So you started a business (or you’ve grown your business), and now you’re starting to think about reaching more people. You’ve heard that you need to show up in search engines on the first page, but when you google your business name, you aren’t there (or maybe you’re lower on the first page of results than you would prefer. Then you wonder, “why is my business not showing up on Google?” Let us walk you through why you’re not seeing your business in that top spot and what you can do to fix it.
Create a Google Business Profile
If you want your business to show up on Google search results first when someone types in your name or even show up in the Local Pack/Map Pack at the top of the SERP when they want to find you in person, you need a Google Business Profile (GBP). This is a free service Google provides for all businesses to get your name out there so people can find you. You’re even able to personalize your profile with photos, offers, posts, and more. You’ll add information like the phone number, hours of operation, and a link to your website for quick access. You can even answer questions potential customers ask. This is a great way to ensure your business shows up on Google.
Add Your Website to Google Search Console
Another reason why your business is not showing up on Google might be because you haven’t registered your website in Google Search Console. This is also a free tool that allows businesses to make sure their site is being indexed by Google.
Once you’re signed up, you’ll get access to tools and reports that show how your website is doing in organic search results and give you pointers on how to help you rank higher. Although Google’s algorithm is still in charge of rankings and indexing, you’ll gain significantly more control over the way your site is viewed by Google with Search Console’s tools.
Abide by Google’s Guidelines
If you want your business to show up in Google’s search results, you will need to abide by their guidelines. Your business information and listings in search engine results pages (also known as SERPs) may be removed if you don’t. There are several guidelines you should follow, but some of the most important include:
- Present your business as it is recognized in real life
- Provide correct information (name, address, phone number)
- Choose GBP categories that fit your business
- Only create one GBP profile
Ensure Your Website is Optimized for SEO
While you can sign up for Google’s free tools, nothing will help you if you don’t optimize your website for search engines. You want to make sure you target the best keywords for your business, put them in the correct place, provide accurate and detailed content that is written for people first and search engines second, and continuously add SEO-driven content to your site.
You will also want to make sure your website performance is optimized, because that also affects your site’s SEO. This includes monitoring how quickly your website loads, how your URLs are structured, the security of your site, and more.
Hopefully we answered your question of “why is my business not showing up on Google?” and now you know some of the steps to take. If this process seems overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone! We can walk you through the process of setting your website up on these free programs and help you optimize your site. Let’s get started!
