Getting the top ranking - and keeping it - takes time and persistence. Essentially, you need good link coverage and good content (which includes the title and meta description).
Google is king when it comes to search engines, so your site needs to adapt to best suit Google’s criteria if you are to achieve the best ranking. Your web developer should keep you updated of any major changes.
Google’s PageRank gives preference to sites with a high number of inbound links - and even greater preference if those links come from a high ranking site. In other words, volume and quality of links is what counts. Your web developer should know how to maximise your chances through the use of forums, link exchanges etc. (These are not the links going from your site; they are the links coming from other sites, which are controlled by independent web masters.
Pay attention to your page title and meta description. These headings and descriptions aren’t always seen, except by web crawlers that help decide search rankings. If your description appears in the search results descriptions, will the reader select your site as being relevant - or move to the next on the list?
Don’t try and cheat. You may be barred as a result - a bit like being kicked out of the Yellow Pages!
Headings and descriptions should include your key words. The better they are, the more web crawlers like them.
Remember, you can’t “set and forget” or you will fall down the rankings. Web crawlers like sites that are frequently updated. This means both new pages and new content.
Use text links, not graphic links.
Submit the web site URL to search engines at regular intervals (e.g. monthly or quarterly) using professional software. Be sure to use adequate META tags, especially on your home page.