SEO for a new website: the first 30 days

Last updated 12 October 2026 · By the XKey team

How long does it take Google to find a new website?

Usually a few days to a few weeks. You can speed it up by telling Google the site exists: verify it in Google Search Console, submit your sitemap, and use URL Inspection → Request indexing on your home page and main service pages. A link from somewhere Google already visits, such as your Google Business Profile or a supplier's site, helps too.

What should I check on launch day?

• The site isn't blocked. Many builders and developers hide sites from search while they're being built. Check with the robots.txt tester and the free SEO check, which flags a noindex tag.
• One secure address. http, https, www and non-www should all end at the same https:// address – test with the redirect checker.
• Every page has its own title and description. Not "Home" or the template's default.
• The site works on a phone and loads quickly.
• If this replaces an old site, every old address redirects to its new page – see redesigning without losing rankings.

Which pages should a new site have first?

A home page that says plainly what you do and where, a page for each main service or product type, an about page with real people and photos, and a contact page with your address, phone and opening hours. Then answer the questions customers ask most, one page or section each. The on-page SEO checklist covers what each page needs.

Why isn't my new site ranking yet?

Being indexed isn't the same as ranking. New sites usually appear first for their own name and very specific searches, then climb for broader searches as they earn trust. Expect a few months for competitive local searches. Search Console's Performance report will show the first searches you appear for, often within a couple of weeks.

How do I build trust from day one?

• Claim your Google Business Profile and link it to the site.
• Ask your first customers for reviews straight away – see how to get more Google reviews.
• Get your first links from people who already know you: suppliers, trade bodies, local groups, partners. See how to get backlinks.
• Add structured data describing your business with the schema generator.

What should I avoid with a new site?

Don't buy links or "SEO packages" promising instant rankings, don't copy text from competitors, and don't create dozens of near-identical town pages to look bigger. All of these can hold a new site back for a long time. Turn on weekly monitoring so you hear if something breaks while you're busy.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Google sandbox for new websites?

Google says there's no specific sandbox, but new sites naturally rank slowly because they have no links, reviews or history yet. Building those is what moves you up.

Should I launch with lots of pages or a few?

Launch with the pages that matter – home, services, about, contact – done well. Add more as you can make each one genuinely useful.

Do I need to submit my site to search engines?

Submitting a sitemap in Google Search Console is enough for Google. Bing Webmaster Tools works the same way for Bing, which also powers some AI search tools.