What ‘Not Showing Up on Google’ Actually Means for Your Business
You’ve probably said it yourself, or at least thought it: “I need to get on Google.” Then maybe you added it to your to-do list. Then maybe it stayed there, gathering dust, because honestly, you’re not even sure what that means or how to know if you’re failing at it.
Here’s what I hear from a lot of women solopreneurs: they assume that if someone can’t find them on Google, their whole business is broken. Or they think they’re doing something wrong. Or they believe they’re invisible to the internet, period.
Let me name what’s really going on: you’re confused about what “being on Google” actually means, and nobody’s explained it to you in plain English. That confusion is creating anxiety that doesn’t match reality.
I’m going to untangle this for you. Because the truth is more nuanced, and honestly, a lot more hopeful.
The Difference Between Being ON Google and Being FOUND on Google
Here’s the distinction that changes everything: every website that exists is already “on Google.” Google has indexed it. Google knows it’s there. Your website is technically in Google’s database right now, whether you did anything special or not.
But “being found on Google” is different. That’s about whether someone searching for what you do can actually discover you in the results.
I make it easy, so let me break this down further. When someone types “life coach in Portland” into Google, or “brand strategy consultant,” or “website design for creative professionals,” Google runs through millions of indexed pages and shows the ones it thinks are most relevant. Your website might be indexed. But if it’s not showing up on page one, or even page three, then yes, your potential client isn’t finding you through that search.
That’s the opportunity we’re talking about. Not failure. Opportunity.
Why Your Website Might Not Be Showing Up (And It’s Probably Not What You Think)
A lot of business owners assume they’re not on Google because they didn’t do some magic SEO thing, or because they didn’t hire an expensive SEO company, or because their website is “too new.” Some of that can matter. But often, there’s a simpler story.
In my experience, here are the actual reasons women solopreneurs aren’t showing up in search results:
Your website doesn’t clearly say what you do. I can’t stress this enough. If your homepage is all about your journey, or your philosophy, or beautiful photos of you in nature, but a visitor lands on your site and doesn’t understand what you actually offer in the first 10 seconds, Google doesn’t understand it either. Google reads your website like a person would. If a person is confused, Google is confused. And if Google is confused, it doesn’t know how to rank you.
You don’t have enough words on your website. This surprises people. They think pretty and minimal equals better. But Google uses words to understand what your website is about. If your entire homepage is six sentences and a gorgeous image, you’re not giving Google much to work with. This doesn’t mean your site needs to be text-heavy or ugly. It means there needs to be enough actual content for Google to understand your expertise.
You’re using generic language. If every word on your website could describe a hundred other coaches or consultants, you’re blending in. Google (and humans) reward specificity. “I help women in their 50s navigate career transitions” gets ranked higher than “I’m a life coach dedicated to transformation.” One is specific. One could describe anyone.
Your website is technically broken in ways you can’t see. Maybe your site isn’t loading properly on mobile. Maybe the code is outdated. Maybe your images are so large they’re slowing the whole thing down. These technical things matter to Google’s ranking, and they matter to visitors too.
You don’t have an actual domain name that’s yours. If your website is still on a free platform (like wix.com/yourname or squarespace.com/yourname), you’re working against yourself. Not impossible, but harder. When your website lives on YOUR domain, it has better authority.
What “Getting Found” Actually Looks Like
Here’s the thing about Google search results: they’re not magic, and they’re not a level playing field. Google’s algorithm is designed to show websites that are well-built, clearly written, technically sound, and specific about what they offer.
This matters because it’s not about luck. It’s about strategy. When I work with my clients, the first thing we do is make sure the website itself is answering the questions Google (and real people) are asking. Then we make sure it’s technically solid. Then we make sure it actually reflects the specific thing the woman does, not generic “coaching” or “consulting.”
Here’s what doesn’t work: buying backlinks, keyword stuffing, or pretending to be something you’re not. Google is too smart for that now. What works is building a website that actually tells the truth about what you do, in a way that’s easy for both humans and Google to understand.
Many women find that once their website is clear, specific, and actually says what they do, they start showing up in search results naturally. Not always page one. But in the results. And that’s the difference.
The Real Question You Should Be Asking
Instead of “Am I on Google?”, the real question is: “When someone who needs what I offer searches for it, can they find me?”
