, optimize for:
- Page Speed: Ensure your pages load quickly (less than 2-3 seconds).
- Mobile-Friendliness: Make sure your site is responsive and easy to navigate on all devices.
- Clear Structure: Use headings, subheadings, bullet points, and visuals to make content easy to read and navigate.
4. Build High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are one of the most influential ranking factors. Secure high-quality links to the pages ranking in positions 4-15 by:
- Creating Linkable Content: Publish infographics, case studies, or expert guides.
- Outreach: Reach out to websites in your niche and request links to your content.
- Leverage Internal Links: Use internal links to pass link equity to the target pages.
5. Analyze Competitors
Study the websites currently ranking in the top 3 for your target keywords. Look for:
- The type of content they publish (guides, lists, videos)
- The depth and detail of their content
- Their backlink profiles
- User engagement metrics like bounce rate and time on page
Use this data to identify gaps and create superior content.
6. Focus on Click-Through Rates (CTR)
Even if your page ranks well, a low CTR can hurt its chances of climbing higher. Improve CTR by:
- Writing Engaging Titles: Include numbers, power words, or emotional triggers to make your headlines compelling.
- Optimizing Meta Descriptions: Write concise, benefit-driven descriptions that include the target keyword and a call to action.
- Adding Rich Snippets: Use schema markup to enhance your listing with reviews, FAQs, or product information.
7. Stay Consistent
SEO is not a one-time effort. Regularly monitor your rankings and make ongoing updates to maintain and improve your positions.
How GraphixFlo Can Help
At GraphixFlo, we specialize in helping businesses like yours improve their organic rankings and drive more traffic. Our team uses advanced SEO strategies to identify high-potential keywords, optimize your website, and build authority for your brand. Here’s what we offer:
- Keyword Analysis: We pinpoint the keywords that are just outside the top 3 and create a strategy to elevate them.
- Content Optimization: Our expert team ensures your content is perfectly aligned with searcher intent.
- Backlink Building: We focus on securing high-quality backlinks to boost your authority.
- Competitor Analysis: We analyze your competitors and craft a plan to outperform them in search rankings.
- Ongoing Support: SEO is a long-term investment, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Focusing on keywords ranking 4-15 and moving them to the top 3 positions is one of the smartest ways to increase your organic traffic quickly. By optimizing your existing content, improving page experience, and building authority, you can achieve significant results without the need to start from scratch.
