Cap Puckhaber: How to get your company to show up on Google

 For the last few months, I’ve been working diligently to boost my company, Black Diamond Marketing Solutions, and my personal name, Cap Puckhaber, on Google search rankings. Initially, I thought ranking for my own name would be straightforward—after all, no one else is competing for it, right? But, after several attempts and mistakes, I quickly realized that the process is more complex than it seems. Even with the help of tools like SEMrush, which showed zero competition for my name, my business still struggled to appear in search results. Over time, however, I discovered strategies that proved successful, and I’d like to share what worked for me in the hopes it can help you with your own SEO journey.

At first, I concentrated exclusively on ranking for my business and personal names. But I soon recognized that focusing only on these keywords wasn’t enough. I diversified my approach by incorporating both short-tail and long-tail keywords into my strategy. Short-tail keywords, like “marketing solutions,” are highly competitive, making them difficult to rank for. On the other hand, long-tail keywords, such as “digital marketing agency in [city name],” are more specific and have much less competition. By optimizing for both types of keywords, I was able to improve my rankings across a wider range of search queries. This two-pronged strategy allowed me to target more niche topics while still aiming for broader, higher-volume terms. Over time, this balanced approach significantly boosted my visibility and helped my site rank better.

Another strategy that worked well for me was getting listed on business directories. Directories like Wellfound, DesignRush, DAN, and Clutch provided valuable exposure and allowed me to secure high-quality backlinks. Search engines place significant weight on links from authoritative sites, and having my business listed on reputable directories increased my site's authority. Many potential clients also use these platforms to find service providers, which helped me connect with new opportunities.

One tool I hadn’t initially thought to use was Glassdoor. While Glassdoor is typically used for employee reviews, it also serves as a useful platform for increasing visibility. By creating a profile for my business, I was able to add another authoritative link to my SEO portfolio, ultimately improving my site’s ranking. This tactic not only gave me another outlet for exposure but also gave potential clients insight into the company’s culture and reputation.

Setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile proved to be an essential step in my SEO efforts. GMB not only boosts local SEO but also allows my company to appear in local search results and on Google Maps. Ensuring that my profile was fully filled out with accurate contact information and up-to-date images significantly improved my local visibility and search ranking.

Customer reviews are another important factor that influenced my rankings. Platforms like Trustpilot, where users leave reviews about their experiences, helped build trust and credibility for my business. Positive reviews not only helped improve my brand’s reputation but also enhanced my SEO performance. Search engines take reviews into account when determining rankings, so leveraging social proof through reviews was a powerful strategy.

Building backlinks is one of the most crucial tactics for improving SEO, and iCopify was a key platform that helped me with this. By acquiring backlinks from respected sites within the marketing industry, I was able to boost my site's domain authority. Backlinks from authoritative sources play a significant role in improving a site’s search engine rankings.

Maintaining a strong social media presence was also vital for driving organic traffic to my website. I made sure to establish profiles for my business across major platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Linking these profiles to my website helped me create a network of inbound links, boosting my site’s visibility and driving more traffic. Engaging with users on social media also raised awareness about my brand, which further contributed to the SEO process.

An often-overlooked strategy that worked for me was blogging on external platforms like Medium and Blogspot. These sites have high domain authority, and by publishing articles on them, I was able to generate backlinks to my site, which helped increase its search engine ranking. Medium and Blogspot also have built-in audiences, so my content reached people outside of my immediate network, driving more organic traffic to my website.

Improving your Google ranking requires more than just adding keywords to your site. It’s about taking a comprehensive approach—leveraging directories, review sites, backlinks, social media, and external blogging platforms to create a network of high-quality signals for search engines. Though it takes time and patience, persistence is key, and by continuing to refine and evolve your strategy, you’ll eventually see positive results. If you’re struggling with SEO, don’t give up—keep experimenting and refining, and success will follow.