How difficult is it going to be to get to No1 on google for a certain keyword if the site currently (and for about a year) occupying top spot has sitelinks? My site goes between 2nd - 4th. Thanks
That is going to be difficult to answer. Mainly because I do not have both sites names to take a look at them. If you do not want to share the site names, here is a list of some of the factors that might affect where the sites rank: Number of include incoming and outgoing links, age of the site, are both sites submitting a site map to google, are both sites spam free, are either site buying or selling links, how often are the sites updated, keyword placement in the meta description and site title, keywords in backlinks,,,,,,. You should take a look at the big picture and try to figure out "why" google likes that other site. What has that website owner done that you have not? Figure out what you have done, what you have not done and what you need to do. And go from there. On the topic of Sitelinks - those are set by google and there is nothing you can do about it.
Kev is right there is too many factors involved to be able to second guess. Can you give us your URL, your keywords, and what SEO techniques you are currently using?
I can tell you as a fact it can happen because we've seen it happen with a site we watch in the last few weeks, it had sitelinks for a buying keyword for 6 months or so, started alternating with the number two site, showing it's sitelinks when at #1, and then was back firmly number 2 again (no sitelinks obv) and the original #2 site was then #1, and still is.
The URL is the Free iPhone link in my sig, but something odd has just happened within the last couple of hours - I've completely dropped out of Google UK for that keyword. Still on Google.com but only 6th. All of my traffic comes from google UK so I hope it comes back!!