How to Make Your Business Website on Google Show Up

For many small business owners, launching a website feels like checking a major box off the list — a digital “open for business” sign. But after the excitement fades, you might find yourself asking a frustrating question:

Why isn’t my website showing up on Google?

You’re not alone. This is one of the most common concerns among local businesses. Whether you offer landscaping services in the suburbs or operate a boutique retail store in a small town, appearing in search results isn’t automatic. It requires a deliberate process that blends strategy, structure, and relevance.

At Vanderslice Marketing, we work with business owners who operate in what we call geographically challenged environments — areas where foot traffic doesn’t translate to web visibility, and where national solutions don’t fit local realities. In this guide, we’ll walk through the essential reasons your business website on Google may be hard to find — and what you can do to change that.

Your Website Might Not Be Indexed by Google

Before your site can appear in search results, Google needs to know it exists. This process is called indexing — and it doesn’t always happen automatically.

To check if your site is indexed, perform a search on Google like this:

site:yourwebsite.com

If you see no results, Google hasn’t added your pages to its search index. This can happen for several reasons — the site might be new, the code might include a directive preventing indexing, or it may not be linked to from any other websites.

What to do:

• Submit your website through Google Search Console (a free tool that allows site owners to communicate directly with Google).

• Ensure your site doesn’t have a “noindex” meta tag or disallowed pages in the robots.txt file.

• Add internal and external links pointing to your site to help Google discover it more naturally.

You’re Not Using Search Terms Your Customers Actually Use

Many business websites are written from the owner’s perspective, not the customer’s. This leads to jargon-heavy language that fails to match what people are typing into Google.

For example, a remodeling contractor might promote “full-service residential renovations,” but the average homeowner is searching for “kitchen remodel in Doylestown” or “bathroom renovation near me.”

The solution lies in identifying and using the terms your ideal customers are using, not just the ones you prefer.

Actionable steps:

• Use keyword research tools (such as Google’s Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or even autocomplete suggestions from Google itself).

• Incorporate relevant phrases into your page titles, headings, paragraph text, image descriptions, and URL slugs.

• Avoid keyword stuffing. Search engines reward clarity and usefulness, not repetition.

You Haven’t Optimized for Local Search

Search engines are designed to deliver the most relevant results based on location. If your website doesn’t clearly indicate where you’re located or who you serve, Google may struggle to connect your business with local searchers.

Essential elements of local optimization include:

• A verified Google Business Profile with accurate hours, address, and contact information

• Consistent name, address, and phone number (NAP) across your website, social media, and online directories

• Content that references your region, town, or service area

• Reviews from local customers, ideally submitted on your Google Business page

  
  

Local optimization doesn’t just help you appear on maps and location-based searches — it also improves trust with people looking for businesses nearby.

Your Site May Not Be Optimized for Mobile Devices

More than half of all website traffic comes from smartphones and tablets. If your website is difficult to navigate on a mobile device, users are likely to leave quickly — and search engines take note of that behavior.

A poor mobile experience signals to Google that your site doesn’t meet the needs of modern users, which can hurt your rankings.

Signs your mobile experience needs improvement:

• Tiny text that requires zooming

• Menus that are hard to tap or navigate

• Images or content that fall off the screen

• Slow loading time on cellular networks

Modern websites should be fully responsive, meaning they adapt to any screen size without requiring separate mobile versions. A strong mobile experience improves your search performance and enhances trust among potential customers.

Your Website May Be Too Slow or Technically Outdated

Page speed is a ranking factor. A site that takes too long to load — especially on mobile — may be penalized in search rankings. This is particularly true for businesses competing locally, where many of your competitors may already be optimized for speed.

Speed problems can stem from:

• Large, uncompressed images

• Bloated themes or outdated code

• Cheap or overloaded hosting providers

• Unnecessary plugins and scripts

To improve performance, consider:

• Running a speed test using Google PageSpeed Insights

• Compressing large media files

• Choosing a web host that prioritizes performance and reliability

• Minimizing the use of scripts or external integrations that aren’t essential

Your Content May Lack Purpose, Structure, or Relevance

Even if your website looks great, Google is evaluating the substance of your content. Are your pages answering real questions? Do they demonstrate your expertise and reflect the intent of the people searching?

Poorly written, duplicated, or generic content doesn’t perform well. Conversely, well-structured, locally-relevant pages tend to earn trust from both search engines and potential customers.

To improve your content:

• Write pages that clearly explain what you do, where you do it, and who you help

• Use clear headlines and subheadings to organize your information

• Create separate pages for different services, locations, or specialties

• Avoid stock descriptions or copied content from other sites

Search engines reward original, helpful content that reflects the needs of the user. That includes local context, testimonials, and real examples of your work.

Bringing It All Together: How to Get Your Business Website on Google

Getting your business website to appear on Google isn’t about gaming the algorithm — it’s about building a fast, functional, and customer-focused web presence that’s easy for search engines to understand.

If your site isn't showing up, chances are it just needs some attention in a few key areas — indexing, content, structure, and local optimization.

At Vanderslice Marketing, we specialize in helping small businesses build websites that do more than just sit online. We build sites that work — to attract the right audience, generate leads, and reflect the unique strengths of your business.

If you’re not sure why your site isn’t appearing in search results, we offer a complimentary visibility review. We’ll identify where your site stands and what you can do to improve its reach.

Want to see how your website stacks up?

Reach out today to schedule a free website visibility assessment.

Let’s make sure people can find you when it matters most — when they’re searching.