How do I stay on page 1 of google

I finally got on page one of google for my main keyword- stayed there about a month and got into my busy season- Valentine's Day- slacked off linking and am now on page 3 of google for the same term.

I wouldn't think that the slacking off- dropped the number of links by about 50% would have had such a quick effect? anyway I am slowly climbing back up but once I get there again what is the strategy for staying there?

Keep adding links just as before with no reduction in numbers of links?
I have heard that once you get there you can stay there by "maintainence" which suggests less linking? Any ideas?

 

You always have to get links.

 

Try to make some links from high pr sites and some relevant sites as well.

Thanks

 

New contents, and of course if you niche is so competitive, then keep link building in it

 

keep working ......blogs commenting,article submissions,trade links,ppc and many more

 

if you have a competitive niche, you cannot slack off. you snooze, you lose! for competitive niche, link building is a continuous process and occasional link building is required even after securing first page ranking. while you are at your comfort zone with first page ranking, your competitors are not sitting idle and they are building links to outrank you.

 

Fresh content and new quality links will help you retain your SERP.