You finally launched your business website, only to realize no one can find it on Google. Sound familiar?
Don’t worry, this is one of the most common issues small business owners face. The good news? Most causes are fixable. Whether you built it yourself or had someone else create it, this guide walks you through the likely culprits and how to get your site in front of the right eyes.
1. Your Site Isn’t Indexed Yet
Google can’t rank your website if it hasn’t even found it yet.
How to check: Google “site:yourdomain.com”, if nothing shows up, your site isn’t indexed.
How to fix it:
Set up Google Search Console and submit your sitemap.
Make sure your site isn’t set to “noindex” (check your site settings or ask your developer).
Use internal links and clear navigation to help search engines crawl it.
2. You’re Missing Basic SEO Essentials
Many DIY websites skip the basics:
No page titles or meta descriptions
Sloppy headers (or no headers at all)
No alt text on images
Content isn’t keyword-optimized
How to fix it:
Use clear, relevant keywords your customers are searching for.
Write for humans, but format for search engines.
Install an SEO plugin like Yoast or RankMath if you’re using WordPress.
3. Your Site Loads Too Slowly
Google favors fast-loading sites. If yours is sluggish, it may never rank well.
Common speed killers:
Cheap, overcrowded hosting
Unoptimized images
Too many unnecessary plugins
How to fix it:
Compress images
Switch to managed hosting
Audit your plugins and themes
4. You Have No Backlinks (Yet)
Search engines trust sites that others link to. If you have no backlinks, Google assumes you’re not trustworthy yet.
How to fix it:
Submit your site to local directories (Yelp, Bing, Chamber of Commerce)
Ask partners or satisfied clients to link to you
Write helpful guest content for relevant blogs
5. Your Content Isn’t Helping Anyone
Google rewards useful content. If your homepage is vague or your blog is non-existent, there’s nothing to rank.
How to fix it:
Write blog posts that answer real customer questions
Be specific about your services and your location
Keep content updated and relevant
Final Thoughts
Getting found on Google isn’t just about keywords, it’s about clarity, credibility, and consistency. If your website isn’t ranking, it’s not a mystery, it’s a signal.
Need help figuring out what’s wrong or want it fixed without the headache?
Contact me for SEO-friendly hosting, and redesigns that actually work.
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