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If you didn't already know, where you rank on Google's search results page (SERP) is crucial. Be honest – how often do you actually go to the second page? Chances are you don't. You click on the links at the top of the page.

This is exactly where you want your website to be.

Ranking first on SERPs can be a challenging thing to do. Getting Google My Business reviews, adding internal linking, and blogging just might not be enough. One SEO tactic you might be forgetting? Increasing your domain authority.

In this blog, we will discuss what your domain authority (DA) actually is and 5 simple things you can do to increase it.

What is your domain authority?

Domain authority is a prediction of your site's performance in SERPs. It is calculated on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the best, although your DA is considered good if it is between 50 and 60. These scores take time and effort to achieve, so don't feel discouraged if your score is well under that.

It is important to note that Google does not recognize domain authority and therefore does not use it to determine your ranking. That said, the factors used to assess domain authority and the factors Google uses to rank your site are similar, so a higher DA likely means that you'll rank well on the results page.

The best domain authority checker and the one Charley Grey uses is called Moz.

5 Simple Ways to Increase Your Domain Authority

A low domain authority doesn't automatically mean that you won't rank first on Google – so don't panic; however, it is a good metric to track your website growth! If you're looking to boost your domain rating, try implementing these 5 ideas!

1. Write Quality On-Page Content to Boost Page Authority

You've probably heard the phrase "content is king"—and it's true. If you want to increase your page authority (and overall domain authority), start by creating high-quality, helpful content that answers your customers' questions.

Focus on:

  • Long-form content that provides real value—Google loves it, and so do readers.
  • Useful topics like how-to guides, case studies, and top 10 lists.
  • Clear, easy-to-read writing that builds trust and encourages other sites to link back to yours.

The more useful your content is, the more likely it is to earn backlinks, improve page authority, and help your business rank higher in search results.

2. Get high-quality backlink

Think of links in the same way you think of a group of friends. If one friend makes good choices, the others tend to, too. If Google sees your site with high-quality links attached to it, then it will assume your site is useful as well, meaning that your DA will increase and you'll be bumped up on the search engine results page.

To do this, you'll want to create linkable content so that other sites in your industry will want to link to you. Write "Top List" or "Roundup" blog posts. Then reach out to these sites or individuals to let them know you've written something they might want to see! Don't be afraid to directly ask them to link to you as well.

3. Remove Toxic Backlinks to Protect Your Domain Authority

Toxic backlinks can severely damage your website's credibility in Google's eyes. If your site is linked to by spammy or low-quality domains—especially those related to adult content, gambling, or illegal services—Google may view your site as untrustworthy and penalize its rankings.

To clean up your backlink profile:

  • Audit your backlinks using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console. Look for suspicious domains, irrelevant foreign language sites, or sites with high spam scores.
  • Disavow harmful links by creating a .txt file listing the bad domains and submitting it to the Google Disavow Tool. This tells Google not to factor those links into your site's ranking.
  • Check for broken outbound links on your own website using tools like Broken Link Checker or Screaming Frog. Remove or update any that lead to questionable sources to maintain a clean user experience and SEO hygiene.

Regular backlink audits and link maintenance are essential to safeguarding your domain authority and ensuring long-term SEO success.

4. Strengthen Your SEO Strategy

Boosting your domain authority starts with building a strong SEO foundation. Ensure your website is:

  • Mobile-friendly, offering a seamless experience on smartphones and tablets.
  • Technically optimized, with fast loading speeds, secure HTTPS, and clean site architecture.
  • Rich in internal links, guiding visitors (and search engines) to your most valuable pages.
  • Designed with SEO in mind, using keyword-optimized headings, meta tags, and image alt text.

Each of these factors contributes to your site's overall SEO health, which in turn improves your domain authority and search engine rankings. A well-optimized site not only performs better in Google but also delivers a better user experience—helping both your traffic and authority grow.

You don't need a huge site to start showing up online—just a smart one.

5. Leverage Social Media for SEO and Domain Authority

Don't underestimate the power of social media in amplifying your content and improving domain signals. While social links may not directly impact search rankings, social engagement acts as a trust signal that search engines notice.

To maximize impact:

  • Share every new blog post, product update, or company announcement on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
  • Encourage engagement—ask followers to like, share, and comment. Social proof builds credibility and increases visibility.
  • Drive traffic to your site through compelling calls to action and clickable links in your posts.

Just posted something helpful? Tell your audience about it. Got a great customer review? Share it. These little actions add up and help boost your reputation online, even before your website is fully built.

The more your content is seen, shared, and clicked on, the more likely it is to earn quality backlinks and improve your overall domain authority.

Need Help Increasing Your Domain Authority?

At Charley Grey, we build websites that don't just look good—they perform. Every site we create is fully optimized with on-page SEO, giving your business the foundation it needs to rank higher on Google and grow online.

Here's how we help boost your domain authority:

  • We write clear, helpful content your customers will love.
  • We clean up harmful or broken links hurting your reputation.
  • We improve your website's structure so search engines trust it.
  • We even support your social media presence to get you seen faster.
  • Whether you have a basic website or none at all, we'll meet you where you are—and help you grow from there.

📞 Ready to get started? Give us a call at (463) 223-8295 and become part of the Charley Grey family today!