tips to help get on the front page of Google without shortcuts

You don’t need to buy links, you don’t need AI to write your text, and you most certainly do not need to pay for an SEO agency. 
Here’s a few of the simple ways you can help search engines prioritise your website, content, and business above the rest. 

(1) Relevant & Specific Meta Descriptions
The first thing people read about you in the search result. Limited spacing requires you to convince a reader or customer within 155 characters to come to your domain. Use active language, include relevant keywords and write for humans, the algorithm is based on human behaviour. 

(2) Alt texts on images
Alt texts are gold for SEO. They help both users with low vision and Google understand what an image shows. Write simply, describing the image in ordinary words.

(3)Structure and content
A good website isn’t just pretty. It must have engaging and convincing structure. Always remember to use white / blank space to your advantage, break up the content, and make sure the text actually responds to what people are searching for. Avoid filler, be concrete, be valuable. Never purposefully waste a visitors time. 

(4) Website speed
Everyone hates a slow loading web page. Heavy images, too much text, bad hosting, too many fonts; this costs. Always keep an eye on your page speeds when creating website content; some people could be running low-end equipment to access your website.

(5) content that actually answers questions
It’s not writing for the sake of writing, strive to cover search intent. Choose one topic per post, use keywords but don’t overdo it.