Getting found on Google
Why is my website not showing up on Google?
Short answer
It is usually one of six causes: the site has not been indexed yet, a setting blocks Google (such as 'noindex' or robots.txt), there is no dedicated page for what you want to be found for, the content is too thin, the domain is still young, or you are searching for a term with much stronger competitors. Google Search Console shows which one it is.
First check whether Google knows your site
Search Google for site:yourdomain.com. If nothing appears, your site is not indexed. Add it to Google Search Console, submit your sitemap and request indexing for your most important pages.
Look for a blockage
A forgotten 'noindex' (often after a new website or a staging environment), a robots.txt that blocks everything, or a password on the site keeps Google out. In Search Console, URL inspection shows per page whether indexing is allowed.
Do you have a page for that search term?
To be found for 'bathroom renovation Bristol', you need a page that is genuinely about that. A homepage that mentions everything rarely beats a specialist with a full page.
Is there enough content?
Pages with a few lines of text and mostly images give Google little to work with. Describe what you do, for whom, where, how it works and what it costs or what the price depends on.
Is your domain still young?
New websites and domains need time. You are usually found quickly on your business name; on general terms it often takes months, longer if few other sites link to you.
Are you competing on the right terms?
Broad terms such as 'web design' are held by sites with years of authority. More specific terms, such as a service plus a location or industry, are often more achievable and bring more targeted enquiries.
Frequently asked questions
I lost my rankings after a new website. Why?
Often because of missing redirects from old to new URLs, a leftover 'noindex' or removed content. See our guide on redesigning without losing search visibility.
I can't even be found on my business name. What now?
Then the site is almost certainly not indexed or is blocked. Start with Search Console and the site:yourdomain.com check.
Can Google Ads fix this?
Ads make you visible immediately while you pay, but do not fix the cause in the organic results.
More questions about getting found on google
- What is SEO?SEO stands for search engine optimisation.
- How do I rank higher on Google?You rank higher on Google by creating a page per service that answers the search query better than the pages currently at the top, by getting the technical basics right and by being visibly trustworthy, with a complete Google Business Profile and links from relevant websites.
- Which keywords is my website found for?You can see this for free in Google Search Console, under Performance and then Search results.
- How much does SEO cost?SEO costs depend on four things: the size and technical state of your website, the competition for your search terms, how much new content is needed and whether the work is one-off or ongoing.
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