You’ve built a website… now what? How to actually get people to visit it
There’s a common misconception that once your website is live, the enquiries will start rolling in.
If you already have an engaged audience – people who know and love your work and are just waiting for a better way to connect with you – then yes, a beautiful, streamlined website can have an immediate impact to your business sales.
However, if you're just starting out or haven't built an online presence yet, that’s generally not how it works.
For many small business owners, simply having a website isn’t enough. You need a plan for how people are going to find it.
That’s why, on every sales call, I ask two simple questions:
How do people currently find your business?
How do you intend to get people to your website once it’s ready?
These two questions bring a lot of clarity and help to identify gaps. Because your website can only do its job – educating, building trust, and converting – if people are actually landing on it.
And one of the most effective ways to help people find your website is through search engine optimisation (SEO).
Below are a few simple, foundational steps you can take to improve your discoverability.
Table of Contents
Speak your audience’s language
Keyword research helps you understand the exact language your ideal clients are using to search for services like yours, the problems they want to solve, and the needs they’re hoping you’ll meet.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or – my favourite – the SEOSpace Keyword Explorer (that’s an affiliate link btw) to find these keywords.
Once you’ve uncovered the right keywords, you can thoughtfully weave them into your website content – especially your headlines, paragraphs, and page titles. That way, search engines can better match your website to the right people at the right time.
Without keyword research, you’re guessing. With it, you’re strategically positioning yourself to be found.
Don’t forget your location – especially if you work locally
If your business is location-based (e.g. photographer, interior designer, wellness practitioner), local SEO can be a game-changer – but so many people forget to include their location on their website.
Adding your location throughout your site (in your homepage content, footer, sales pages, contact page, and in your SEO titles and meta descriptions – more about those in a minute) gives search engines the context they need to include you in local search results. And because local searches tend to be less competitive, it’s easier to show up.
As an example, I created my Brisbane Squarespace website designer page for my own business and now rank on page one for that search term – even though I also work with clients worldwide.
If you want to attract people in your local area, you need to tell both Google and your visitors where you’re based.
Headlines matter
One of the most common mistakes I see when I’m carrying out website audits or reading DIY copy are websites with headlines that sound beautiful… but don’t actually tell you anything.
Headlines are one of the key things Google looks at to understand what your page is about. They’re also what your visitors skim when deciding if they’re in the right place.
So, ask yourself this:
If someone only read the headlines on this page, would they know what the service is, who it’s for, and where it’s offered?
If not, it’s time to update them. Use your keywords. Use plain language. Use your location, if relevant. Save the poetry for your brand voice – not your page headings.
Blogging (strategically)
Blogging is a brilliant way to improve your website’s discoverability – but only if you do it strategically.
Google favours websites that are updated regularly, and blog posts are one of the simplest ways to keep your site fresh. But many small business owners blog without direction and then wonder why it’s not working.
The key is to write blog posts that answer real questions your clients are already searching for. Think of your blog as a library of helpful, searchable content – content that meets your audience right where they are and gently guides them toward your services.
In my SEO packages for small businesses, I help clients brainstorm content ideas based on keyword research, common client questions, and SEO opportunities. When your blog has a purpose and a plan, it becomes one of the most powerful tools in your marketing toolkit.
SEO page titles and meta descriptions
Your SEO page title and meta description are what show up in Google search results – and they’re often the first impression people will have of your business.
Think of them like your digital shopfront: the bigger headline (your title) draws someone in and the description underneath gives them a reason to click.
Page title: This should include your main keyword (what someone might be searching for) and your location (if you’re location-based). Keep between 50-60 characters including spaces so it doesn’t get cut off.
Meta description: This is your 1–2 sentence summary of what the page is about. Include your keyword here too, and aim for 150–160 characters including spaces.
These can (and should) be updated manually for every page of your site. In Squarespace, you can set them easily by going into the settings for each page.
Spending five minutes writing a clear, keyword-aligned title and description for each page can make a huge difference in how often your website shows up – and how likely people are to click through.
Google Search Console – check what’s working
One of the best free tools to help you track your website’s performance is Google Search Console. Once you’ve connected your site, you can see which keywords are bringing people to your website, which pages are ranking well, and where you have opportunities to improve.
It’s like having a window into how people are finding you – or not finding you yet – and it gives you clear, practical insights into what to optimise next.
If you’re not sure how to get started, I’ve created a simple, beginner-friendly video tutorial on how to check your rankings in Google. It only takes a few minutes and can help you identify some quick SEO wins.
A calm, steady approach
SEO isn’t a quick-fix strategy. It’s a gentle, sustainable way to attract new clients without relying on social media algorithms, constant content creation, or a never-ending push to be visible.
For values-led business owners, SEO can feel like a breath of fresh air. It lets your audience find you — at the exact moment they’re ready. And that’s a lot more peaceful than shouting into the void of the internet.
Ready to make your website more discoverable?
If you’ve launched a beautiful website but no one’s finding it – you don’t necessarily need to overhaul everything. Small, strategic shifts can make a big difference.
If you’d like help getting started, explore our SEO packages — designed for wellness practitioners, creatives, and kind-hearted businesses who want a more sustainable way to grow.
