You can have a beautiful website, but if people can’t find it on Google, it won’t bring you new customers. The good news is that two free tools from Google make a real difference, even for small businesses: Google Search Console and Google Business Profile.
In this beginner’s guide, we explain what each tool does, how to set it up, and a few simple habits that help your business get found on Google.
How Google finds your website
Before your website can appear in search results, Google needs to discover it, understand what it’s about, and decide which searches it’s a good match for. Google does this automatically, but you can help it along by:
- Telling Google your website exists
- Giving it a map of your pages, called a sitemap
- Making each page clearly about one topic
- Keeping your business details consistent everywhere online
That’s exactly where Search Console and Business Profile come in.
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is a free tool that shows how your website performs in Google search. It tells you:
- Which searches people use to find your website
- How often your pages appear in the results, and how often people click
- Whether Google has found and indexed all of your pages
- Any problems that might stop pages from showing up, like errors or mobile issues
Think of it as a direct line between your website and Google.
How to set up Google Search Console
- Sign in. Go to Google Search Console and sign in with your Google account.
- Add your website as a property. The Domain option covers every version of your site but needs a DNS record from your domain provider. The URL prefix option can be verified with a short HTML tag on your website.
- Verify that you own the website. If you use WordPress with an SEO plugin such as Rank Math or Yoast, you can usually paste the HTML tag straight into the plugin’s settings.
- Submit your sitemap. Under Sitemaps, enter your sitemap address, often sitemap_index.xml or sitemap.xml, and click Submit.
Data starts to appear within a few days. After a few weeks, you’ll have a clear picture of how people find you. Search Console setup is included in every website package we build, so your site is connected to Google from day one.
What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is the listing that appears on Google Maps, and in the panel next to the search results, when someone searches for your business name or for something like “web designer near me”. It shows your opening hours, location or service area, photos, reviews, and a link to your website.
For many local and service businesses, this profile is seen more often than the website itself.
How to set up your Google Business Profile
- Sign in. Go to Google Business Profile and sign in with your Google account.
- Find or create your business. Search for your business name. If a listing already exists, claim it. If not, create a new profile.
- Choose a category. Pick the one that best describes your business. You can add extra categories later.
- Add your location or service area. If you visit clients or work online and don’t want your address shown, choose a service area instead.
- Add your contact details. Include your phone number, website, and opening hours.
- Verify your business. Google offers different verification methods, such as a phone call, email, or a short video, depending on your business.
- Complete your profile. Add a description, photos, and your services.
Simple habits that help you get found on Google
- Ask happy clients for reviews. Reviews build trust and help your profile stand out. Reply to every review, positive or negative.
- Keep your details consistent. Use the same business name, address, and phone number on your website, your Google profile, and your social media.
- Write for real searches. Use the words your customers actually type, like “website designer for small businesses”, in your page titles, headings, and text.
- Give every page a clear purpose. A dedicated page for each service helps Google understand what you offer.
- Make sure your site is fast and works well on phones. Google pays close attention to the mobile experience.
- Add fresh content. Helpful blog posts, like this one, give Google more reasons to show your website.
How long does it take to show up on Google?
New websites can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to appear in Google, and ranking for competitive searches takes longer. SEO is a long game: small, consistent improvements add up over the months.
If you’d like a website that’s set up properly for Google from the start, take a look at our website packages or get in touch. We’ll make sure your site, Search Console, and the SEO basics are in place, so you can focus on running your business.
Is your website ready for the visitors Google sends you? Here are 7 signs your business has outgrown its website.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Search Console free?
Yes. Google Search Console and Google Business Profile are both free to use.
Do I need both Search Console and a Business Profile?
They do different jobs. Search Console helps your website perform in search results, while a Business Profile helps you appear on Google Maps and in local searches. Most small businesses benefit from both.
Can I set these up myself?
Yes, both tools are designed for business owners. If you’d rather not deal with the technical side, we set up Search Console as part of every website we build.
