Why Your Website Still Isn’t Showing Up on Google (And What to Do About It)
Here is a deeper dive from our previous blog on indexing your site on Google. You’ve searched your business name, tried a few keywords, even scrolled through pages of Google results… and still nothing.
You’re not alone. This happens to a lot of businesses when they launch or make big changes. But the good news is, there’s usually a fix.
Here’s what you can do to get your site not just visible, but actually moving up in search results.
First: Make Sure Google Knows You Exist
Open up Google and type:
If nothing shows up, your site hasn’t been indexed yet. That means Google doesn’t even know your pages exist.
Quick fix:
Set up Google Search Console
Use the URL Inspection tool to submit your homepage and key pages
If some of your pages show up, great. But indexing is just the start. Ranking well takes a bit more work.
Check for Hidden Problems That Block Google
Sometimes your site is blocked without you even realizing it. These are common issues:
Your site has a
noindex
tagThe robots.txt file is blocking search engines
You’ve got pages behind login walls or popups
Broken links or page errors
Quick fix:
Run a site audit with Search Console or a tool like Screaming Frog. Make sure your important pages are open for indexing and aren’t marked “noindex” in the backend.
Make Your Content Actually Worth Ranking
If your site is showing up but way down the list, the content probably isn’t strong enough. Google wants to rank pages that solve a problem or answer a question clearly.
Here’s what helps:
Add relevant headings (H1, H2, H3)
Use the keywords you want to rank for in your titles and body text
Make sure the content is useful and not just filler
Add an FAQ section or answer real questions people search
Link to related blog posts and services within your site
Build Your Reputation with Backlinks
Google pays attention to what other sites think of you. If nobody’s linking to you, your authority score stays low.
Here’s how to get backlinks:
Share your content on LinkedIn, Reddit, or industry Facebook groups
Ask clients, suppliers, or collaborators to link to you
Submit to business directories (especially local ones)
Even one or two good links can give your content a push in rankings.
Let Google Know Where You Are
If you work in a specific city or region, make sure your site reflects that.
Add your city and province in page titles and headings
Use your full business name, address, and phone number (NAP)
Embed a Google Map on your contact page
Create service-area-specific pages if it makes sense
And yes, set up and optimize your Google Business Profile. It’s one of the easiest ways to show up locally.
Keep Publishing and Be Patient
Search engine visibility doesn’t happen overnight. But if you’re creating content that’s actually useful, using real search terms, and making sure your site is technically sound, you’ll start to see movement.
Keep at it. The results compound over time.
Need a Hand?
If you’re stuck or don’t have time to figure out the SEO puzzle yourself, I help small businesses, trades, and local makers improve their Google presence and get more traffic to their websites.
Reach out here and we’ll take a look.