Congratulations on launching your new website! This is an exciting milestone, and your site is a key tool for growing your business and attracting new customers. But you might be wondering, “What’s next?”
In this post, I’ll break down what you need to know about how websites work, how Google decides which sites to show in search results, and easy steps you can take to make sure your website performs its best—especially if you’re a small business or home service business owner.
What Is a Website?
Think of your website as your online storefront. It’s where potential customers can learn about your business, browse your services, and contact you. The best part? Your website is open 24/7. However, just like with a physical storefront, you need to help people find it.
How Does Google Find and Show Your Website?
When people search on Google, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. Here’s a simplified version of how it works:
- Google “Crawls” the Web: Google sends out software called “crawlers” to scan websites. These crawlers read your site’s content and take note of everything, including your text, images, and links.
- Google “Indexes” Your Site: After crawling, Google adds your website to its database, called the “index.” This is essentially Google’s giant library of websites.
- Google Matches Sites to Search Queries: When someone searches for something relevant to your business, Google looks through its index and decides which websites best match the searcher’s needs. The sites that Google thinks are most helpful will appear higher in search results.
So, how can you help Google see that your site is a good match for potential customers? Let’s look at some easy ways to improve your site’s chances of showing up in search results.
Easy Steps to Help Your Website Show Up in Search Results
1. Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
Google gives extra attention to local businesses, especially for searches like “electrician near me” or “landscaper in [your city].” Make sure you’ve claimed and updated your Google My Business profile. Be sure your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and services are all correct. Add posts, upload photos, and encourage customer reviews to keep your listing fresh. Create your business listing by clicking here.
2. Regularly Update Your Blog
Keeping a blog updated with fresh content is one of the best ways to help Google understand what your business does. Not only does it show Google that your site is active, but it also gives you a chance to answer common customer questions, share tips, and show off your expertise. In my opinion, the blog is the unsung hero of your website. I helped my exterior cleaning company rank to #1 in a saturated field for certain keywords and adding blog posts was a huge factor in that success.
You don’t need to be a professional writer—just share information that you already know about your industry. For example, if you’re a pressure washer, write about recent pressure washing projects you’ve completed or simple tips and tricks that a homeowner can implement to keep their home looking great. The more helpful your blog is, the more likely it will attract visitors and improve your search ranking.
Also, when you write a blog post, make sure you’re using the keywords you want to rank for. Use them in the title and throughout the post. But don’t over use them. Also, when you upload a photo, make sure the photo is named something useful and specific for what your keywords. For example, don’t upload an image file that’s titled DCN_1350.jpeg; instead, rename it before you upload and use your keywords like Roof_Cleaning_Akron_Ohio.jpeg. Then, after you upload that photo, change the ALT TEXT and description to match those keywords and service areas. Little things like this, done consistently over time are huge.
Check out this article by Hey Tony to read more.
3. Build Citations and Backlinks
Citations and backlinks are two of the most important factors Google looks at when ranking websites. A citation is when your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) appear on other websites, especially directories like Yelp, Manta, Angie’s List, or local chambers of commerce. Citations help Google verify that your business is legitimate and that you serve the local area.
NOTE: It’s very important that your NAP be consistent. Make sure it’s the same everywhere on the web.
Backlinks are when other websites link to your site. The more high-quality sites that link to yours, the more Google trusts your website. You can build backlinks by partnering with other local businesses, submitting your site to industry-specific directories, or even writing guest articles for other blogs.
4. Leverage YouTube for Project Updates
YouTube is a fantastic platform for showcasing your projects. Uploading videos of completed work (like a new home renovation, landscaping project, or even holiday lighting) not only shows off your expertise but also gives you a chance to reach a broader audience.
When you upload videos, make sure to write a detailed description that explains the project and includes a link back to your website. This creates another opportunity for people to find your site, and Google values these kinds of links.
Also… while you probably knew Google is the #1 search engine; did you know that YouTube is the #2 search engine?
So don’t just post a video, but use that opportunity to write a robust description…. think of it like another blog post… and include your keywords and service areas. Also, link back to your website!
And this doesn’t have to be fancy. But if you can get in the habit of taking some photos and video of every project you do; then upload that to youtube with a great description, linking back to your site, you’ll for sure see great results.
The Bottom Line: Take Action and Be Patient
A new website is a powerful tool, but it’s only the beginning. By taking small, simple steps like keeping your blog updated, building citations and backlinks, and using platforms like YouTube, you can improve your chances of showing up in search results.
Remember, it can take time for Google to fully index and rank your website, but with consistent effort, you’ll start to see the benefits.
To get immediate traffic, you may want to consider doing some Facebook or Google Ads. While organic SEO can take time, these forms of advertising can put you in front of your client right away.
If you ever need help with SEO, citations, or adding new content to your site, TradesPro SEO is here to support you!
