How to Get Your Website to Show Up on Google
So you’ve launched your website—yay! You picked your fonts, uploaded some beautiful photos, maybe even wrote a thorough "About" page... but now you're wondering:
Why isn’t this thing showing up on Google?! And how do I get it on there without losing my mind?
First off, you're not alone. I can't tell you how many people have whispered this question to me like it’s a dirty secret. The good news? It's fixable. And it doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s walk through it, friend to friend.
First Things First: Can Google Even See Your Site?
You know how sometimes you text someone and don’t realize you had no signal? Same energy. Just because your website exists doesn’t mean Google knows it does.
Here’s a quick trick:
Type this into Google 👉 site:yourdomain.com
(Replace with your actual domain, of course.)
If nothing pops up, it means Google hasn’t indexed your site yet. Don’t panic. We’re gonna fix that.
Step 1: Tell Google You Exist
There’s a free tool (bless it) called Google Search Console. It’s like texting Google “Hey, I’m here.”
Set up your account
Submit your sitemap (if you're on Squarespace or WordPress, this is usually yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml)
Make sure your site isn’t set to “noindex” (some platforms default to this while you're building)
That’s like opening the front door and turning the porch light on. Now Google can come over.
Step 2: Use the Words People Are Googling
This is where keywords come in. Think of them like the GPS signals that help people find your content.
For example, I’m a photographer in Staten Island. If I want someone searching “Staten Island brand photographer” to find me, I need those exact words to appear in my site copy, blog titles, and page descriptions. Not just “photo magic” or “capturing memories.” (Cute. But not searchable.)
Ask yourself:
What would someone Google to find what I offer?
Am I actually using those words on my site?
Step 3: Add the Stuff Google Looks For
Every page on your site should have:
A clear page title (what shows up in search results)
A meta description (a little blurb under the title)
At least one H1 header (aka your main headline)
Alt text on images (so Google knows what they are)
A few internal links (pointing to other pages on your site)
Maybe an external link or two (to reputable sources)
Google is basically a robot with trust issues—it needs all these clues to understand what your site is about.
Step 4: Keep Adding Content That Actually Helps People
One blog post isn’t gonna cut it. Think of content like showing up to the gym—you’ve gotta go more than once to see results.
Try:
Answering FAQs your clients ask
Telling behind-the-scenes stories
Sharing your “why”
Tutorials, gift guides, how-tos
Not only does it help your SEO, but it builds trust with your audience. And trust? That’s SEO gold.
Step 5: Get Other Sites to Talk About You
This is called “backlinking.” Basically, when someone else links to your website, Google’s like, “Oh, they’re legit.”
Easy ways to start:
List yourself on directories (Google Business, Yelp, Alignable, etc.)
Collaborate with other businesses or blogs
Guest post
Ask clients to share your work and tag your site
It’s kind of like networking, but for your website.
How Long Does It Take to Show Up on Google?
Honestly? It depends.
New websites can take a couple weeks (sometimes longer) to be indexed. But with all the steps above, you’re speeding that process up big time.
The key is consistency. Don’t ghost your website. Show up, update, keep adding value.
Want to Learn This Stuff Step-by-Step (Without Guessing)?
This is literally what I teach in my SEO course, Search Party. I break it down in everyday language, no tech degree needed, and show you exactly how to get your site seen by the right people.
If you're ready to stop being the internet’s best-kept secret,
