5 Reasons Your Website Isn’t Getting Found (And What To Fix First)
You’ve got a website. You’ve spent a LOT of time (and probably money) on it. And yeah - it looks pretty nice. It even says what you do.
But when you Google your business…where the hell is it?!
It’s something I hear all the time. And before you start thinking it’s because your business isn’t good enough - it’s not.
Most of the time, the reason your website isn’t showing on Google comes down to a few really fixable things. So let’s go through them now!
You’re not using the words your customers are actually searching for
This is the big one. A lot of small business websites are written based on:
what you would say
what sounds nice
or what “fits your brand”
But Google doesn’t care about any of that.
It’s looking for clear, specific words that people are typing into search.
For example:
“bespoke wellness experience” vs “yoga classes near me”
“handcrafted pieces” vs “handmade jewellery UK”
If your website isn’t using the same language your customers are searching for, Google doesn’t connect the dots.
What to fix:
Start by typing into Google:
“what you do” + your location
“what you sell”
See what comes up - those are your keywords.
2. Your website isn’t structured in a way Google understands
You might have all the right words…but if your site isn’t structured properly, Google still struggles.
Things like:
no clear page titles
missing headings
everything crammed onto one page
no clear service pages
It just becomes a bit of a mess (for Google and your customers) and the result is that you don’t get matched with those all important search queries.
What to fix:
Make sure you have:
a clear homepage (what you do, who it’s for, where you are)
separate pages for each service or offer
clear headings (not just big blocks of text)
Think: simple, obvious and easy to follow.
3. You haven’t told Google where you are
This is especially important for local businesses.
Let’s say, for example, like me - you’re based in Glossop, High Peak, Derbyshire, Manchester…Google needs to see that clearly on your website.
Otherwise you won’t show up when people search things like:
“hairdresser near me”
“yoga classes Glossop”
“accountant Derbyshire”
What to fix:
Add your location naturally throughout your site
Include it in your page titles, headings and your website footer
Mention areas you serve
This is a huge part of local SEO for small business - and one most people skip.
4. Your website doesn’t clearly say what you actually do
This sounds obvious but it’s one of the biggest issues I see! A lot of websites are vague, too wordy or trying to sound “clever” (I’m also guilty of this and once described myself as a Creative Business Wingwoman…cool, but who’s typing that in Google?!)
What you actually need to be saying is pretty simple: this is what I do and this is who it’s for.
Because if a human can’t quickly understand it - Google won’t either.
What to fix:
Go to your homepage and honestly ask yourself:
Could a complete stranger understand what I do in 5 seconds?
If not - simplify it. In a way that your 90 year old grandma could understand.
5. You’re relying on Instagram instead of Google
This one might sting slightly (sorry!) Instagram is great. I use it. You probably use it.
But when someone actually needs what you do? They don’t scroll…they search.
If all your effort is going into social media and none into your website then you’re making a HUGE mistake and missing out on people who are actively looking for whatever it is that you offer.
What to fix:
Spend at least 2 hours per week on your website - tweaking, optimising, keeping it active and up to date so that you signal to Google that you matter.
And start thinking of your website as your main visibility tool and not just something that sits there. And trust me, you’ll see a lot more return for your efforts than you’ll ever see from Instagram.
So… why is your website not showing on Google?
Usually, it’s not one big problem. It’s a combination of:
the wrong words
unclear structure
missing location info
and a bit too much focus on social media
But the good news is - it’s all fixable by working on the steps outlined in this blog article.
If you want to improve your SEO and get found on Google…
You don’t need to completely rebuild your website or spend hours Googling “how to improve SEO for small business”.
You just need to get the right foundations in place so your website works, putting you in front of the right people who are looking for what you do.
That’s the bit I help with.
Want me to take a look?
If your website isn’t bringing in enquiries and you’ve no idea why - I’m always happy to have a nose and point you in the right direction.
You can explore my visibility support services or book a free, no-pressure chat.
