You’ve built your website that looks superb.
You’ve written the some excellent content.
You’ve waited weeks, or is it months?
And still—nothing.
You’re not on page one. You’re not even on page two.
You’re buried so deep even you can’t find your own site.
So what’s going wrong?
Here’s what to check—before you start blaming the search engine algorithm.
Your Site Loads Like It’s 1999
People click, wait… and leave.
Google tracks that. If your site’s slow, it gets pushed down the rankings list.
What to do:
- Compress your images
- Remove clunky scripts and pop-ups
- Use proper hosting (not the £1.99 a month shared type)
Your site should load in under 3 seconds. Any longer, and you’re done.
You’re Targeting the Wrong Search Terms
You’re trying to rank for “shoes” when you sell handmade vegan clogs in Norwich.
You need to be specific. Not “what people search.” What your ideal buyer types into Google at 11pm on payday.
Fix it by:
- Using long-tail keywords
- Adding local terms if you’re location-based
- Writing like a human, not a robot
“Handmade clogs for vegans in Norwich” will beat “shoes” every time.
Your Content Is Thin
Does your site have ten pages that say the same thing?
That’s not SEO. That’s padding.
Google wants useful answers. So give them:
- Real detail
- Questions people actually ask
- Answers written for humans, not bots
If your page is shorter than your local takeaway menu, it needs work.
You’ve Got Broken Links or Missing Pages
404 errors, broken links, or dead ends all send one signal to Google:
This site doesn’t get looked after.
Run a crawl with free tools like Screaming Frog. Fix what’s broken. Clean up the mess.
You’ve Ignored Your Meta Tags
Every page needs a meta title and description. Otherwise, Google guesses. And it often guesses wrong.
Make them:
- Short (under 60 characters for titles)
- Specific
- Written to make someone click
No clickbait. Just clear answers to clear questions.
You’ve Got No Backlinks
If no one links to your site, Google assumes no one cares.
Start small:
- Get listed in proper directories
- Write guest posts
- Ask your suppliers or customers to link back
No need to beg. Just offer value.
Your Competitors Are Doing It Better
Sometimes, it’s not that you’re bad. It’s that they’re better. Maybe they are using a great agency like The Search Equation, or Best Freelance SEO.
Use tools like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs. Look at what they’re ranking for. Look at what you’re missing. Then do it better.
More useful. More relevant. More honest.
Don’t Just Sit There
Ranking on Google isn’t magic. It’s not reserved for tech geniuses or million-pound brands.
It’s simple:
- Know your audience
- Write for them
- Make it fast
- Keep it tidy
- Get a few links
And do it consistently.
Your site doesn’t need to be perfect.
It just needs to be better than the one above you.
