Imagine you just opened a beautiful new store. You have great products, friendly staff, and everything is perfect… but no one is walking in. Why? Because no one knows you’re there.
That’s exactly what it feels like when your website isn’t ranking on Google. You may have the best business idea, the coolest brand, or the slickest design, but if people can’t find you online, your growth stalls.
Today, let’s break down why your website isn’t showing up on Google and more importantly, how you can fix it. Don’t worry, we’re going to keep this simple, like a friendly TED Talk for entrepreneurs who are just trying to get their digital act together.
1. You’re Not Using the Right Keywords
Let me ask you something: when your customers go to Google, what are they actually typing?
If you sell handmade candles, are they typing “soy-based triple-scented candles with wood wicks”? Or are they searching for “best gift candles” or “aromatherapy candles”?
This is called keyword intent, which is knowing what words people use when they’re searching. Many business owners make the mistake of using keywords that are too fancy, too vague, or way too competitive.
Fix it: Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find keywords that your audience is searching for. Start with long-tail keywords. Instead of “candles,” go with something like “affordable soy candles for relaxation.”
2. Your On-Page SEO Needs Help
Okay, your website might look good. But is it speaking Google’s language?
Google needs certain clues to understand your content:
- Do you have a clear title on each page?
- Are your images labeled properly?
- Do your URLs make sense?
On-page SEO is all about making your website easier for search engines to read and understand.
Fix it: Add your main keywords in the page title, the first paragraph, and your headers. Link to other helpful pages on your site. And don’t forget to write a short, catchy meta description for every page.
3. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
Most people search on their phones now. So if your website looks weird or loads slowly on mobile, Google notices.
And guess what? Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means it looks at the mobile version of your site before anything else.
Fix it: Use a responsive website design that adjusts to different screen sizes. Test your site on Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. Make sure buttons are easy to tap, text is readable, and images load quickly.
4. Your Site is Too Slow
Ever clicked on a website and had to wait 5 seconds for it to load? Be honest, you probably clicked away. Your visitors feel the same.
Site speed is a big deal, not just for people, but for Google too.
Fix it: Compress your images (use JPEGs or WebP), reduce the number of plugins if you use WordPress, and enable caching. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix will show you what’s slowing things down.
5. Google Can’t Crawl or Index Your Site
Imagine trying to find a book in a library, but it’s not in the catalog. Even if it’s amazing, no one will find it. That’s what happens when Google can’t index your site.
This can happen if:
- Your site accidentally blocks Google in the code
- Your pages are marked “noindex”
- You have broken links or confusing site structure
Fix it: Sign up for Google Search Console. It tells you exactly which pages are being indexed and if there are any errors. Make sure your sitemap is submitted and your site isn’t blocking Google bots by mistake.
6. You Don’t Have Quality Backlinks
Think of backlinks like recommendations. When other websites link to you, Google sees your site as trustworthy.
But not all links are equal. A link from a popular news site or respected blog is gold. A link from a sketchy site? Not so much.
Fix it: Reach out to bloggers in your niche. Write guest posts. Use HARO (Help A Reporter Out) to get featured in articles. And most importantly, create content people want to share.
7. Your Content Isn’t Valuable Enough
Let’s be honest. Is your website just a bunch of words stuffed with keywords? Or are you actually solving problems?
Google wants to show pages that are helpful, trustworthy, and written with care.
Fix it: Think about your ideal customer. What questions do they have? Create blog posts, videos, or guides that answer them. Update your content regularly and aim to be the best answer on the internet for your topic.
8. You Haven’t Set Up Google Search Console
If you’re not using Google Search Console, you’re flying blind.
This free tool helps you:
- See what keywords people are using to find you
- Know which pages are indexed
- Get alerts about problems
Fix it: Go to search.google.com/search-console, connect your site, and check in weekly. It’s like having a map for your website performance.
Bonus: If You’re a Local Business, Don’t Skip Local SEO
If you run a local business, like a bakery or gym, your biggest audience is nearby. But many businesses skip local SEO.
Mistakes include:
- Not claiming your Google Business Profile
- Using different addresses or phone numbers across the web
- No reviews or local backlinks
Fix it: Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Add your hours, photos, and get reviews from happy customers. List your business in local directories like Yelp or the Chamber of Commerce.
Conclusion: You Can Fix This
The truth is, SEO isn’t magic. It’s about doing the basics well and staying consistent.
If your site isn’t ranking, don’t panic. It just means Google doesn’t understand your site yet, or it doesn’t see it as helpful or important yet.
But that changes today. Now you know:
- How to find the right keywords
- How to fix your on-page SEO
- How to improve mobile experience and speed
- How to help Google find, crawl, and love your site
And most importantly, you know how to create value.
So, business owners, entrepreneurs, and go-getters: Are you ready to be found?
Let’s get you ranking.
Want help with this stuff? Reach out, we love helping businesses grow online.