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Why Your Competitor’s Website Is Ranking Higher (And What to Do)

  • Writer: Johnathon Crowder
    Johnathon Crowder
  • Jul 30
  • 4 min read
Springfield, Missouri. Seo Ranking on a laptop

If Your Competitor Shows Up First on Google… Here’s Why (and What to Do)


You’re doing great work. Maybe your business is more established, maybe you’ve got a better team or happier customers. So why does your competitor show up first on Google — not you?


It’s not luck. It’s not favoritism. It’s strategy.


This post will walk you through why your competitor’s website is outranking yours in Springfield, MO, and give you a clear, professional roadmap to take your spot back — one smart SEO move at a time.



The 5 Real Reasons Their Website Beats Yours in Springfield


1. Their Site Is Built with SEO in Mind

Most business websites are just online brochures. But your competitor’s site? It’s designed to get traffic and convert it.


They’ve:

  • Chosen the right local keywords (like “Springfield patio builder” or “emergency plumber Springfield MO”)

  • Optimized every page around a specific topic

  • Built a clean URL structure

  • Added metadata that Google understands


That gives them an edge — and it’s something you can absolutely fix.



2. They’ve Got More Backlinks (and Better Ones)

Google sees backlinks as “votes of confidence.”


Your competitor may have links from:

  • Local newspapers

  • Industry directories

  • Partner businesses

  • Guest blog posts


If your site has zero backlinks, or worse — toxic ones from spammy sources — you’ll be stuck below them no matter how great your content is.



3. They Publish Useful Local Content

Google rewards websites that stay fresh. If your competitor writes:

  • Local guides (e.g. “Best Fencing Materials in Springfield”)

  • How-tos (“How to Prep Your Home for a Roof Replacement”)

  • Blog posts targeting Springfield keywords


…they’re going to earn traffic, backlinks, and engagement that help them rise.



4. Their Site is Faster, Cleaner, and Mobile-Optimized

Slow, outdated, or confusing sites kill rankings. Google cares about user experience.


That means:

  • Fast page speed (under 3 seconds)

  • Responsive design (mobile-first)

  • Logical navigation (no dead ends or clutter)

  • SSL encryption (https)


Your competitor may simply be giving Google (and users) a better experience.



5. They’re Tracking Everything and Optimizing

If your competitor uses tools like Google Analytics, Semrush, or Search Console, they’re watching what works and improving over time.


SEO is a moving target — and they’re playing the long game.



How to Outrank Your Competitor in Springfield

This isn’t a guessing game. Here’s how to systematically reverse the gap:



✅ Step 1: Run a Full SEO Audit (Yours + Theirs)

Use tools like:

  • Semrush: to check keyword rankings and technical errors

  • Ubersuggest: to see their top pages

  • Screaming Frog: to crawl their site structure


You need to know:

  • What keywords they rank for

  • What backlinks they have

  • What you’re missing



✅ Step 2: Build a Keyword Strategy Based on Real Search Terms

Start by creating a list of terms your customers actually search — like:

  • “Best window tinting Springfield MO”

  • “Affordable dog groomers in Springfield”

  • “Emergency HVAC repair Springfield”


Then build individual pages around each service, location, and search intent. Google doesn’t rank general pages anymore — it ranks specific solutions.



✅ Step 3: Create Better Content Than They Have

The key to SEO today? Out-help them.

  • If they wrote a blog post with 400 words, write 900 — and make it clearer.

  • If they listed 3 tips, give 7 and add visuals.

  • If they use AI content, write something real.


Content is still king — but only if it solves problems better.



✅ Step 4: Build Springfield-Based Backlinks

You don’t need 10,000 links. Just 10 good local ones can move the needle.

  • Sponsor a local event or charity and ask for a backlink

  • Get listed on local directories and business profiles

  • Collaborate with local bloggers or vendors for guest features


Google loves local signals. Show them you’re a real part of Springfield’s business ecosystem.



✅ Step 5: Improve Your Technical SEO and UX

Hire someone (like us) to:

  • Speed up your site

  • Fix broken links

  • Add proper heading structure (H1, H2, etc.)

  • Compress images without quality loss

  • Optimize for mobile navigation and click-to-call buttons


Technical issues don’t just hurt SEO — they kill trust.



Here’s What Happens When You Fix This

Springfield businesses that invest in SEO see:

  • Higher Google Maps rankings

  • More leads from search (even without ads)

  • A website they’re proud to share

  • Competitors scrambling to catch up


One client of mine gained 300% more organic traffic in just 3 months by targeting local content and getting 5 new backlinks.



Final Thoughts: Stop Guessing. Start Ranking.

If you’ve been wondering why your competitor keeps showing up above you — now you know. It’s not because they’re better than you. It’s because they’ve optimized.


And now, so can you.


At Crowder Code and Design, I help Springfield small business owners:

  • Audit and outperform competitors

  • Build high-converting websites that rank

  • Create local blog content that drives traffic



🔍 Want to Know Exactly Why Your Competitor Is Winning?

Let me break it down for you.


Request a free SEO audit and I’ll send you a custom Loom video that shows:

  • What keywords they rank for

  • Where they’re getting backlinks

  • What you need to fix now



Let’s take your spot back — and keep it.

 
 
 

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