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If you’re a local business trying to improve your digital marketing efforts, it can be frustrating to find that your website isn’t showing up on Google. There could be a variety of issues triggering this to happen; luckily, with the help of local SEO services, you’ll be able to rise in the search engine ranks in no time. Without further ado, we’ll be taking you through some of the most common reasons why your website may not be displaying on Google and how to fix them!
Google May Not Be Crawling Your Site
A common reason your site is not showing up on Google is that something may be blocking the search engine from crawling your site. Most websites have a “robots.txt” file, which tells search engines where they can’t go on your site. Essentially, this means that Google cannot crawl any URLs that are blocked in your “robots.txt” file.
Luckily, this is an easy fix. Google Search Console can alert you of any issues related to a “robots.txt” file. Simply navigate to your Coverage report and look for an error called “submitted by URL blocks by robots.txt.” After this, you’ll need to remove any directives blocking the URLs you want to show up on Google. Navigating these files can get complex sometimes – so if you’re in doubt about any aspect of this process, it’s best to consult a local Orange County SEO agency, like IDG Advertising, to help you get the job done.
Your Site Could Have A Penalty
Penalties can cause your site not to rank in Google search results. These penalties can occur if your site doesn’t meet Google’s quality guidelines and can be temporary or permanent.
Different types of Google penalties include:
- Deindexed – Google has completely wiped your domain from search results.
- Penalized – Your domain still exists, but your pages cannot be found via a direct search. This penalty can be a result of an algorithm update, or it can be manually applied by Google.
- Sandboxed – A sudden drop in your Google traffic without your page being deindexed or penalized.
To stay up to date on the status of your site, be sure to regularly check Google Search Console for penalty alerts. If your site is penalized, you’ll need to take steps to modify your site to meet the guidelines set forth by Google. After this, you can then submit your site for reconsideration to rank on Google.
Your Site Does Not Have High-Quality Backlinks
When determining which websites appear in their search results and in what order, one of the main factors that Google considers is backlinks and authority. Backlinks from other sites show Google that your page is trustworthy and valuable. If your site is having difficulty ranking on Google, you may need to add more backlinks to your website’s content.
Here are some tips on how to earn more backlinks organically:
- Ask existing partners for backlinks
- Ask influencers and social media users who mention your brand across platforms to link to your site
- Create helpful and impactful content that people want to link to
- Participate in interviews, blog posts, and online collaborations, providing a link to your site where relevant
You Need To Revisit Your Keyword Usage
Contrary to popular belief, it actually is possible to oversaturate your content with keywords that are too competitive. Trying to rank for highly competitive keywords, especially when competing with bigger brands and industry leaders, can be counterproductive. Instead, consider using long-tail specific keywords that contain three or more words.
For instance, if someone uses the keyword “digital marketing,” it can be hard to determine exactly what they hope to find in their Google search since this is a broad search term. Is this person searching for a digital marketing agency for a project? Are they looking to start a career in digital marketing? Do they need tips on starting a digital marketing agency?
On the other hand, if a user searches for the long-tail phrase “digital marketing agency in Orange County,” it becomes clear that they’re searching for a digital marketing agency based in Orange County to assist with their digital advertising needs. Digital marketing companies in Orange County will have an easier time ranking on Google with this long-tail phrase, and they can craft content that matches this intent.
A successful SEO campaign requires intensive keyword research utilizing tools such as Keyword Tool, SEMRush and Google Keyword Planner. Plan to target less competitive, long-tail phrases to rank higher on Google and ultimately reach more customers.
You Need To Enhance Your Site’s User Experience (UX)
If your site doesn’t provide a quality user experience (UX), it can be difficult to rank anywhere on Google. Retention is key, and if users have a less-than-optimal experience on your site, they’ll hit the back button right away, signaling to search engines that your site shouldn’t rank.
Luckily, a few easy fixes can improve your site’s UX, including:
- Speeding up your site’s load time using page optimization services
- Streamlining your navigation process, making it easier to find information
- Including eye-catching visual elements to break up content and keep the user engaged
SEO Agencies in Orange County, CA
Need help to propel your site to the top ranks of Google? Our Orange County digital marketing company can help! At IDG Advertising, we specialize in providing web development, local SEO services, and digital marketing assistance to businesses just like yours. With over 20 years in the industry, we pride ourselves on our reputation as one of Orange County’s leading digital marketing agencies. Contact us today at 714-221-4377 or fill out our contact form to speak to one of our digital marketing experts about how we can elevate your brand presence!
