A selective guide to search engine submission, business map listings, useful industry directories, and appropriate social profiles. Start with the platforms your customers actually use, then maintain accurate information over time.

Search Engines

How to Submit Your Website to Search Engines

Search engines such as Google and Bing normally discover websites by following links and crawling publicly available pages. However, registering your website with their free webmaster tools helps search engines discover your content and gives you valuable information about indexing issues and search performance.

Step 1: Prepare Your Website

Before submitting your website, make sure it is publicly accessible and ready for visitors.

  • Confirm that your pages load correctly and have working internal links.
  • Check that your website is not blocking search engine indexing. In WordPress, review Settings > Reading and make sure “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” is unchecked.
  • Make sure your pages have descriptive titles, useful content, and appropriate meta descriptions.
  • Confirm that your website has an XML sitemap.

Step 2: Locate Your XML Sitemap

An XML sitemap provides search engines with a list of your website’s important URLs. Most WordPress websites already generate one automatically.

  • WordPress default sitemap: https://yourdomain.com/wp-sitemap.xml
  • Yoast SEO sitemap: https://yourdomain.com/sitemap_index.xml
  • Other platforms: Check your website’s SEO settings or documentation for the sitemap location.

Replace “yourdomain.com” with your actual domain name and open the address in your browser to confirm it works. You only need to submit the main sitemap or sitemap index, not every individual page.

Step 3: Submit Your Website to Google

  1. Visit Google Search Console and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Select Add Property and enter your website domain or URL.
  3. Verify website ownership using one of Google’s supported methods. Domain verification uses a DNS record, while URL-prefix verification offers options such as an HTML tag or file upload.
  4. Once verified, select Sitemaps from the Search Console menu.
  5. Enter your XML sitemap URL and select Submit.
  6. Review the submission status to confirm Google can access and process your sitemap.

For a newly published or substantially updated page, you can also use Google’s URL Inspection tool to inspect the page and request indexing.

Google’s Website Verification Instructions | Google’s Sitemap Guide

Step 4: Submit Your Website to Bing

  1. Visit Bing Webmaster Tools and sign in.
  2. If your website is already verified in Google Search Console, choose the option to import your website from Google. This can simplify verification and import your sitemap information.
  3. Alternatively, add your website manually and complete Bing’s verification process.
  4. If your sitemap was not imported, open the Sitemaps section and submit its URL.
  5. Review your indexing and search performance reports as Bing begins collecting data.

Bing also supports IndexNow, a free system that allows participating search engines to be notified when website pages are added, updated, or removed. Some website platforms and plugins support this automatically.

Step 5: Monitor Your Website’s Indexing

Submitting your website is generally a one-time setup process. Once a sitemap has been submitted, most WordPress SEO plugins keep it updated automatically as content changes.

  • Check Search Console periodically for indexing errors and excluded pages.
  • Use the URL Inspection tool when an important page is missing from Google.
  • Review search impressions, clicks, and search queries to understand how visitors find your website.
  • Keep your sitemap accessible and update your website with useful, relevant content.

Important: Website submission and sitemap registration are free, but they do not guarantee indexing, higher rankings, or immediate search visibility. Search engines determine which pages qualify for inclusion in their results.

For additional resources to help improve your search visibility, visit our Best Free SEO Tools page.

Maps & Listings

Essential Local Business Listings

Claim and maintain the listings that customers actually use. Eligibility rules vary, especially for service-area businesses without a public storefront.

Start With These Free Profiles

  • Google Business Profile: Manage an eligible business on Google Search and Maps, including categories, services, business hours, photos, and customer reviews. Manage Google Business Profile
  • Apple Business: Manage eligible business information and place cards in Apple Maps and related Apple experiences. Manage Apple listing
  • Bing Places for Business: Claim or edit an eligible free business listing for Bing and related Microsoft surfaces. Manage Bing Places
  • Yelp for Business: Claim and maintain a basic business profile; advertising and other promoted services are paid. Yelp discourages review solicitation. Manage Yelp listing

Consider for Neighborhood Services

  • Nextdoor Business: Can be useful for local service providers whose customers seek neighborhood recommendations. Review the features available without advertising. Explore Nextdoor Business

Note: Some platforms require businesses serving customers at their location to display an address. Follow each platform’s rules for service-area businesses and home addresses.

Industry Listings

Industry-Specific Directories

These options are worthwhile only when prospective customers in your industry actually use them. Some profiles are free while leads, promotions, or expanded features cost money.

Contractors and Home Improvement

  • Houzz: Consider a basic professional profile for remodeling, building, landscaping, and design businesses with useful project photography. Explore Houzz
  • California CSLB License Check: California contractors should verify that their official license listing is accurate and accessible. This is verification, not advertising. Check contractor license

Legal and Healthcare

  • Avvo: Attorneys can review and manage eligible directory profiles, with optional paid marketing products. Explore Avvo
  • Justia Lawyer Directory: Legal directory with attorney information and available profile options. Explore Justia
  • Healthgrades: Healthcare professionals can review existing provider information and follow the site’s correction or profile process. View Healthgrades

Travel and Hospitality

  • Tripadvisor: Relevant for qualifying restaurants, lodging, attractions, and travel businesses. Claim or manage a listing where available. Explore Tripadvisor listings

Note: Do not purchase lead-generation services simply to obtain a listing. Evaluate lead quality, cancellation terms, and whether a free profile is sufficient.

Social & Best Practices

Business Profiles and Listing Maintenance

Social profiles help customers understand a business, but they are not substitutes for a well-maintained website or primary map listing. Choose only platforms you can realistically keep current.

Choose the Platforms That Fit

  • Facebook Business: Useful for community-based businesses that share announcements, photos, and updates. Explore Facebook Business
  • Instagram: Useful when project images, product photography, and short videos help explain what a business offers. Explore Instagram
  • LinkedIn Company Pages: Most relevant for B2B organizations, professional services, and hiring. Create a LinkedIn Page
  • YouTube: Useful when a business has original demonstrations, project videos, educational material, or service explanations. Explore YouTube

Before Claiming or Updating a Listing

  • Confirm that the business does not already have a profile or duplicate listing.
  • Use the real business name, correct website URL, current phone number, and consistent public information.
  • Choose accurate business categories and services. Keep hours, photographs, and staff information current.
  • For service-area businesses, respect each platform’s address display and eligibility rules.
  • Respond professionally to feedback and follow each platform’s review solicitation policies.
  • Review important listings after moving, changing numbers, or updating business hours.

For ongoing keyword research, local search analysis, and site diagnostics, see Best Free SEO Tools.

Quality Over Quantity

A complete, accurate Google, Apple, or Bing listing is generally more useful than dozens of neglected directory submissions. Focus on the platforms where your customers can discover and evaluate your business. For other website needs, visit Small Business Website Resources or Best Free SEO Tools.