Learn how to set up Google Webmaster Account with Elixir Web Solutions.
If you are serious about attracting search engine traffic, you’ll want to sign up for a Google Webmaster Tools account. This guide shows you how.
Google’s Webmaster Tools is a free software which helps you understand what’s going on with the website. It’s a partner to Google Analytics but places attention on the technical side of the website; it is less concerned with the marketing or business. So, for example, if Google wants to send a message about your website, the communication will happen through Google Webmaster Account.
Set up a Google Account
If you do not already have a Google account, you should sign up for one. All you need to do is go to www.google.com and click on ‘You’. You can sign up for an account here. This gives you a Google Gmail address as well as access to other Google applications.
Set up a Webmaster Tools Account
In order to set up Webmaster Tools, visit www.google.com/webmasters/tools and sign in with your Google account – preferably the same one you use for Google Analytics. Click ‘Add a Site’. And enter your site’s URL.
The next step is to verify that the website is yours. There will be a number of options available.
Method 1
The easiest way is to verify it through your Google Analytics account. For this to happen smoothly, you should be an administrator of the Google Analytics account. If you have only got ‘User’ permissions; ask the site’s administrator to upgrade you.Here are a few other ways to verify yourself as the site owner –
Method 2
Select the ‘HTML tag’ option if you have the ability to edit the website’s HTML code.Highlight and copy the text Google displays. Next, open the homepage in the website editor, paste the new Meta tag in the section and save the changes. Click the verify button to finish the Google Webmaster Tool Setup.
Method 3
Try the ‘Domain name provider’ if you can’t do the first two methods. Drop down the list and select the company where you registered the domain. Follow the instructions and verify.
Method 4
The fourth method is to have a Google Tag Manager account and “Manage” permission.
Method 5
Download the HTML file & upload the file at the root domain of your website. Once the file is uploaded, click on verify link.Your account should be authorized and ready to use.
However, when you are setting up Webmaster Tools for the first time, it may take a few days for the data to appear.
Add a sitemap
Once the site is verified, you should create and submit a sitemap through the WMT interface. A sitemap is a simple file which tells Google what pages you have on your website. For example, if you are running a WordPress website, it is worth installing the XML sitemaps plugin which build an XML sitemap for you.
Have more questions? Contact Elixir Web Solutions, a leading provider of google analytics services and SEO services in India.
