- Google usually finds sites on its own, but Search Console and a sitemap speed things up and show you problems.
- A new site can take a few weeks to appear, according to Google.
- If your site isn't showing, check indexing before content: noindex tags and robots.txt blocks are common.
- To show up when people search for your business locally, you also need a Google Business Profile.
How to get your website on Google
Google's crawlers look for new websites automatically. In Google's words, "Google automatically looks for sites to add to our index," so many sites appear without the owner doing anything. But "automatically" doesn't mean quickly or completely. To get your website on Google reliably, and to see what Google thinks of it, follow these steps.
- Check whether you're already on Google. Search for
site:yourdomain.com. If pages appear, Google has found your site. Google notes this doesn't show every indexed page, but it's a quick first check. - Add your site to Google Search Console. It's free, and it's where Google tells you how it sees your site. Choose the domain property if you can, so it covers every version of your site.
- Submit your sitemap. Most website builders create one at yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml. Our guide to submitting a sitemap to Google covers each platform.
- Ask Google to crawl your most important pages. In Search Console, paste a page's address into the URL Inspection bar at the top and select Request indexing. Do this for your homepage and main service pages.
- Get linked from other websites. Google finds sites by following links. Directory listings, partners, suppliers and trade associations linking to you all help Google discover your site sooner.
Google says "it can take a few weeks for Google to notice a new site, or any changes in your existing site." Requesting indexing helps, but it doesn't guarantee it.
How to get your business on Google
Your website and your business listing are two different things on Google:
- Your website appears in the main search results when someone searches for what you do.
- Your Google Business Profile appears in the map results and the panel on the right when someone searches for your business name, or for services near them.
If people search for your business by name and nothing appears in the panel or map, you need a Google Business Profile. Our guides to setting up your Google Business Profile and adding your business to Google Maps cover each step.
Why is my website not showing up on Google?
If your site has been live for a few weeks and still isn't showing, work through the causes below. They're in the order to check them, because the first few stop everything else from working.
| Cause | How to check | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| The site has a "noindex" tag | Search Console's URL Inspection says "Excluded by 'noindex' tag", or check your CMS's "discourage search engines" setting | Remove the tag or untick the setting, then request indexing |
| robots.txt blocks Google | Open yourdomain.com/robots.txt and look for Disallow: / |
Remove the rule, then request indexing |
| Google hasn't found the site yet | No results for site:yourdomain.com and nothing in Search Console |
Submit your sitemap, request indexing, and get a few links |
| Pages are indexed, but rank low | Pages appear for your business name but not for services | Improve each service page and build links (see below) |
| A manual action or security issue | Search Console's Security and Manual actions reports | Follow Google's instructions in the report, then request a review |
| The site moved and old URLs weren't redirected | Old pages show errors; new pages aren't indexed yet | Add redirects from every old URL to its new equivalent |
The most common cause we see is the first one. Many website builders and WordPress have a setting that hides a site from search engines while it's being built, and it's easy to forget to switch it off at launch.
Our guide to the page indexing report explains every status Search Console shows and what to do about each.
Your site is indexed, but you can't find it
If Google has indexed your site but you can't find it for the searches that matter, the problem is ranking, not indexing. That's normal for a new site, and it's where SEO comes in.
- Give every service its own page, with a clear title and heading that match how customers search.
- Add detail. Pages that explain what you do, who it's for, how it works and what it costs tend to rank better than short ones.
- Build trust. Links and mentions from relevant, reputable sites help Google trust you.
- Be specific about location if you serve a particular area, on your pages and your Google Business Profile.
Our guide to SEO for small businesses covers these in the order to tackle them.
How to get on the first page of Google
There's no shortcut, and anyone who guarantees a first-page ranking is overpromising. Google itself says it can't guarantee that any site will be crawled, indexed or shown. What reliably moves you up is:
- targeting specific searches you can realistically win, such as "IT support for law firms in [area]" rather than "IT support"
- making your page the most useful answer to that search
- getting reviews, links and mentions that show you're a real, trusted business
- fixing technical problems that hold good pages back
Questions
How do I get my website on Google for free?
Add your site to Google Search Console, submit your sitemap, and request indexing for your main pages. All of this is free. Getting listed on a few reputable directories also helps Google find you.
How long does it take for a website to show up on Google?
Google says it can take a few weeks for a new site to be noticed. Requesting indexing in Search Console can speed this up, but there's no guaranteed timescale.
Why is my business not showing up on Google?
If you mean your business listing in the map and side panel, you need a verified Google Business Profile. If you mean your website, check that it isn't blocked by a noindex tag or robots.txt, and that it's been submitted in Search Console.
Do I need to pay to be on Google?
No. Appearing in Google's normal search results and maps is free. Paid ads are a separate option that appear in labelled ad slots.
Can I submit my website to Google?
Yes. Add your site to Search Console, submit your sitemap, and use URL Inspection to request indexing for important pages.
Every guide is checked against the platform it describes before it’s published, and re-checked when the platform changes.