We would like to showcase the process of setting up Google Search Console for your website in less than 3 minutes. The procedure to initiate Search Console is uncomplicated and cost-free. There are various methods available to establish it, customizable to suit your requirements.
To set up Google Search Console for your website, follow these steps:
Create a Google Search Console Account:
Visit the Google Search Console website (https://search.google.com/search-console) and sign in using your Google account credentials. If you don’t have a Google account, create one by clicking on the “Start Now” button.
Add Your Website Property:
Once you’re signed in, click on the “Add Property” button. Enter your website’s URL in the provided field and click on the “Continue” button.
Verify Ownership of Your Website:
To prove that you own the website, you need to verify it. Google provides multiple verification methods, and you can choose the one that works best for you. The recommended methods are:
HTML File Upload: Download the HTML verification file provided by Google. Upload the file to the root directory of your website using an FTP client or the file manager of your hosting account. Once uploaded, click on the “Verify” button in Google Search Console.
HTML Tag: Copy the HTML meta tag provided by Google and add it to the <head> section of your website’s homepage. Save the changes and return to Google Search Console to click on the “Verify” button.
DNS TXT Record: This method involves adding a TXT record to your domain’s DNS configuration. Follow the instructions provided by Google to add the TXT record, and then click on the “Verify” button.
Set Preferred Domain (www or non-www): After verifying ownership, you will be prompted to choose your preferred domain. Decide whether you want your website to appear with the “www” prefix or without it. Select the appropriate option and click on the “Continue” button.
Submit Sitemap:
A sitemap helps search engines understand the structure and content of your website. Generate a sitemap for your website using a sitemap generator tool or a plugin if you’re using a CMS like WordPress. Once you have your sitemap file (usually named “sitemap.xml”), go to Google Search Console and click on the “Sitemaps” tab. Enter the URL of your sitemap file and click on the “Submit” button.
Explore Search Console Features:
Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up Google Search Console for your website. Take some time to explore the various features and reports available. You can check your website’s indexing status, see search queries that lead to your site, analyze your website’s performance, identify crawl errors, and more. Utilize these insights to optimize your website for better search engine visibility.
Click here to learn how to setup google Analytics
Remember to regularly monitor Google Search Console for any messages or notifications related to your website. It’s a valuable tool to understand how your website is performing in search results and to address any issues that may arise.