When you create a new website the first thing that you are most likely going to be anxiously waiting for is Google to index it so your new website or blog can be found on the world wide web. Normally you have to wait for the Googlebot to crawl your website for any new content before it can be added to the Google index.

So how can we speed up the process so this happens as quickly as possible? Here is the very basics related to how all new website content is crawled and indexed on Google, including some fantastic new ways to get the Googlebot onto your website or online shop to index your latest content as soon as possible.

What exactly is Googlebot, Crawling, and Indexing? 

Before we go ahead and reveal some great tips to attract the Googlebot to your website, let’s just briefly start with what the Googlebot is exactly, we will also look at the difference between both indexing and crawling.

The Googlebot in its simplest form is the search bot computer program that Google sends out to gather information on all domains with a web presence. It will then add the collected information to Google’s searchable index.

Crawling is the process the Googlebot performs to browse from website to website, finding all your new and updated information to report back to Google. The Googlebot simply finds what to crawl using links.

Indexing which if you are reading this article you would have heard of – is the processing of the found information collected by the Googlebot software from its crawling activities. Once the new information is processed, it will be added to Google’s searchable index if the content discovered is determined to be quality content. During the indexing process, the Googlebot processes each word on the web page and where those words are found. Alternative information such as your elements title tags and ALT attributes are also analysed during the indexing process. Moreover how does the Googlebot find new content on the world wide web such as brand new websites, online shops, blogs etc..? It all starts with website pages captured during the previous crawl processes and also adds in any sitemap data provided by webmasters through their webmaster tools. As the Googlebot browses web pages previously crawled in the past, it will detect new links on those existing pages and if any new links are found they will be added to the crawler list. If you want more details, in relation to Googlebot or how crawling works you can read about both topics in Webmaster Tools Help. Now we will have a quick look at how to implement sitemaps on your existing or new website and create a link to it which will assist the Googlebot in discovering your new content.

How to Get New Content Discovered By Googlebot 

Here are some fantastic ways to get your new content found by Googlebot. The best part is that some of the following information will assist you in receiving more referral traffic to your website! 

Create a new Sitemap –

A sitemap is a XML format document which is located in the public_html directory of your server that lists each page or post on your website. It allows search engines to be made aware that new pages have been added and how frequently to check back for changes on specific pages. For example, you might require a search engine to come back and check your shop page daily for new products or other new content. If your are one of the thousands of users currently using a website that is built on WordPress, you are able install a plugin called Google XML Sitemaps plugin which can be made to automatically create and update your sitemap on your behalf as well as resubmit it to search engines such as Google or Yahoo.

Submit your Sitemap to Google Webmaster Tools –

The very first place you should take your sitemap for a new web site is Google Webmaster Tools. If you don’t already have an account, create a free Google Account, then sign up for Webmaster Tools. Add your site to Webmaster Tools, then follow and go to Optimisation > Sitemaps and add the link to your web site sitemapto Webmaster Tools to notify Google about it and the webpages you have already published.

Submit URL’s to Search Engines –

Submit your website URL to Google by signing into your Google Account and going to the Submit URL option in Webmaster Tools.

The Results

Once your new web site is indexed by Google, you will be able to find your web page or site in the search results. You may also start to see increased traffic from Google search. One of the best ways to guarentee that your content is discovered fast is by simply sharing it via social media on status updates including a link to the webpage or blog post.