I recently decided to get into private practice by opening up my technical blog on WordPress.
It's been an exciting journey of challenges, lessons, highs and lows!
However, I've got some exciting news to share!
The Handy Developers' Guide just hit the #1 spot on Google's Search Engine Results Page (SERP)! Yep, you read that right – in just 30 days. I'm still pinching myself!
Now, I know what you're thinking: "How on earth did you manage that? Especially as the only staff so far.
I have worked solo and tirelessly on THDG as the website developer and designer, chief editor, technical writer, marketing manager, and SEO specialist. It's been one hell of a ride!
The Birth of The Handy Developers Guide
First, a bit of context. The Handy Developers Guide was born out of my passion for making complex tech concepts accessible to everyone. I wanted to create a space where both newbies and seasoned pros could find value. Little did I know that this passion project would skyrocket to the top of Google's rankings in such a short time!
I also created THDG with the hope of helping developers say goodbye to lengthy videos and hello to straightforward guidance that fits their busy lifestyles.
How I Took My Blog To #1 On Google
- Producing Quality Content is King (and Queen)
- Consistency is Key
- Keyword Research
- On-Page SEO
- User Experience
- Engagement: Building a Community
- Backlinks: Quality Over Quantity
As you can see, I even rank higher than the actual Hacktoberfest website.
So, how did I do it? I'd be entirely honest, there was no secret or hidden SEO all-in-one strategy that I used. It was a combination of strategies, hard work, and maybe a sprinkle of luck. Here's the breakdown:
1. Producing Quality Content is King (and Queen)
From day one, my focus on THDG was on creating top-notch, valuable content. Straightforward useful information that our readers could apply immediately. In as much as I applied the use of generative AI frequently in content production, there was a uniqueness to the topics and perspective that I gave it.
I also believe that the presentation of information matters just as much as the information itself. It wasn't enough to just gather together the content and publish; presenting the content in the best visually and semantically appealing way was and is a top priority for me.
2. Consistency is Key
I committed to a regular posting schedule – three articles a week, come rain or shine for the first two weeks. This consistency helped build trust with my readers and signaled to search engines that I am actively updating our site.
3. Keyword Research
Before writing each article, I spent hours with keyword research, developing a keyword strategy. I used tools like Bing's Webmaster Tool and SEMrush, e.t.c to identify low-competition, high-volume keywords in the developer space. This helped me target topics that people were actually searching for.
4. On-Page SEO
I paid extra attention to on-page SEO elements like meta descriptions, title tags, header structure, and internal linking. These might seem like small details, but they add up to make a big difference in how search engines view your content.
5. User Experience
As I said earlier, presentation matters a lot to me. I might not be the best at UI/Ux, but as much as it was up to me, I made sure to make THDG's content accessible, easy to read, and easy to navigate.
I obsessed over making THDG fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Google loves sites that users love, so I made sure The Handy Developers Guide was a joy to use on any device.
6. Engagement: Building a Community
I didn't end at just publishing and forgetting. I actively engaged with readers through comments, social media, and even a weekly LinkedIn article. This helped build a loyal community and increased the time users spent on our site – another positive signal to search engines.
7. Backlinks: Quality Over Quantity
Instead of chasing hundreds of low-quality backlinks, I focused on getting a few high-quality ones. I reached out to respected tech blogs and offered to write guest posts, participated in developer forums, and even did a few podcast interviews.
The Results: From Zero to Hero
The first two weeks were agonizingly slow. I was publishing great content, but the traffic was not matching up.
Then, suddenly, things started to pick up. By week three, I noticed a significant jump in my organic traffic. And then, at the 30-day mark, I received a notification from Google's Search Console and... boom! There we were, sitting pretty at the top spot for our main target keywords.
What's Next?
Hitting #1 on Google is amazing, but it's just the beginning. I'm not resting on my laurels. I'm doubling down on what worked, experimenting with new content formats, and always looking for ways to provide even more value to the readers.
My plan for THDG is to make it a developer hub for developers of all levels to breeze in and find what they need without the strain or stress of going through long hours of video content.
The Takeaway
If there's one thing I want you to take away from this, it's this: overnight success usually isn't overnight. It's the result of consistent effort, strategic planning, and a genuine desire to provide value to your audience. Whether you're a blogger, a developer, or both, focus on creating something truly useful, and the results will follow.
Got any questions about our journey or SEO tips to share? Drop them in the comments below.
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Top comments (3)
Oh yes! I first came across it when you shared it on LinkedIn. Super detailed and definitely recommend reading those. Great work 🥳
Thank you!
Awesome work and post! 🎉