We make websites, and as a result we often get asked "Why isn't my website appearing on the first page of Google?" or "Can you make sure my website ranks well in Google?"

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that.

We came across this video, which helps explain a few things about how Google ranks pages:

There are a few things we found particularly helpful about this video.

"When you do a search for something, you're not actually searching the web, you're searching Google's index of the web"

Basically, this means if your website isn't indexed by Google, it won't show up in Google searches. Ever.

Luckily, the CMS we recommend for all of our clients- Siteflex, routinely keeps Google informed about your site's structure, update frequency as well as any new pages, products or articles that you've recently created. This helps improve your ranking as it lets Google know that your information is up to date and more relevant.
 

"How does Google decide which of these documents I really want?"

Really, Google is trying to determine what webpages are most helpful for the user. One of the ways this is done is through the use of keywords. Think about what you when you want people to find your website - what would they be searching for? Consider these keywords and work them into your website content, titles and, if you can, page URLs. Putting keywords naturally into your text will help to make your website more user-friendly, which also means more Google friendly.

Google will use a whole range of tools to determine how useful a website is for the user - but basically, the more user friendly your website the better it will rank in Google.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that even after you've made your website user friendly, made use of keywords and are regularly updating your content, your Google ranking will not change overnight. It could take months for Google to determine that your website is more useful than another.
 

So, what should I do?

Most of all, be patient. Keep logging into your website, adding images and text (a blog is great for this!), keeping your information up to date and working keywords naturally into your text. Google will see the changes in your website, and change your ranking accordingly over time.

Finally, apart from paid advertising, there is no guaranteed way to get your website to the top of Google search results. The most important thing is to make your website as user friendly as possible. If you do this, and keep your website up to date, Google will be good to you.

www.dribbble.com

www.designspiration.net

www.wookmark.com

Woomark is an image bookmarking website, often referred to as "Pinterest for creative people". The website allows you to share inspiring images and organize them into categories. You can follow other users who have their own wall of saved images and you can even generate a following of your own.

You can like images to show your appreciation or save an image from one person's wall to your own. Exploration and discovery is enhanced by categorisation and similar images displayed whilst viewing a particular image. 

A handy browser button can be installed for Google Chrome which allows you to save and categorize images you come across whilst browsing the internet in a few simple clicks and ticks.

www.makebetterwebsites.com

www.webcreme.com

Web Crème is great for overall colour, theme and layout ideas. The designs on this site really get the creative juices flowing with some visually stunning web inspiration! Always a good one to head to for some quick inspiration.
 

www.webdesignerdepot.com

Web Designer Depot is a blog site that boasts in the fact that it "lives, breathes, and eats design". This is prety clear when you browse the large range of blog articles on the site. They have articles written on various design topics such as branding, web trends, typography, turorials and logos, as well as other related areas such as web code, website usability, helpful resources and marketing.
 

kuler.adobe.com

This website is great for colour inspiration! A community-driven site, users can create and share colour schemes while others vote for their favourite. It's a simple concept, but what you end up with is a site with a collection of really interesting colour palettes which can really inspire to help a design project stand out.

Kuler is helpful for designing corporate logos, websites, interior design colour schemes or just getting dressed in the mornings!
 

www.webdesignledger.com

Web Design Ledger is good for inspiration. It has a huge number of "top lists" in a range of different areas such as "21 Examples of How to incorporate White in your Designs" or "30 Nicely Designed Sports Websites", (but no "Top Ten Websites for Design Inspiration" list- aha!). But more than just an extensive collection of cool websites- it has tips, tricks and tutorials for both designers and developers. It also has a bunch of free stuff, too!

www.informationisbeautiful.net

As silly as it sounds, sometimes you just need to surround yourself with pretty things. This is what Information Is Beautiful does for some of us - not only are they incredible infographics; informative and interesting, they're also simply beautiful to look at.

Colour, shape and composition are all considered to create something wonderful. When we're stuck in our own head, or just want to take a break and appreciate good design, Information is Beautiful is often where we go.
 

http://www.behance.net

Many great designers, photographers and illustrators showcase their work on this beautiful site. There's an almost endless amount of inspiration here a there’s no doubt you will come across great skill, great talent and great design work here. The niice.co website also displays search results from behance, which has a clean and simple interface.
 

Missing something?

If you think we've missed a good design inspiration website, don't keep it to yourself! Let us know in the comments below.