Introduction
For small business owners, having a website is just the first step. To attract visitors and potential customers, your website needs to appear in Google search results. But before that can happen, Google has to crawl your website. Crawling is the process by which Googlebot, Google’s web crawler, visits your pages to read and index them.
In this guide, we’ll show you practical steps on how to get Google to crawl your website, helping you improve your site’s visibility and search engine presence.
Understanding Google Crawling
Google uses bots to discover and scan web pages. When your site is crawled, Google collects information about your content and stores it in its index. Only indexed pages can appear in search results.
Several factors influence how often and how thoroughly Google crawls your site. These include your website’s structure, the presence of sitemaps, internal and external links, and the server’s response speed.
Step 1: Create and Submit a Sitemap
A sitemap is a file listing all the important pages on your website. It acts like a roadmap for Googlebot, making it easier to find and crawl your pages.
Most website platforms, such as WordPress, automatically generate sitemaps or offer plugins to create them. Once you have your sitemap (usually at /sitemap.xml), you should submit it to Google Search Console.
To check if your sitemap is correctly formatted and accessible, you can use free tools like the SEO Scan Lab Sitemap Checker. This tool helps ensure your sitemap follows standards and is free from errors.
Step 2: Use Google Search Console to Request Crawling
Google Search Console is a free tool that allows you to monitor your website’s presence in Google search results.
After verifying your website, you can submit your sitemap and use the URL Inspection tool to request indexing of individual pages. This is particularly useful for new or updated content.
Keep in mind, requesting indexing does not guarantee immediate crawling, but it signals to Google that your pages are ready to be discovered.
Step 3: Improve Internal Linking
Internal links connect your pages within your site. They help Googlebot navigate and discover new content.
Ensure your website has a logical structure where important pages are linked from your homepage or other key pages. Avoid orphan pages that have no links pointing to them, as these are difficult for Google to find.
For example, if you run a bakery website, your homepage might link to pages like “Cakes,” “Bread,” and “Contact Us.” Each of these pages should further link to related subpages or blog posts.
Step 4: Check Your Robots.txt File
The robots.txt file tells search engines which parts of your website they can or cannot crawl. A misconfigured robots.txt file can unintentionally block Google from crawling important pages.
To check your robots.txt file, enter yourwebsite.com/robots.txt in your browser. Make sure it does not disallow crawling of pages you want indexed.
For example, a line like Disallow: / blocks all crawling, which is usually not what small businesses want.
Step 5: Improve Website Performance and Mobile Usability
Google prefers websites that load quickly and are mobile-friendly. Slow loading times or poor mobile usability can reduce crawl frequency.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify performance issues. Optimise images, enable browser caching, and consider using a reliable hosting provider.
Also, ensure your website uses responsive design so it works well on smartphones and tablets.
Step 6: Acquire Backlinks
Backlinks from other websites help Google discover your site. When reputable sites link to your pages, Googlebot is more likely to crawl your site regularly.
Small businesses can build backlinks by networking locally, guest posting on relevant blogs, or participating in community events.
Step 7: Keep Your Website Updated
Regularly adding new content or updating existing pages encourages Google to crawl your site more often.
Consider maintaining a blog or news section with useful information related to your business. Fresh content signals that your site is active and worth visiting.
FAQ
Why is Google not crawling my website?
Possible reasons include a missing sitemap, blocked pages via robots.txt, slow website speed, or lack of backlinks. Checking these areas can help identify the issue.
How long does it take for Google to crawl a new website?
It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for Google to crawl a new site. Submitting a sitemap and requesting indexing via Google Search Console can speed up the process.
Can I force Google to crawl my website?
You cannot force Google, but you can encourage crawling by submitting sitemaps, improving site structure, and regularly updating your content.
Is having a sitemap essential for crawling?
While not strictly required, a sitemap greatly helps Google find and prioritise your pages, especially on larger or newer websites.
How often should I update my website to improve crawling?
There is no fixed rule, but consistently adding or updating content every few weeks can positively influence crawl frequency.
Conclusion
Getting Google to crawl your website is a fundamental step towards improving your online presence. By creating and submitting a sitemap, using Google Search Console, improving internal linking, checking your robots.txt file, enhancing site performance, acquiring backlinks, and keeping your site updated, you can encourage more frequent and thorough crawling.
For a practical start, try the SEO Scan Lab Sitemap Checker to ensure your sitemap is ready for Google. You can also explore a full SEO Scan Lab scan to identify other optimisation opportunities tailored to your website.
