Why Your Wellbeing Website Isn’t Appearing on Google (And How to Fix It)
Having the confidence to pursue your dream of running a business that helps people feel better in themselves can be so daunting. Suddenly you’re expected to build a website, manage bookings, deal with Stripe, insurance, accountants, canva, reels… the list could go on. You’ve finally finished that website you spent far longer than you anticipated on…. and then what? It’s totally crickets. After a flurry from friends and family who say all the right things…. suddenly nothing. And you worry it was all a waste of time. Launching a new wellbeing website is exciting — but it can be frustrating when it doesn’t appear in Google search results. You’ve worked hard on your pages and design, yet it feels like no one can find you online.
The good news? Most issues preventing your site from being indexed are simple to address. This guide will walk you through the common reasons your site isn’t showing up and practical steps to fix it. This is what I do every single day. You’re not alone!
Why Ranking on Google Matters
Though we might think a lot of our business will come from social media…. actually in many cases people are Googling to research what you offer that they need. There are thousands of monthly searches for “pilates in Manchester” “yoga in Devon” “massage in Bristol.” Most visitors never scroll past the first few entries of search results. The top three listings alone attract the majority of clicks. Appearing higher in Google not only brings more visitors but also establishes credibility for your wellness business.
For wellbeing websites, higher visibility can mean more class sign-ups, bookings, or newsletter subscribers, so getting it right is worth the effort.
Common Reasons Your Website Isn’t Showing Up
Even if your website is professionally designed and active, there are a number of reasons Google may not list it:
You haven’t verified your site with Google Search Console.
There are few or no backlinks pointing to your site.
The site or pages are password-protected.
Your content is too thin or minimal.
Your content doesn’t provide real value.
Your Google Business Profile isn’t set up.
Search engines are blocked from crawling your pages.
Technical SEO issues prevent indexing.
You’re targeting highly competitive keywords.
Google hasn’t had time to index your site.
Your website is new.
Let’s look at how to fix the most common problems.
1. Verify Your Site in Google Search Console
Google won’t index a site it doesn’t know exists. Signing up for Google Search Console and verifying your website is the first step. Once verified, submit your sitemap and request indexing for your key pages.
This also gives you access to insights about how Google views your site, including indexing issues, crawl errors, and search performance.
Luckily I have a blog on this >> What is Google Search Console and Why is it Important?
2. Build Backlinks
Backlinks, these are simply put links from other websites to yours and they help Google see your site as credible. Without them, your site may be overlooked.
For wellbeing businesses, you could:
Guest blog on wellness or lifestyle sites
Directory sites
Collaborate with local wellness directories or community pages
Exchange mentions with complementary services
High-quality backlinks help improve your search rankings over time.
Luckily I have a blog on this >> A Helpful Guide to Backlinks for Your Yoga or Pilates Business and en eBook Guide to Backlinks for Wellness Teachers
3. Remove Password Protection
If your website or specific pages are password-protected, Google cannot crawl or index them. This is common for private courses or member areas.
In Squarespace:
Go to Page Settings → Sharing & Permissions
Turn off Password Protection
Save changes and allow time for Google to update its index
4. Add More Content
Most folk fall into one of two camps, they write waaaay to much. Or they don’t write enough. ‘Thin content’ means you’re not writing enough and may prevent Google from ranking your pages. Aim for blog posts and pages that are comprehensive, ideally 500–2,000 words depending on the topic. You can split this up into sections so it’s highly readable, it doesn’t need to be a MASSIVE paragraph. And have clear calls to action to make it easy for people to book.
Content should address common questions, provide actionable advice, and guide visitors toward what they’re looking for.
5. Ensure Your Content Provides Value
Google ranks content that answers users’ questions and solves problems. Big amounts of content alone aren’t enough, you need to offer insights, clear guidance, and reliable information. So if someone is looking for Yoga for Beginner’s in Newcastle, does your page do the best job it possibly can at answering that question?
Check competitors in your niche to understand what readers expect, then provide even better, more helpful content.
6. Set Up Your Google Business Profile
For local wellness businesses, Google Business Profile is essential. People searching for yoga classes, massage therapists, or wellness coaches often click on these listings before visiting websites.
Ensure your profile is complete, accurate, and optimised to drive traffic directly to your site.
Luckily I have a blog on this >> How to Optimise your Google Business Profile for Yoga & Pilates Teachers AND I have an eBook style Google Business Profile Guide
7. Allow Search Engines to Crawl Your Website
If Google can’t access your pages, it can’t index them. Check for:
NoIndex tags in page SEO settings
Blocks in your robots.txt file
In Squarespace:
Go to Pages → Settings → SEO
Make sure Search Engine Indexing is enabled
8. Optimise Your Website for SEO
Crawlers look at more than content—they check technical aspects such as:
Keywords in titles and headings
Internal linking structure
Image alt text
Mobile responsiveness
Using an SEO checklist for Squarespace can ensure you don’t miss any crucial optimisations.
I have a mini course on SEO if all of this is making you feel really out of your depth, fear not! Here is the Guide to SEO for Wellness Pros
9. Target Achievable Keywords
If your keywords are highly competitive, it can be hard to rank. Instead, focus on more specific, local, or niche terms. For example: “restorative yoga in [Town]” or “mindfulness workshops near [Town]” are easier to rank for than broad terms like “yoga” or “wellness.”
I have a super new eBook on this, to help you work out how to Master Keyword Research for your Wellbeing Business
10. Be Patient
Even with perfect SEO, Google indexing takes time. New websites may take weeks or even months to appear in search results. Regularly add content, build links, and monitor your progress in Search Console. A website is never done! Just like your yoga practice.
11. New Websites Take Time
If your site is brand new, Google needs to see activity, backlinks, and traffic before ranking it. Consistency is key, keep producing content, engaging with your community, and promoting your website. Be patient.
Next Steps
If your wellbeing website isn’t appearing on Google, don’t panic. Most issues are easy to fix: verify your site, optimise content, build backlinks, and allow time for indexing.
Following these steps will help your site attract more visitors, grow your audience, and establish your authority in the wellness space.
For a step-by-step guide, check out our SEO course tailored specifically for wellbeing websites.
