How do I get my Website to Show Up on Google?

Google Is King

Yeah, it’s 2021 and we all know Google is KING!

Practically everyone’s first stop online is to the almighty Google search engine to find what you are looking for. And why is Google everyone’s first stop? Because it aims to find the best possible resource to fulfill a search query.

There is no denying that we all rely on Google. But have you considered how people are using it to find you and your business? If your answer is ‘No’, then it is high time to get on the bandwagon and get to thinking! 

Step 1: Create a Website!

If you don’t already have one…..create a website….um, like yesterday!

The first step to getting found online is to simply have a website. If you have a website, your online visibility immediately goes up.

Seems like a no-brainer, right? Even in 2021, you would be surprised by how many small businesses don’t have websites!

(Need a website? Code of Entry can help with that!) 

Ok, I have a website, but I’m still not showing up on Google. What gives?

Step 2. Submit your site to Google

Your website will be found eventually by Google’s bots that are constantly crawling the web, BUT there are things you can do to speed up this very important process. 

Start by letting Google know that you exist by submitting your site directly to them.

How?

 To submit your website to Google, you can do 1 of 2 things.

1. Add an updated sitemap to your Google account
2. Submit an indexing request for the specific URL

If you have a brand-new site:

If you are launching a website for the very first time, you need to verify you own the site within Google Search Console.  Then you can submit it here. Once you land on the page, click “submit a sitemap”. 

If you have an existing site and are launching new pages…

If you already had a website that has been launched, you can always submit new pages for Google to index and rank.

Submit an Updated Sitemap

            An updated sitemap can be submitted to make sure the new pages get listed quickly.

    How?

1. Login to Google Search Console
2. Select “Add a Property”

Submit your updated sitemap for Google to begin crawling.

Step 3: Build links to your website

 Now that you have a website that Google recognizes you will want your site to show up at the top of Google’s search results for people to actually see and click on.

Google can’t direct others to you if they don’t know who you are and what you do. One way to help Google know who you are is by planting links around the web! When one of those bots comes across a hyperlink, they follow that pathway back to your website and try to make a connection between the two locations. 

The number one way to get high quality backlinks is simply to write content for other publications or blogs within your specific area of expertise. This helps you build authority, brand recognition, and helps readers ….and Google…. find you better!

Another great way to get links back to your website is to post your URL in all of your social media profiles and online directories for your specific industry or geographical areas. These links make it super easy for potential customers/clients to get to your homepage.

Step 4: Pick the Perfect Keywords

Keywords are often talked about when attempting to figure out how to get your website to show up on Google. But do you know what keywords are? And why they matter?

Keywords are simply words or phrases that someone might type into that Google search bar to find what you have to offer. The better the match is between the words people are typing into the search bar and the exact words included on your website, the better chance you have of showing up in the search results.

Simply put, picking the right keywords increases your visibility on Google.

For example, let’s say you have a website selling backpacks. You will want people who are searching “toddler backpacks” in the search bar to click on your site. By including the keyword “toddler backpacks” throughout your web pages, you will improve your changes of appearing on Google for that specific search.

Let’s dig into keywords to further explain how these specific words or phrases can help you show up on Google.

Ok, you sit down at your computer or pull out your cell phone because you have a specific question you need answered. It might be “What temperature should I bake baby back ribs?” or “What is the temperature outside?” or “How should I trim roses in the winter?”

Guess what? Your customers are no different! Imagine your potential customers asking Google specific questions that your business is uniquely qualified to answer.

Do a little keyword research to help you determine the most commonly searched words or phrases related to your business. Then get those words into your content and on your website to allow Google to know that your website provides the best answer to those searches.

Step 5: Fill in those Meta Tags

Another strategy for getting your website on Google is filling out your site’s meta tags. Meta tags are those little blurbs of text that show up in Google’s search results to give a preview of the content.

These meta tags help convince the searcher to click on your link and proceed on to your webpage.  Remember to use keywords in your meta tags to help Google understand your content better and then direct users to your website when a specific query is searched.

As you can see above, the keyword I searched for was “yoga pants”. The words searched are presented in bold in the meta tag, drawing the users eye directly to the words they searched for increasing the likelihood they will click on that link.

You Can Do It!

Showing up on Google might not be that hard but showing up on page ONE of Google might be another story entirely. Just remember, it takes time. Be diligent with keyword research, filling in those meta descriptions, writing good content, and building quality backlinks. Your rankings will climb.

Don’t Have Time

We at Code of Entry know how time consuming all of these tasks can be. But guess what? We are here for you. If you want your website to show up on Google, but simply don’t have enough hours in the day to run your business and worry with keywords, backlinks, and meta tags….we can help. Contact us and we would be happy to talk through your specific needs.