Getting Your Site Ready for Google: The Pre-Launch SEO Setup Guide
- Lachlan Martin
- Aug 5
- 8 min read
Your domain is the key. Your keywords are the door. But you’re stuck outside — and Google’s not letting you in.
You’ve got the right keywords.
You’ve got a new domain.
But you’re still not ranking — because Google doesn’t trust you yet
That’s because SEO doesn’t start the day you launch. It starts the day Google first sees your website — and whether you show up later depends on what you do in those early days.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to get your website ready for Google before your business launches — so you’re not invisible when it matters most.
The Biggest Mistake New Business Owners Make
We hear it all the time:“Once my website is live, Google will just find it automatically, right?”
Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.
Publishing your site is just the first step — if you don’t actively help Google discover and trust it, your website could remain invisible for weeks or even months.
Google takes time to crawl, index, and trust new websites. If you wait until your business launches and then build your site, you’re already behind. Every week you delay means another week your site isn’t showing up in search results.
If I Knew Then What I Know Now…
I’d get my domain and website up immediately. Like, as soon as I decide to start the business — not weeks or months later.
You don’t need a perfect website. You don’t need every page polished or every word written. Just get something live — a simple homepage, a contact page, maybe one service page.
Because here’s the hard truth:
Just starting your business doesn’t mean your website will magically be ready or even found by Google.
Google takes time to discover and trust new sites. The longer you wait, the longer you stay invisible.
And every week that passes with no website, no traffic, and no leads? You’re burning money.
Not just the money you spent on setup or marketing, but potential customers you’re missing out on — clients your competitors are capturing instead.
Every week you wait is a lost opportunity. The one after that too.
Getting your site live early isn’t about perfection — it’s about momentum.
It’s about telling Google, “I’m here, I’m real, and I’m open for business.”
Even If Your Website Isn’t Fully Ready — Get It Live Anyway
I get it. Sometimes your site feels like it’s not truly ready. Maybe your design isn’t perfect, or your content isn’t polished. That’s okay.
You can host your site on cheaper, simpler platforms early — WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or even a basic landing page builder — and migrate to a better setup later.
The important part is getting your domain and website live ASAP so Google can start finding and trusting your site.
Here’s the kicker — we don’t know exactly how long Google will take to crawl and rank you. Sometimes it’s weeks. Sometimes months. It’s hard to say.
I’ve been in the same position. Multiple websites launched with minimal content or rough designs.
Now, when I start a new site, I tell myself: “Wait four months before expecting real rankings.”
That mindset keeps me focused on launching early and building momentum — because waiting for perfection only delays progress.
Step 1: Publish a Basic Website ASAP
You don’t need a fully loaded site. In fact, the best thing you can do is launch now with:
A homepage that explains who you are and what you do
An about page or section
A contact page with your phone number and email
One or two key service pages (even if the content is simple or draft)
This gives Google something real to crawl and start indexing — and it signals your site is active.
Step 2: Verify Your Site in Google Search Console
This is crucial but often overlooked.
Google Search Console (GSC) is your direct line to Google. It tells Google your site exists and helps you:
Submit your sitemap.xml so Google knows your site structure
Request manual indexing of new or updated pages
Monitor errors, security issues, and mobile usability
See what keywords bring traffic and how your pages rank
If you don’t verify your site here, you’re basically invisible to Google.
Step 3: Submit Your Sitemap and Request Indexing
Once your site is verified:
Submit your sitemap.xml in GSC
Use the “URL Inspection” tool to request indexing of your homepage and service pages
This actively tells Google to crawl your pages sooner rather than waiting to discover them on its own.
Step 4: Build Early Trust With Backlinks
Google trusts websites more when others link to them.
Start by creating backlinks from:
Your social media profiles (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram)
Business directories (ABN Lookup, Localsearch, TrueLocal)
Blogging platforms like Medium or LinkedIn articles
Relevant forums or communities with profile links
Even just 5-10 quality backlinks can help Google trust you faster.
Step 5: Publish Content Early — Even If It’s Simple
Content isn’t just for ranking — it shows Google your site is active and relevant.
Write blog posts like:
“Why I’m Starting This Business”
“Coming Soon: [Service] in [City]”
“How We Help [Target Audience]”
Keep it short and helpful. Fresh content means Google crawls your site more often and sees you as a real business.
Don’t Just Settle for a “Coming Soon” Page or Minimal Content
Launching with a bare-bones “Coming Soon” page or minimal placeholder content is one of the biggest mistakes new websites make.
Here’s why:
Google needs real content to understand what your site is about and to start trusting it. A blank or nearly empty page gives Google nothing to work with. That means your site stays invisible — no indexing, no rankings, no traffic.
Instead, aim to:
Publish meaningful content right away — even if it’s simple. A homepage, about page, and one or two key service pages are enough to get started.
Include links to your social media profiles. This helps Google associate your site with trusted, active platforms and signals you’re a real business.
Make sure your content answers basic questions about your business, your services, and how customers can contact you.
