Not Showing Up on Google? 3 SEO Fixes for Your Small Business Website
- Kate Hulbert
- May 25
- 3 min read
If your website isn’t showing up on Google, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either. Visibility in search results is one of the most important (and affordable) ways to grow your business online. Whether you’re running a service-based business in Bozeman or launching an online store, here are three easy steps to help Google find (and rank) your site.
📂 Submit Your Sitemap
Think of your website like a store, and your sitemap as the floor plan. It shows Google what rooms (pages) exist, how they're connected, and what is inside each one. Your website likely already has a sitemap—just visit www.yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml to check.
Once you have your sitemap link:
Copy your site map link (www.yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml)
Go to Google Search Console (If you haven't signed up yet, do it—it's free and a great tool to have in your toolbox!)
In your Google Search Console dashboard, click "Sitemaps" on the left.
Paste in your sitemap link hit submit
That’s it! Submitting your sitemap tells Google you exist, and helps your site get indexed faster!
📛 Check Page Titles & Meta Descriptions
If you don’t tell Google what your pages are about, it won’t know how to show them to the right people. Page titles and meta descriptions are what show up in search results—basically, your website’s first impression.
Page Title
The page title is the clickable headline in search results - it tells Google and users what your page is about.
Tip: Keep it short and clear. (Under 60 characters) and use the terms you want users to find you for. i.e Marketing Company in Bozeman
Meta Description
The meta description is a short blurb just under the title in search results. This should explain what is on that specific page of your website – and make people want to click.
Tip: Think of it like a mini-ad—make it enticing and clear. Keep it under 155 characters and focus on what the visitor will gain.
Sample Titles & Meta Descriptions:
Home Page
Title: Bozeman Marketing Company | Digital Marketing for Small Businesses
Meta: Affordable websites, SEO, and social media management to help small businesses grow online.
About Page
Title: About Us | Bozeman Marketing Company
Meta: Meet the team behind Bozeman Marketing Co. Passionate about helping small businesses succeed.
Services Page
Title: Marketing Services in Bozeman | Websites, SEO & More
Meta: Explore our digital marketing services for small businesses—from strategy to execution.
Testimonials Page
Title: Reviews | What Small Business Owners Say About Us
Meta: Hear from real clients who trust Bozeman Marketing Company with their online presence.
🌍 Make Sure Your Google My Business Profile is Optimized
A Google My Business profile is like a digital business card – except people actually see it! This is a necessary piece to getting found on Google, it’s free and it only takes a few minutes to set up.
Here are a few tips to optimize your Google My Business Profile:
📍 Address
Only list a physical address if customers visit you there.
If you go to them (like a plumber or cleaner), list your service area instead.
⏰ Business Hours
Be accurate and consistent with what’s on your website and other platforms.
Update it for holidays or special hours.
📞 Phone Number
Use a number that gets answered quickly or goes to voicemail with a clear message.
🌐 Website
Include your main website link.
🖼️ Photos
Add real photos of:
Your team
Your workspace or shop
Before-and-after shots (if relevant)
Products or services
Update them regularly to look active and trustworthy.
✨ Category
Choose the most specific business category available.
E.g., use “Family Law Attorney” instead of just “Lawyer”
💬 Customer Reviews
Ask happy customers to leave honest reviews.
Always respond — say thank you for good ones and stay calm and helpful with critical ones.
Love the idea of showing up on Google—but not the tech that comes with it? That’s where we come in. If you’re ready to hand off the SEO stress, we can take it from here—so you can focus on running your business, not decoding algorithms.
Or, if you want more quick tips for boosting your online presence, follow us on Instagram. We are always posting tips like this to help your small business grow.
