If you’ve been searching for answers to “why is my website not showing up on Google”, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue for business owners across the UK. You’ve invested time and money into your site, but when you search for it, nothing appears. It’s frustrating — and it can cost you customers.
The good news is that there are clear reasons why a website might not be appearing in search results, and most of them can be fixed. In this guide, we’ll explain why your website is not showing up on Google, step by step, and what you can do to solve it.
Website Not Showing Up on Google
Step 1: Check If Your Website Is Indexed
The first thing to determine is whether Google even knows your site exists.
- Go to Google and type:
site:yourdomain.co.uk(replace with your actual domain). - If no results appear, your website has not been indexed yet.
Google needs to crawl and index your site before it can show up in search results.
👉 You can use Google Search Console to submit your site for indexing. It’s free and essential for every business website.
Step 2: Review Your Website’s Technical Setup
Sometimes the reason your website is not showing up on Google is due to technical issues.
- Robots.txt: This file can accidentally block search engines from crawling your site. Check it at
yourdomain.co.uk/robots.txt. - Noindex tags: If your pages have a
<meta name="robots" content="noindex">tag, Google will ignore them. - SSL certificate: Make sure your site is secure (it should start with https://). Google favours secure websites.
👉 For a beginner-friendly explanation, read Google’s SEO Starter Guide.
Step 3: Ensure Your Content Is Unique and Valuable
Duplicate, thin, or poor-quality content is a common reason for ranking issues. Google prioritises websites that provide original, helpful content.
- Avoid copying text from other sites.
- Write unique service pages for each area you cover (e.g. “Plumber in Manchester” vs. “Plumber in Liverpool”).
- Add value with blogs, guides, or FAQs that answer customer questions.
If your content is too sparse or generic, Google may not consider it worth ranking.
Step 4: Optimise for Keywords
Another reason your website is not showing up on Google could be keyword optimisation.
- Identify what customers in the UK are searching for using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.
- Optimise your titles, meta descriptions, headings, and body text for those keywords.
- Avoid “keyword stuffing” — use them naturally and in context.
For example, instead of only writing “We provide services”, try: “We provide affordable plumbing services in Birmingham, trusted by homeowners across the West Midlands.”
Step 5: Improve Your Website Speed and Mobile Usability
Google prioritises websites that deliver a great user experience. A slow or poorly optimised site can stop you from ranking.
- Test your speed using Google PageSpeed Insights.
- Compress images using tools like TinyPNG.
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly — more than 60% of UK traffic now comes from mobile devices.
If your site doesn’t perform well technically, Google won’t want to show it to users.
Step 6: Build Backlinks and Authority
Even if your site is indexed, it might still struggle to appear because it lacks authority. Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) are a key ranking factor.
- Get listed in UK business directories like Yell.com.
- Reach out to industry blogs for guest posting opportunities.
- Share your website on social media platforms to increase visibility.
The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more trustworthy your website will appear to Google.
Step 7: Be Patient — SEO Takes Time
If your website is brand new, it may take weeks (or even months) before it starts ranking well. SEO is a long-term strategy, not an overnight fix.
Regularly update your site, publish fresh content, and monitor your progress in Google Search Console. Over time, you’ll see your visibility grow.
Step 8: When to Ask for Expert Help
If your website is not showing up on Google despite following these steps, it may be time to seek expert help. Technical SEO, content strategies, and backlink campaigns can be complex, and sometimes a professional eye makes all the difference.
👉 For tailored advice and affordable solutions, check out Digital Design Online.
Having your website not showing up on Google is a frustrating situation, but it’s not permanent. By checking indexing, fixing technical issues, improving content, and building authority, you can get your site visible and climbing the rankings.
Remember: SEO is about both pleasing Google and providing value to your customers. If you focus on both, your site will earn the visibility it deserves.
At Digital Design Online, we create affordable, modern websites that are designed to perform — not just look good. We ensure your site is fast, SEO-friendly, and visible in search engines, helping you attract real customers.
📧 Got questions? Contact us today at hello@digitaldesignonline.co.uk for free advice, or to chat about your next project.
