One of the most common questions we hear at VS Marketing is, "I have a website, but why can't I find it on Google?" If you're asking this question, you're not alone. Many small business owners assume their website automatically appears in Google searches once it's live.
Today, we'll break down exactly how to get your website not just on Google, but ranking well for searches that matter to your business.
First Things First: Getting Google to Notice Your Website
Think of Google as a librarian who needs to know about your book before they can add it to their catalog. Here's how to make sure Google knows your website exists:
1.
Set Up Google Business Profile (Formerly Google My Business)
This free tool is your first step to appearing in Google's local search results. It puts your business on Google Maps and helps you show up when people search for services "near me." At VS Marketing, we've seen businesses double their local visibility just by properly setting up and maintaining their Google Business Profile.
2.
Submit Your Website to Google
While Google will eventually find your website on its own, you can speed up the process by:
- Creating a Google Search Console account
- Verifying your website ownership
- Submitting your sitemap (a list of all your website's pages)
3.
Make Sure Google Can Read Your Website
Just like you wouldn't want a book with missing pages in your library, Google needs to be able to read and understand your entire website. This means:
- Having a clear site structure with easy navigation
- Ensuring no pages are blocked from Google
- Creating clear links between pages
- Having descriptive page titles and headings
4.
Start generating links back to your website
While Google Search Console is your primary tool for submitting your site to Google, you can speed up discovery by using ping services like Ping-O-Matic or XML-Sitemaps.com, which notify search engines when your content updates.
Additionally, sharing links to your site on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter helps Google discover your pages more quickly since search engines regularly crawl these platforms.
Creating profiles on business directories, getting listed in industry-specific websites, and encouraging partners or clients to link to your site also creates pathways for Google's crawlers to find your content.
Just remember that these links should be natural and relevant – avoid any schemes to artificially create lots of low-quality backlinks, as this can actually harm your site's search performance.
Meeting Google's Technical Requirements
Google has specific technical requirements that affect whether and how well your website appears in search results. Here are the must-haves:
Security First: SSL Certificates
That little padlock icon in your browser isn't just for show. Google gives preference to secure websites (ones that start with "https://"). At VS Marketing, we include SSL certificates with all our websites because it's no longer optional – it's essential for appearing in Google searches.
Mobile-Friendly Design
Over 60% of Google searches now come from mobile devices. If your website isn't mobile-friendly, Google will likely push it down in search results. Your website should:
- Adapt smoothly to any screen size
- Have readable text without zooming
- Have buttons and links that are easy to tap
- Load quickly on mobile networks
Speed Matters
Google knows that people hate slow websites. A website that takes more than 3 seconds to load will lose 53% of mobile visitors. Key speed improvements include:
- Optimizing images
- Using modern hosting technology
- Minimizing unnecessary code
- Enabling browser caching
Creating Content That Google (and Customers) Love
Getting your website onto Google is step one. Getting it to rank well is where the real work begins. Here's what you need to focus on:
Understand What Your Customers Are Searching For
Before creating content, you need to know what your potential customers are typing into Google. For example, if you run a local bakery, your customers might search for:
- "best birthday cakes near me"
- "custom wedding cakes [your city]"
- "gluten-free bakery downtown"
We help our clients identify these valuable search terms and build content around them.
Create Quality Content That Answers Questions
Google's job is to provide the best answers to people's questions. Your website needs to:
- Answer specific questions your customers are asking
- Provide detailed, accurate information
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Be updated regularly with fresh content
Local Focus
For most small businesses, local customers are the priority. Your content should:
- Include your city and service areas
- Mention local landmarks or neighborhoods
- Create content about local events or news
- Target location-specific keywords
Making Sure Your Website Converts Visitors
Getting found on Google is only half the battle. Once people click through to your website, you need to turn them into customers. Here's how:
Clear Contact Information
Make it easy for people to reach you:
- Phone number visible on every page
- Contact forms that are easy to find
- Physical address if you have a location
- Business hours clearly displayed
Strong Calls to Action
Tell visitors what you want them to do:
- "Book Now" buttons
- "Get a Free Quote" forms
- "Call Today" prompts
- Newsletter sign-ups
Trust Signals
Show visitors they can trust you:
- Customer reviews and testimonials
- Professional certifications
- Industry affiliations
- Examples of your work
Ongoing Maintenance Is Key
Getting your website onto Google isn't a one-time task. You need to:
- Regularly update your content
- Monitor your Google Business Profile
- Check for technical issues
- Track your performance
- Respond to reviews
- Update your business information
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We've seen many small businesses make these common mistakes:
- Copying content from other websites (Google hates duplicate content)
- Trying to trick Google with keyword stuffing
- Neglecting to update their website regularly
- Ignoring mobile users
- Having no way to measure results
How VS Marketing Can Help
Getting your website onto Google – and keeping it ranking well – takes time and expertise. At VS Marketing, we handle all aspects of getting your website found online:
- Technical SEO setup and monitoring
- Content strategy and creation
- Local SEO optimization
- Performance tracking and reporting
- Regular updates and maintenance
We believe in educating our clients, so you understand what we're doing and why. Our approach has helped hundreds of local businesses not just appear on Google, but dominate their local search results.
Take Action Today
If your website isn't performing well on Google, don't wait to take action. Every day your website isn't properly optimized is a day you're losing potential customers to your competitors.
Contact VS Marketing for a free website audit. We'll show you exactly what's holding your website back and create a clear plan to get it ranking and converting.
Remember: A website that can't be found on Google is like a billboard in the desert – it might look great, but it's not doing your business any good. Let's change that together.
Want to learn more about getting your website found on Google? Contact VS Marketing today for a free consultation. We'll show you exactly how we can help your business get found by the right customers at the right time.
