1. Tell Google that your website exists
Google finds new websites on its own, but it can take time. Google Search Console is a free tool that lets you prove you own your website and hand Google a list of every page. You add a small verification code to your website, then submit your sitemap, which is that list of pages.
Search Console then shows you which searches your website appears for, how often people click, and any problems Google has reading your pages.
2. Do the same for Bing
Bing Webmaster Tools is the free equivalent for Bing. If you have already set up Search Console, Bing can import your website and sitemap from it in a few clicks. Bing matters more than many people think: Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools draw on Bing's index when they answer questions.
3. Create your Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile is the panel that appears on Google Search and Google Maps with your business name, phone number, website and reviews. It is free. If you visit customers or work online rather than from a shop, choose a service business: your address stays hidden and you list the areas you serve instead.
Google asks you to verify that you run the business, often with a short video showing your area, your business name on something printed, and the equipment or accounts you use.
4. Give every page a clear title and description
Each page on your website should have its own title and a short description that says plainly what the page is about. These often become the words people see in search results, so write them for people first.
5. Keep your details the same everywhere
Use exactly the same business name, phone number and website address on your website, your Google Business Profile, social media and any directories. Consistent details help search engines trust that they all belong to one real business.
6. Ask real customers for reviews
Reviews on your Google Business Profile help you appear in local searches and help new customers decide. Ask customers who were happy with your work, and make it easy by sending them the link. Never buy reviews or write your own: it breaks Google's rules and can get your profile removed.
7. Answer the questions your customers ask
The pages that bring the most visitors are often the ones that answer a real question clearly. Think about what customers ask you before they buy, and answer those questions on your website in plain words.
How long does it take?
Searches for your business name usually start showing your website within days or a few weeks. Appearing for wider searches, such as your service and your town, takes months of steady work. Nobody can honestly guarantee a position on Google, so be careful of anyone who promises one.
Want help with this?
Tell us where your business is today and what you would like to achieve. We will reply within 24 hours and tell you honestly whether we can help.