You’ve poured hours into building your new website. It looks great, your friends love it… but there’s one big problem:
No one can find it.
Here’s a secret most small business owners don’t realize: if your website isn’t indexed by Google, it’s practically invisible. And that’s exactly what’s happening to a growing number of businesses that use third-party site builders like Canva, Square, or Wix.
The Hidden Problem: “Not Indexed” Means “Not Found”
Indexing is how Google knows your site exists. If Google hasn’t indexed your website, it simply won’t appear in search results no matter how beautiful or well-written it is.
Many third-party platforms like Canva, Square, Wix, Weebly, GoDaddy, or even Google Sites don’t automatically tell Google your site is live.
Some free versions live on subdomains (like yourbusiness.wixsite.com or my.canva.site/yourbrand), which means Google treats them as part of someone else’s website, not yours. Others block indexing by default until you connect a custom domain or verify ownership through Google Search Console.
It’s an easy mistake to make. Big names like GoDaddy or Wix make setup quick and simple. But unless you’ve customized your SEO settings or manually requested indexing, Google might not even know your business exists.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
As the holidays approach, online searches for “local businesses near me,” “gift cards,” and “holiday sales” skyrocket.
If your business isn’t visible on Google or Google Maps, you’re missing the people who are actively looking for what you offer right now. Even worse, if you haven’t claimed your Google Business Profile, you’re missing an easy way to appear in local search and build credibility with reviews, directions, and hours.
In small towns especially, visibility isn’t just nice to have, it’s survival. When customers can’t find you online, they often assume you’re closed or out of business.
Five Steps to Make Sure You’re Visible
- Check if your site is indexed.
Type site:yourdomain.com into Google.
If nothing appears, your site hasn’t been indexed. - Claim and verify your Google Business Profile.
This ensures your business shows up on Maps and in local search results. - Submit your site to Google Search Console.
Verify ownership and request indexing—it’s free and only takes a few minutes. - Use a custom domain.
A branded domain like yourbusiness.com looks professional and tells Google your site is unique, not a subpage of someone else’s platform. - Keep your content fresh.
Google rewards active websites. Adding regular updates—like blogs, photos, or announcements—helps your business stay relevant.
Want to Be Found Before the Holidays?
If you’re not sure where to start or want help optimizing your site and Google Business Profile, I can help make sure your business actually shows up where customers are searching.
👉 Contact Make It Memorable to schedule your visibility audit this week.
A beautiful website is a great start. But a visible website is what brings in customers.
Next week, I’ll share how to use AI tools to create authentic content that sounds like you, not like a robot—so once people find you, they connect.