Get SEO-Optimized Early — Consider Investing in an SEO Package
Launching your website is just the beginning. To actually get found by your customers, you need more than just pages — you need solid SEO.
That’s why many smart business owners invest in a professional SEO package early in the process.
With the right SEO setup, you’ll:
Target the right keywords your customers are searching for
Optimize your content and site structure for search engines
Build quality backlinks that boost your site’s authority
Monitor your site’s health and track progress so you can keep improving
An early investment in SEO can save you months of waiting and help your website start driving real leads faster.
Real-World Examples: How Long Does It Take to Rank?
Every website’s journey is different, but here are a few examples from businesses we’ve worked with:
A gardening website in Sydney took about 4 months to start ranking well for competitive keywords in their area.
A branded search for a local business in Melbourne saw noticeable ranking improvements in just 2 months.
Our own new digital marketing agency website started ranking for long-tail keywords in around 33 days — proof that early momentum and solid setup really pay off.
These examples show that while ranking timelines vary, getting your site live and optimized early makes a huge difference.
Even If You’re Not Ready, Getting Early Calls Is a Good Problem to Have
One of the surprising things about launching early is this: you might start getting calls and inquiries before everything is perfect or fully ready.
Sure, you might have to turn some business away because you’re still setting up. But here’s the upside — those early calls prove your keywords are working.
That means your marketing is on point, your message is clear, and you’re already capturing demand.
It’s way better to have that early feedback and some real-world interest than to wait around hoping people find you later.
What If You Haven’t Done Any of This Yet?
If you haven’t verified your site in GSC, submitted your sitemap, or built any backlinks, Google probably hasn’t even found your website yet.
That means:
No rankings
No traffic
No leads
Even if your website is live, it’s invisible until Google indexes it and builds trust.
Your Website Launch Should Be Part of Your Business Plan
Every business has a plan — but surprisingly, most don’t think about their website launch early enough.
When we consult for SEO with clients, we’re usually the last thing on their minds. They focus on product development, marketing strategies, or sales — and forget that their website is the foundation everything else depends on.
Getting your domain live and your site up as soon as possible should be a key part of your business plan from day one.
The earlier you get online, the sooner Google can find you, start trusting your site, and help bring in your first customers.
What About the Google Sandbox?
Many new websites hit a “sandbox” period where Google watches them closely before ranking them higher. This is normal.
But the good news? Doing all the above reduces sandbox time dramatically. You can go from invisible to ranking in weeks, not months.
Why Speed Beats Perfection
Here’s the bottom line:
You don’t need a perfect website to start SEO. Waiting for perfection means waiting longer to be found. And that means lost customers and lost revenue.
Get your site live, get it indexed, build trust, and start showing up — then improve your site over time.
Ready to Get Your Website Ranking Faster? Book a Free SEO Consultation
Launching your website is just the first step — the right SEO strategy can make all the difference in how quickly you start attracting visitors and turning them into customers.
If you’re unsure where to start or want expert guidance to avoid common pitfalls, book a free SEO consultation with me.
During this no-obligation session, we’ll:
Review your website’s current setup and SEO readiness
Identify quick wins to help Google find and rank your site faster
Discuss a tailored SEO plan that fits your business goals and budget
Answer any questions you have about SEO, website launch, or digital marketing
Don’t let your website sit unnoticed. Let’s work together to build momentum from day one and get your business growing online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to rank?
Ranking timelines vary widely depending on your industry, competition, and how well your site is optimized. For most new websites, expect anywhere from 2 to 6 months before you see meaningful rankings and traffic. Some sites might rank faster for less competitive, long-tail keywords, while highly competitive niches take longer. The key is to start early and be consistent with SEO efforts.
What’s the difference between indexing and ranking?
Indexing is when Google discovers your website pages and adds them to its database. If your pages aren’t indexed, they won’t appear in search results at all.
Ranking refers to the position your indexed pages hold in search results for specific keywords. You can be indexed but rank poorly if your SEO isn’t strong or if your site lacks authority.
Can I do SEO myself?
Absolutely! Many basic SEO tasks like optimizing page titles, writing good content, and submitting your sitemap can be done yourself, especially for smaller or local websites. However, SEO can get complex when it comes to technical issues, backlink building, and advanced strategy. If you’re serious about growing your business online quickly, hiring an SEO consultant can save you time and get better results.
Should I hire an SEO consultant now or later?
The best time to hire an SEO consultant is as early as possible — ideally before or during your website launch. Early SEO guidance helps you avoid common mistakes, set up your site properly, and build momentum from day one. Waiting too long can mean lost opportunities and extra time catching up later.
Final Thoughts
SEO doesn’t start the day you launch. It starts the day Google first finds your website.
Don’t let your website be the bottleneck in your business launch.
Publish early. Verify your site. Build trust. Publish content. And watch your rankings grow.
Written by Lachlan Martin at The LachlanMartin
I’ve launched websites from scratch, worked with businesses across Australia, and seen first-hand how critical those early days are for SEO. The sooner you take action, the sooner Google can trust your site — and the faster you’ll start attracting real leads.
If you’re serious about getting your website found online, don’t wait.
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