Ever get a report of your website traffic and wonder “why isn’t this site getting any traffic?” You’ve got lots of content, you’ve tuned for SEO but there still isn’t any traffic coming. This can happen sometimes, so here is what to look for.
1. Check your WordPress Settings
In WordPress there’s a setting under Settings > Reading that says “Discourage search engines from indexing this site.” If that box is checked, search engines like Google won’t crawl or show your site. Double-check it — you’d be surprised how often this is the culprit.
2. No Google Business Profile
If you’re a local business and you’re not on Google Business Profile, you’re missing out on huge visibility. A verified profile gets you in front of people searching “near me” and often shows up before websites in Google results. Think of it as your free digital storefront. If you set this up and tune it, you are in so much of a better position to be found online.
This is especially important for service-based businesses like contractors and coaches, where your construction website or coaching website often works hand-in-hand with your Google Business Profile to generate leads.
3. You haven't submitted your xml sitemaps to google search console
An XML sitemap is basically a roadmap of your website for search engines. It points to your pages and says, “Hey Google, crawl over here — these pages exist and are ready to be indexed.”
Many SEO plugins (like Yoast) automatically generate a sitemap for you, but you still need to make sure it’s submitted in Google Search Console. Both the sitemap and Search Console are completely free. Submitting one helps search engines understand your site faster and more thoroughly, which can mean more visibility over time.
If you’ve invested in a professional small business website like an accounting website, coaching website, or one of our nonprofit websites, submitting your sitemap ensures those key pages can actually be found.
4. You Don't have any BackLinks
Backlinks — other websites linking to yours — are like votes of confidence in Google’s eyes. If no one is linking to your site, search engines may assume it isn’t trustworthy or important yet. Here’s where you can build your backlinks:
- List your business in local directories such as chambers of commerce or industry directories
- Partner with other businesses for cross-promotion
- Contribute a guest blog post to get a link back
- News articles – Write press releases or submit your events to local TV stations for an easy backlink that can get a lot of visibility
For nonprofit websites in particular, backlinks from community partners, sponsors, and local organizations can significantly boost visibility and credibility.
Do you have any? Click the button below to check how many backlinks you have and where they are appearing right now for free.
5. You Haven’t Promoted It Yet
SEO is important, but so is just getting the word out. Share your site on social media, add it to your email signature, tell your friends, put it on your business cards, and ask happy customers to spread the word. Traffic often starts with you thinking of every opportunity to promote your site.
6. not enough content, or it's stale
Search engines love fresh, helpful content. If your site only has a few short pages or hasn’t been updated in years, Google has little reason to send people your way. Adding blog posts, FAQs, and resource pages can help build authority and attract traffic.
If your website isn’t getting a lot of traffic, no need to worry. You can fix this. With the right settings, and a little work, you’ll start to see momentum build. And if you’d like some help making sure your site is set up for success, that’s exactly what I do — building websites that not only look good, but also get found. Reach out today if you have questions or want some help.