That depends on a few things:
How specific is your niche? If you’re a business coach who works with anyone in any industry, you’re competing with thousands of other coaches for generic keywords. If you’re a business coach who specializes in helping retail shop owners transition to online sales, you’re in a smaller, more specific pool. Google favors specificity.
How much are other people talking about you online? This is different from Google search. But it matters. If you don’t have any reviews, any mentions, any social presence at all, Google has less information about you. This doesn’t mean you need a TikTok account. It means a few Google reviews or a mention or two helps.
Is your website actually good? And I don’t mean beautiful (though that helps). I mean, does it load fast? Does it work on phones? Are the words clear? Is it organized? These are technical things, and they directly impact ranking.
Are you trying to rank for impossible keywords? If you’re a fairly new consultant and you’re trying to rank for “best consultant in the world,” you’re not going to win. But “consultant for women in their 50s” is doable. “Small business strategy” is not. “Small business strategy for creative professionals” is more doable. Specificity is your friend.
Here’s What You Actually Control
This is where I want to shift the energy, because a lot of women feel helpless about Google. Like it’s some mysterious force deciding their fate.
It’s not.
You control your website. You control what words are on it. You control whether it’s clear or confusing. You control whether it actually reflects who you are and what you do. You control your domain name, and your passwords, and your basic website health.
That’s a lot of control, actually.
What you don’t control is Google’s algorithm. What you don’t control is how many competitors are out there, or what they’re doing. What you don’t control is whether someone in your town chooses you or someone else. But you can give yourself the best shot by having a website that actually works.
Own your sh!t. Own your domain name. Own your website. Own your clarity about what you do. That’s where the power is.
The Path Forward
If you’re worried about showing up on Google, here’s what I’d do, in order:
Make sure your website clearly says what you do. Not who you are, not your story, but what you actually offer. What result does someone get from working with you? Who do you work best with? That should be obvious within 10 seconds of landing on your site.
Use specific language. Stop saying “coaching” and start saying “I help women navigate career transitions at 50+.” Stop saying “consultant” and start saying “I specialize in brand strategy for solopreneurs.” The Google algorithm, and real humans, will thank you.
Write more. Add real content to your pages. Not filler, but actual words that explain what you do and why it matters. Your homepage should be several hundred words, not several sentences.
Make sure your site is technical sound. This is where a lot of women get stuck, because they don’t know what “technical sound” means. It means it loads fast, works on phones, has working links, and doesn’t have broken images.
Get on your own domain. If your website is still on a free platform, moving to your own domain is one of the best investments you can make.
The Bigger Picture
Here’s something nobody tells you: showing up on Google is one way to get found. But it’s not the only way, and honestly, it’s not always the fastest way for solopreneurs.
A lot of my clients do beautiful work without relying on Google search. They get clients through referrals, through networking, through being visible on social media, through their email list. Google matters, but it’s not the whole story.
What matters more than Google is having a website that feels like you, that clearly says what you do, and that’s technically solid enough to not embarrass you when you send someone the link.
Unlike a fairytale, the magic continues past midnight. Your website isn’t a one-time investment. It’s something you keep refining, updating, and owning. But it all starts with clarity and honesty about what you do and who it’s for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to show up on Google?
Every website gets indexed by Google pretty quickly, usually within a few days to a week. But showing up in search results when someone actually searches for what you do? That can take months. It depends on how specific your niche is, how clear your website is, and how competitive your keywords are. Patience is part of this game.
Do I need to pay for Google Ads to show up in search results?
No. Google Ads is a separate, paid option that puts you at the top of search results. Regular search results are free, but they take longer and require a solid website. You don’t need to pay to be found on Google, though many businesses do pay for Ads to speed things up.
What’s the difference between Google My Business and regular Google search?
Google My Business is your local listing. It shows up when someone searches “life coach near me” or “consultant in Portland.” Regular search is when someone searches for what you do without location. You want both, honestly. They serve different purposes.
Can I optimize my website myself, or do I need an expert?
You can definitely improve your own website. Making your message clear, using specific language, and writing more content are all things you can do. The technical stuff might need help, depending on what platform your site is on. Either way, it’s not magic. It’s just strategy and clarity.
If your website no longer feels like you, let’s talk about it – Book a Free Website Clarity Call with Beth →