Most people use Google every day without realizing how it actually works.
Behind every search result is a three-step process that determines which websites appear first: crawling, indexing, and ranking.
If you run a business in Rotterdam, understanding these steps helps you see why your website might not be showing up where you want — and what you can do about it.
Crawling is how Google discovers new and updated pages on the internet.
It uses automated programs called Googlebots (or crawlers) to visit web pages, follow links, and collect information.
When Google’s crawler visits your site, it looks at:
If your website is slow, has broken links, or restricts crawlers, Google may miss important pages — meaning they never even make it into search results.
After crawling, Google decides which pages to index.
Indexing means adding a page to Google’s searchable database.
During indexing, Google analyzes:
If your content is unclear or duplicated, Google might choose not to index it at all.
For local businesses in Rotterdam, it’s important that your site clearly shows your services, location, and contact details so Google knows you serve a specific area.
Once a page is indexed, Google must decide where it should appear in the results.
This is the ranking stage — and it’s based on hundreds of factors, including:
Google’s goal is to provide the most useful and trustworthy answers for each search.
That’s why optimized, well-structured, and locally relevant websites tend to rank higher.
If Google can’t crawl or index your site properly, your SEO efforts won’t matter — you simply won’t appear.
That’s why every successful SEO strategy starts with technical SEO: making sure your site is easy for both users and Google to understand.
By focusing on:
…you help Google connect your business with the people searching for it.
Not sure if Google can find and understand your website?
At Zalm Partners, we offer a free technical SEO analysis.
We check your site’s crawlability, indexing status, and ranking potential — and send you a clear report on what to fix and where to focus.
Get your free SEO analysis today and see how your site performs in Google.
Request your free SEO analysis today, fill in the contact form, and share your website URL.
Zalm Partners is a Rotterdam-based digital agency specializing in web development, SEO, and AI-driven search strategies.
We help businesses build websites that not only look great but also perform in Google — from technical structure to content and ongoing optimization.
SEO is an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
As Google’s algorithms evolve, your website should too.
We help you stay visible, relevant, and competitive in an ever-changing search landscape.
We always start with a one-hour sparring session at our office — no strings attached, just ideas and possibilities.
Share your site with us and receive a free technical SEO analysis with clear, actionable improvements.
Zalm Partners is a Rotterdam-based digital studio, delivering tailored web development, branding, and growth solutions powered by Google & AI.
