Check website: 12 points owners can review themselves

Whether your website can be found, you can check yourself in an hour, without any specialist knowledge. The twelve points in this checklist cover the most common reasons why SME websites do not appear in Google and in AI answers: technical barriers, weak titles, content without clear answers, and missing contact options.

Many owners do not know whether their website is getting any visitors from search at all. The good news: for most checks, a Google search, the free Google Search Console, and a smartphone are enough. It is faster with our automatic SEO and GEO check.

Technical: Can Google read your website?

1. Is the website indexed by Google?

Enter “site:your-domain.de” in Google. If no pages or very few pages appear, something is fundamentally wrong, such as a block in robots.txt or a “noindex” directive.

2. Does the website run over HTTPS?

The padlock symbol in the browser indicates the encrypted connection. Without HTTPS, browsers warn visitors, and forms are insecure.

3. How fast does it load on mobile?

Open the website over a mobile network. If it takes more than three seconds for content to appear, many visitors will leave. More precise values are provided in the “Core Web Vitals” report in Search Console.

4. Is it usable on a smartphone?

Can the menu, phone number, and form be operated with the thumb? Is the text readable without zooming?

Appearance in search results

5. Do all pages have their own titles?

The page title is the blue headline in the search result. It should name the most important keyword at the beginning, be no more than about 60 characters long, and be different on every page. “Homepage” or just the company name wastes clicks.

6. Is there a description that encourages clicks?

The meta description appears below the title. 120 to 155 characters, with benefits and the keyword.

7. Is your Google Business Profile complete?

For local searches, the profile is often more important than the website. How to maintain it is explained in Optimize Google Business Profile.

Content: Do you answer your customers’ questions?

8. Does each service have its own page?

A “Services” page with ten bullet points will not rank for any of them. Each important service needs its own page with its own heading.

9. Is the answer at the beginning?

Customers and AI search engines are looking for answers. What you offer, for whom, and where should be stated in the first sentences. How to write such texts is shown by Texts that AI search engines cite.

10. Is there evidence?

References, figures, certificates, names of contacts. They build trust with people and with search engines.

Inquiries and AI visibility

11. Can you be reached with one click?

Clickable phone number, short form, appointment booking if possible. Every additional step costs inquiries.

12. Do AI search engines know your company?

Ask ChatGPT or Perplexity for providers of your service in your region. If you are not mentioned, your website usually lacks clear information and mentions on other sites. Background: GEO instead of just SEO.

Evaluation

If you do not want to do the review yourself: The SEO and GEO check automatically checks your website. On this basis, AI visibility by bettersorted is built, with a concrete action plan and, if desired, implementation.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you check your website?

A quick look in Search Console once a month is enough for most SMEs. A thorough review like this is worthwhile once a year and after every major change.

What free tools are available for checking a website?

Google Search Console shows indexing, search queries, and page speed metrics. PageSpeed Insights measures the load time of individual pages. Our SEO and GEO check also tests whether AI search engines can read your website properly.

Why is my website not being found on Google?

The most common reasons are missing indexing, page titles without search terms, too little content on individual services, and a new domain without references from other websites.

As of October 2026.