The short answer: before your new site goes live, do four things. Verify it in Google Search Console. Submit your XML sitemap. Give each page one main keyword. Then write a clear meta title and description for every page. None of these cost money, and you don't need to be technical. They won't push you to the top of Google overnight. But they help Google find your site, understand it, and show it to the right people.
How do I tell Google my website exists?
Use Google Search Console. It's a tool from Google that costs nothing. It shows you how Google sees your site.
Here's how to start:
- Go to Search Console and sign in with a Google account.
- Add your site. Pick the Domain option if you can. It covers every version of your web address in one go.
- Prove the site is yours. Google gives you a short line of text to add to your domain settings. Whoever manages your domain can add it for you.
Google's own help page walks you through it: verify your site in Search Console.
Once that's done, Google will start sharing data with you. It can take a few days for anything to show up.
What is an XML sitemap and how do I submit it?
A sitemap is a list of all the pages on your site. It's written for search engines, not people. It helps Google find every page, even ones that aren't linked much.
Most websites make one for you. It's often at an address like yoursite.co.uk/sitemap.xml. Type that into your browser to check.
To submit it:
- Open Search Console.
- Go to Sitemaps in the menu.
- Paste in your sitemap address and press Submit.
You only need to do this once. When you add new pages, a good sitemap updates itself. Google explains more here: the Sitemaps report.
How do I choose a keyword for each page?
A keyword is the search you want a page to show up for. Think about what a customer would type into Google.
Keep it simple:
- One main search per page. Your home page might be "plumber in Croydon". Your boiler page might be "boiler repair Croydon".
- Don't let two pages chase the same search. If they do, they compete with each other.
- Use your customers' words, not your trade's words. People search "leaky tap", not "valve seat failure".
Not sure how many people search for something? Google Keyword Planner can help. It costs nothing if you have a Google Ads account, and you don't have to spend anything on ads.
Once you've picked a keyword, use it naturally. Put it in the page heading and in the first few lines. Don't repeat it over and over. Write for people first.
How do I write a meta title and description?
The meta title and description are what people see in Google's results. The title is the blue link. The description is the short line under it. They're often the first thing a customer reads about you.
Some simple rules:
- Title: under 60 characters. Put the keyword near the start, then your business name.
- Description: about 140 to 160 characters. Say what the page offers and why someone should click.
- Make every page different. Don't copy the same title onto every page.
Here's an example for a made-up business:
Before: Home | Welcome to our website
After: Boiler Repair in Croydon | Smith Heating Boiler repairs across Croydon. Clear prices, tidy work and a friendly local engineer. Call or book online today.
The "after" version tells Google and the customer exactly what the page is about.
How long until my site shows up on Google?
There's no set time. It can take days, and sometimes months, for a new site to show up. A site with no history usually takes longer.
These four steps don't guarantee a ranking. Nobody can honestly promise that. What they do is remove the things that stop Google finding and understanding your site. After that, helpful pages and patience do the rest.
For more, see Google's own SEO Starter Guide. If you're still choosing who builds the site, our ten questions for a web designer in London help with that.
Does Tarquin & Gunn do this on its builds?
Yes. We do all four steps for every client, on every build, before the site goes live. You can read how our build process works, and see our packages and prices.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pay for Search Console?
No. Search Console costs nothing.
Do I need to resubmit my sitemap every time I add a page?
Usually not. Most sitemaps update themselves, and Google checks them again.
Will these steps get me onto page one?
Not on their own, and no one can promise that. They help Google find and understand your site. Good, helpful pages do the rest over time.
Does my web designer do this for me?
Ask them. Some do, some don't. It's worth checking before your site goes live.