Today, almost every business owner is concerned about how well their website performs. After all, if people can’t find your business, it doesn’t matter how great a product you are selling.
So many business owners are flocking to Google Search Console to check on their Search Console rankings, see what keywords their site is ranking for, and make sure that their site is displaying correctly in the search results.
You’re not alone if you own a website and haven’t heard of Search Console. It’s a tool that’s been around for a while, but most business owners aren’t familiar with it.
That’s why we’re writing this guide.
What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console is a tool that enables you to see what’s happening with your SEO, Google Ads, and Google Analytics in one place. It’s a dashboard that allows you to monitor and manage your digital presence across all major digital channels.
With Search Console, you’ll be able to see things like:
- Which keywords are driving traffic to your site
- Which ads are bringing in those visitors
- How many people are on your site when they visit
- How long do those users stay on your site and which pages do they click on
With Search Console, you can also set up keyword research and monitoring tools that will help you optimize your content and ads to give your site the best chance of ranking well.
How to Use Google Search Console?
There are a couple of different ways to access Search Console. You can use the Google Web Search app or the Google Search bar if you’re on a PC. If you’re on a mobile device, you can access it through the Google app or the mobile website.
Once you have your Google account set up, you’ll need to access the Search Console through the Admin Console. You can set up your Search Engine Land account and begin managing your digital presence.
Best Practices for Using Google Search Console
Since Google Search Console is a powerful tool, we recommend using it carefully and only with the channels you want to manage.
- Here are some best practices for using Google Search Console:
- Use the “All Websites” account setting. This will let you see public and private sites alike, and you can choose which ones you’d like to manage.
- Use the “Advanced” account setting. With this setting enabled, you’ll be able to see even more data, such as website speed, mobile app performance, and site health.
- Keep your Google Search Console settings consistent with your other digital presence. This means linking your Google Search Console account to your Google Analytics account and your Google Ads account.
Google Search Console Statistics
Google Search Console comes with many useful statistics to help you make informed decisions about your site.
Some of the most useful metrics are:
- Total organic search traffic
- Total clicks on your ads
- Percentage of people who click on your ads
- Percentage of people who purchase after clicking on an ad
- Time spent on your site
- Which pages visitors click on
- What users are typing on your site
- Which phrases are leading people to your site
Implementing PPC Changes Using Google Search Console
Since Search Console lets you see what’s happening with your Google Ads, it’s a great tool to use if you want to make a major change to a campaign.
For example, say you’ve been running an AdWords campaign, but you’re ready to scale back your spending and target different keywords. Switch over to another campaign type like Google Shopping and update your Ads settings in Search Console.
Once your configuration is correct, you won’t have to worry about making more updates. Google will take care of it all for you!
Final Words: Is Google Search Console Worth It?
For some businesses, the benefits of using Google Search Console outweigh the cost.
For example:
- If you operate a physical store, tracking foot traffic and conversion rates can be extremely helpful.
- If you sell digital products, you can see which ones convert and which aren’t.
- If you operate an eCommerce site, you can see which sales are coming in and which products are responsible.
- If you want to track your SEO performance, using Search Console is a no-brainer.
- If you want to track your digital presence across all major digital channels, Search Console is necessary.
- If you want to ensure that your Google Ads are displayed properly across all channels, use Search Console.
- If you have a complex digital presence and it’s difficult to keep tabs on all your digital assets, Search Console might be a good investment.
However, Search Console isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, even with these benefits. You’ll need to decide whether or not it’s worth it to you.