If you’ve searched for your business on Google and can’t find your website, you’re not alone. Many small business owners in Ireland struggle with low or no visibility in Google search results.
The problem? If customers can’t find you online, they’ll find your competitors instead.
The good news is that this is usually fixable. Here are seven common reasons your website isn’t showing up on Google — and exactly how to solve them so you can start attracting more customers.
When you launch a new business website, it doesn’t appear on Google instantly. Search engines need to discover, crawl, and index it before it can show in results.
How to fix it: Submit your website to Google Search Console and request indexing to speed up the process.
Google relies on keywords and structured content to understand your site. Without on-page SEO — optimised titles, headings, meta descriptions, and image alt tags — Google may not know when to show your site.
How to fix it: Research relevant SEO keywords for your industry and location, then naturally add them to your pages.
More than half of web searches happen on mobile devices. If your site doesn’t work well on phones and tablets, Google is far less likely to rank it.
How to fix it: Use responsive web design so your site looks and works perfectly on all screen sizes.
A slow website hurts both user experience and search rankings. Google wants to show sites that load quickly because visitors stay longer.
How to fix it: Optimise image sizes, use a fast hosting provider, and remove unnecessary plugins or code.
Google rewards websites that publish useful, original, and relevant content. If your website only has a few short pages, it won’t compete in search results.
How to fix it: Create SEO-friendly content such as blog posts, FAQs, and detailed service pages targeting customer questions and local searches.
Without a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), it’s much harder to appear in local search results.
How to fix it: Set up a free Google Business Profile with your business name, address, phone number, website link, and high-quality photos. Keep it updated with posts and reviews.
Backlinks — links from other websites to yours — are one of the strongest ranking signals for Google. Without them, your site may struggle to compete.
How to fix it: Get listed in reputable local directories, collaborate with other businesses, and create shareable content that naturally earns links.
If your website isn’t showing up on Google, you’re missing out on valuable leads and sales. By fixing these issues, you’ll improve your online visibility, attract more visitors, and increase enquiries.
At SD Web Design, I help small businesses in Ireland create fast, SEO-optimised websites that rank higher on Google and generate more customer enquiries. If your site isn’t performing as it should, I can help you turn it into a lead-generating tool for your business.