How to set-up Google Search Console & connect your website

Google Search Console is a useful free tools that can give you a quick, reliable snapshot of your website's SEO effectiveness

Here’s a very beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide for someone who has never used Google Search Console before (scroll to option 3 if you have Google Analytics set-up):

Step 1: Go to Google Search Console

Step 2: Add Your Website

  • Click “Add property”

  • You’ll see two options:

Option A (Recommended): Domain

  • Enter your website like this:
    yourwebsite.com

  • This tracks all versions (http, https, www, non-www)

👉 Requires access to your domain provider (where you bought your domain).

Option B (Easier): URL prefix

  • Enter the full website address, for example:
    https://www.yourwebsite.com

  • Only tracks that exact version

👉 This is usually the easiest option for beginners.

Step 3: Verify You Own the Website

Google needs to confirm you’re allowed to access the site.

Easiest methods (choose one):

Option 1: HTML file upload

  • Download the file Google provides

  • Upload it to your website’s main folder

  • Click Verify

Option 2: HTML tag (very common)

  • Copy the meta tag Google gives you

  • Paste it into your website’s header

  • Save and click Verify

(On Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Shopify, this is usually done in “Settings → SEO”)

Option 3: Google Analytics

  • If Google Analytics is already installed on the site

  • Use the same Google account

  • Click Verify

Step 4: Verification Complete 

Once verified:

  • Your website is now connected to Google Search Console

  • Data will start collecting (it’s not instant)

It can take a few days before you see meaningful data.

Step 5: Submit Your Sitemap (Recommended)

  • Click Sitemaps

  • Enter the sitemap URL (usually something like https://www.yourwebsite.com/sitemap.xml)

  • Click Submit

This helps Google discover and crawl your pages faster.

Step 6: Bookmark It

  • Bookmark Google Search Console so you can check it easily later

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