Site Tip · Getting found on Google

Google Search Console, the free tool

You built a website, but you don't know if Google can see it. You don't know what people typed to find you, either. Google Search Console answers both, it costs nothing, and many small business owners have never opened it.

What Search Console shows you

Google Search Console is a free tool from Google. It shows which searches lead people to your site, which pages appear in results, and how often people click.

It also tells you whether Google can find and read your pages. If something is blocking a page, or a page has an error, Search Console will often tell you. Without it, you're guessing.

How to set it up

Setup usually takes less than an hour:

• Sign in with your Google account and open Search Console.
• Add your website. You'll be asked to prove you own it, which Google calls verification.
• Verify by following the steps Google gives you. This often means adding a small code or file to your site, or confirming through your domain provider.
• Submit your sitemap. A sitemap is a list of your pages that helps Google find them. Many website builders create one for you, often at an address ending in sitemap.xml.
• Wait a few days. Data takes time to appear.

What to check each month

You don't need to understand every report. Spend ten minutes a month on these:

• Search results: which searches bring people to you, and which pages get the most clicks?
• Pages: are any pages listed as having problems or not being included?
• Messages: has Google sent a notice about your site?

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is signing up and never looking again. Another is verifying the wrong version of your address, such as one with www and one without. If the data looks empty, check that you added the correct one.

Don't panic over every warning. Some notes are minor. Fix what affects your main pages first, like your home page and services. Search Console shows what Google sees, but it can't promise rankings, and changes take time to show up.

Use what you learn. If people find you with a search you didn't expect, add a clear section about it. If a key page isn't listed, fix the problem and ask Google to look again.

Put a reminder on your calendar so the monthly check actually happens.

Modestius builds and fixes websites for small businesses, and checking Search Console is part of how we review a site.

Questions owners ask

Is Google Search Console the same as Google Analytics?

No. Search Console shows how people find you in Google search. Analytics shows what visitors do once they are on your site.

Do I have to pay for it?

No. It is free with a Google account.

How long until I see data?

Often a few days, sometimes longer for new sites.