The first time Google crawls your site is like submitting your digital ID. If it's clean and structured, you get indexed immediately. If it's a mess, Google flags it and rarely comes back. Complete these 3 steps before unlocking your site

Step 1: Set URL Structure (Permalinks)

Default URLs with random numbers (e.g., /?p=123) confuse Google and look unprofessional when shared.

  1. Go to Settings > Permalinks.

  2. Select Post name.

  3. Scroll down and click Save Changes.

Step 2: Content Audit & Cleanup

Google penalizes websites that index "under construction" or thin, placeholder content.

  1. Go to Pages > All Pages.

  2. Ensure your Home and About pages are 100% complete. (This is where you declare your core BE identity to the algorithm).

  3. Move all incomplete pages and placeholder texts to Draft status.

Step 3: Unlock Search Visibility (Turn on SEO)

Only do this when your house is clean. This officially invites Google to scan your website.

  1. Go to Settings > Reading.

  2. Locate the Search engine visibility section.

  3. Uncheck the box: "Discourage search engines from indexing this site".

  4. Click Save Changes.