Getting to page 1 is like being in a beauty pagaent. The finalists all do all the same right things to be a top contender, but now what? Ultimately, it comes down to being perceived as having the most value, both before and after a vistor goes to the page.
A page that has been quality backlinked to near top of the SERPs may look good, like a top beauty contestant, until they open their mouth and answer a question badly. If you page answers questions visitors have badly, compared to the competition, that's the difference maker that keeps you from landing on page one, or staying there.