Almost a year ago, a client came to me with a brand-new website.
When I say brand-new, I mean not even a single page was indexed in Google.
The client had big ambitions. He told me:
“I want to target the entire USA, not just one state or city. But my competitors are giants.”
Now, anyone who has done SEO knows this is not a small ask. Competing nationwide in the US, against old and established competitors, is tough. But I told him:
“It’s not impossible. We just need patience, consistency, and a solid plan.”
Thankfully, the client understood that and was ready to work long-term.
Step 1: The Challenge
- The site had zero indexing (literally invisible on Google).
- The client’s desired keywords were super competitive.
- The target area was not local, not regional, but the entire USA.
So my first thought was clear:
If we’re going to compete at this level, our on-page and technical SEO must be flawless.
There couldn’t be any room for error.
Step 2: Building the On-Page Foundation
I started with the basics, but with extra attention to detail:
- Wrote and optimized content with keeping in mind client’s target keywords
- Focused on headings hierarchy
- Used internal linking
- Worked closely with the web developer to for UX/UI, making sure the site look and performs like a modern, trustworthy brand
In short, I focused on making the website’s foundation in a way that could actually compete against giant competitors who were already dominating.
Step 3: Consistency
One thing I made clear to the client from day one:
We’ll measure progress month by month, not day by day.
We stayed consistent, reviewing keyword positions, clicks, impressions, and technical health regularly.
Step 4: Light Off-Page Work
Now, here’s the surprising part:
I didn’t go heavy on link building.
Instead, I focused on:
- Making sure the on-page was top-notch
- Keeping technical SEO clean
- Creating content that actually aligned with search intent
This alone was enough to start competing with industry giants.
Step 5: The Results (One Year Later)
Fast forward 12 months.
If you search my client’s main keywords right now in the USA, you’ll see the site ranking #1 position organically:
pay bills now pay later → #1 in Google USA
split car payment app → #1 in Google USA
This is not just about getting into the top 10… or even the top 5…
This website is dominating the first spot, beating industry giants who’ve been around for years.
These results prove one thing: with patience, strategy and clean execution, even a brand new website can outrank established competitors on the most competitive keywords. But again, Keep Consistent!
Key Takeaways
- Don’t underestimate on-page SEO. When competition is tough, every detail matters.
- Technical SEO + UX/UI go hand in hand. Search engines and users both need a smooth experience.
- Patience wins. It took almost a year of consistency to see #1 results.
- You don’t always need heavy off-page work. If your foundation is strong enough, light off-page effort can still get you massive results.
Lastly
This project started with a website that wasn’t even indexed.
Today, it’s ranking #1 across the USA for some of the most competitive keywords in its niche.
That’s the power of a strong SEO roadmap executed with patience and precision.
Reach out today and let’s start improving your business visibility
By Fuzail Anwar
SEO Expert | Helping businesses worldwide
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