What does it mean to index your website in Google and why is it important?

If you have or are about to launch a website, you've probably heard the phrase, "Your site needs to be indexed in Google." But... what exactly does that mean, and why should you care?

In this article I explain in simple terms what SEO is, why it is key to your online visibility and how Squarespace (and me, as a web designer) can help you achieve it.

What is indexing?

When we talk about indexing a site in Google, we mean that Google "discovers" your page, understands it and includes it in its database so that it can appear in the search results.

It's like saying to Google: "Hello, this site exists. Here's my content. Show it when someone needs it."

What if my site is not indexed?

Simple: nobody can find it by Google.

You can have a beautiful and well-done site, but if it's not indexed, it's like having a store hidden in an alley with no signs. Only the people you pass the link to will see it.

How does Squarespace help me?

One of the reasons I choose Squarespace is because it makes basic SEO and indexing so much easier:

✓ It has built-in tools for adding titles, descriptions and keywords.
✓ Automatically creates a sitemap.xml file that Google can read.
✓ Optimizes your site for mobile devices (which Google values highly).
✓ And you can easily connect your site to Google Search Console.

What do I do as a designer?

When I create your Squarespace site:

✓ I make sure each page is optimized with the correct texts for Google.
✓ I enable visibility for search engines.
✓ I connect your site with Google Search Console so it gets indexed correctly.
✓ And if you want, I teach you how to check yourself how it is working.

In summary:

Indexing your website is like putting a giant sign on the busiest digital avenue: Google.
It is the first step for new people to find you, get to know you and become interested in what you do.

If you don't have a website yet, or you don't know if yours is indexed well, write to me at pilar@psiwebdesign.com! I'm here to help you create a beautiful, functional site that Google will actually see.