Learn / Google
What makes a small business website show up on Google
By Kaylee Dalke
When someone searches "wedding planner Eastern Oregon" or "boat tours near Lewiston," Google is picking the best match nearby. Nobody can honestly promise you the top spot. But you can make it really easy for Google to understand who you are.
Page titles
Every page has a title: the blue link in Google results. A good one says what and where, like "Guided Fishing Trips in Hells Canyon | Your Business Name." A title that just says "Home" tells Google nothing. Give each page its own title and a short description.
Your Google Business Profile
This is the free listing that shows up on Google Maps. If you haven't claimed yours, do it! Fill in your hours, phone, service area, photos, and website.
Ask happy customers for reviews, and reply when they leave one. It shows a real person runs the business.
Local info on your website
Say plainly where you are and where you work: your town, the towns you serve, your phone number, and your hours. Use the same name, phone, and address everywhere online so it all matches.
Behind-the-scenes code (called schema) also hands Google your name, location, and contact info. Customers never see it, but it helps.
FAQs
Answer the questions customers ask you all the time. How much does it cost? How far do you travel? How do I book?
People search for exactly these, and AI tools like ChatGPT pull from clear answers too. Bonus: you stop answering the same text all week.
A few more things that help
- A fast site that works great on a phone
- Real photos of your business
- A page for each main service
- Your own domain name
Give it time
Google takes weeks to notice a new site, longer in a busy category. Keep your profile updated and keep collecting reviews.
Every site I build has all of this from day one. Want to know where your business stands right now? I'm happy to take a look.