How To Set Up + Add Google Search Console To A Squarespace Site

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Skip to what you need:

What is Google Search Console?
Why should I set up Google Search Console?
How do I set up a Google Search Console account?
How do I add a website to Google Search Console?
How do I verify a website in Google Search Console?
How do I connect Search Console to Squarespace?
How do I make my website show up on Google?

Google Search Console is a free tool that can seriously level up your Squarespace site’s performance in search results.

But let’s be real — setting it up isn’t exactly as thrilling as planning your next adventure. (The results though? Totally worth it.)

In this blog, I’m walking you through how to set up and add Google Search Console to your Squarespace site. No tech overwhelm, just clear steps to boost your site’s visibility and give you insights that’ll make your marketing efforts way more impactful. We’ll cover everything from creating your Search Console account to verifying your site ownership and submitting your sitemap. 

By the end, you’ll have access to valuable insights about your site’s performance, helping you make smarter decisions about your content and SEO strategy.

Ready to take your Squarespace site from ‘meh’ to ‘heck yeah’ in Google’s eyes? Let’s do this thing.

What is Google Search Console?

So, you’ve got a sweet, sweet Squarespace website but you’re not quite sure if Google is picking up what you’re putting down. Enter Google Search Console:  your new favourite tool for making sure your site is crushing it in search results. 

Google Search Console is like having a direct line to Google itself. This free (yep, you heard me – free!) platform gives you the inside scoop on how your website is performing in Google search results.

Google Search Console tracks:

• Which of your web pages are showing up in search results (and which ones are ghosting you)
• What keywords are bringing people to your website (hello, audience insights!)
• Who’s linking to your site (time to send some thank you notes)
• Technical issues holding your site back (‘cause we all have the occasional hiccup)

Why Should I Set Up Google Search Console?

Alright, so you know what Google Search Console is and what it tracks. But why should you, a small business owner already juggling 839 tools, bother setting it up? Let me break it down. 

Google Search Console is a must-have tool for improving your website’s visibility. With it, you’re not just throwing content into the void and hoping for the best. Instead, you get real-time feedback on how your site is performing in search results. 

It’s like having a backstage pass to the Google algorithm show. 

For small businesses, this is huge! You don’t have the big budgets of corporate giants, so every bit of organic (aka FREE) traffic counts. Search Console helps you maximize your online presence without dropping a dime on ads. 

As for me? I use Google Search Console for my own website and my blog clients. Here’s how:

1. To see what blog posts resonate with my audience.
   When I saw my blog post 3 Cornerstones Of Ethical Copywriting was popular, I wrote a second blog post on ethical marketing, 9 Unethical Sales Tactics To Dump, which quickly became my most visited blog post.
   
   
2. To refine my keyword strategy.
   When writing for Streamlined By Martine, our first batch of blog posts targeted keywords related to Dubsado since she’s a Dubsado Pro. But once Search Console told us we had checked off those keywords, we started writing blog posts with broader keywords like ‘systems strategist’ and ‘personalized client experience’ in mind. 

All of this helps you create content that your audience is actually interested in. You’re not just guessing what they want and hoping it connects to your business – you’re basing your strategy on cold, hard data. 

How Do I Set Up A Google Search Console Account?

Ready for the easiest account setup of your life? Here we go:

1. First things first, you need a Google account. Got Gmail? Google Workspace? Google Business Profile? You’re golden. 
2. Head over to the Google Search Console website right here. (Or just, you know, Google it). 
3. Click that ‘Start Now’ button and log in with your Google account.

Yep, it’s that easy. No blood sacrifices, no complicated forms. Just a couple of clicks and you’re in.

How Do I Add A Website To My Google Search Console?

But now that you’re in, we need to get your website hooked up. Here’s how:

1. Log into Search Console (you’re a pro at this by now) 
2. Look for the ‘+ Add Property’ sign in the top left corner – this might be in the drop-down menu if you already have websites connected 
3. Choose ‘Domain’ as the property type
4. Type in your domain but skip the www. part (ex. isobelgriffin.com)
5. Hit ‘Continue’ and brace yourself for a popup

This popup is asking you to verify your domain. It’s Google’s way of making sure you’re not trying to sneak a peek at someone else’s website data. You can verify now or later, but here’s the deal: Google Search Console won’t start spilling the beans on your website’s performance until you verify. But don’t worry, I’ll walk you through the verification process next!

How Do I Verify Domain Ownership Of My Squarespace Website In Google Search Console?

Whether you got your website domain through Squarespace or another provider like GoDaddy, the verification process is pretty similar.

First things first: copy that TXT record Google is showing you in the verification popup window. We’re going to need that later. 

If you have a Squarespace domain:

1. Log into your Squarespace account
2. Head to your profile dashboard
3. Select ‘Domains’ on the top left
4. Choose the website you’re trying to verify
5. Find ‘DNS Settings’ in the left side menu
6. Now tap the ‘Add Preset’ button
7. Choose ‘Google Workspace Verification’
   • Can’t find it? Just select ‘Add record’, then ‘TXT record’
8. Paste that code you saved earlier
9. Do a happy dance

If you’re using another domain provider:

1. Sign into your domain provider website
2. Navigate to DNS Settings
3. Look for an option to add a custom record or TXT record
4. Paste in that TXT record you copied from Search Console

Now, the moment of truth: Head back to Google Search Console and click the ‘Verify’ button in the popup. If all goes well, Google will give you a virtual high-five and you’ll be officially verified. 

How Do I Add Google Search Console To My Squarespace Site?

Alright, you’ve got Google Search Console up and running! You can stop there and use Search Console to track your metrics (which is what I do), but if you prefer to keep everything under Squarespace’s platform, then keep reading. 

We can connect Google Search Console directly to your Squarespace website by:

1. Heading back into Squarespace and logging into your chosen site
2. Look for the gear icon on the bottom left side of your menu 
3. In this settings menu, find ‘Third Party Tools’ and ‘Connected Accounts’
4. Choose ‘Google Search Console’ from the list and sign back in

Voila! Now you’ll be able to see your search analytics right in the Squarespace Analytics tab. 

How Do I Make My Squarespace Website Show Up On Google?

So you’ve built a gorgeous site and you’ve connected Search Console, but does Google really know you exist yet? 

While Google regularly ‘crawls the internet’ (fancy talk for discovering new web pages), it can take a hot minute for it to notice your shiny new site. Here’s how to give Google a nudge and start climbing the search result rankings:

Submit Your Site Map

1. Head to your trusty Google Search Console account and select ‘Sitemaps’ on the left-hand side. 
2. Copy and paste this url: https://www.yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml (remember to replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain! You knew that, though.)
3. Tap submit and get the thumbs up from Google

Create High-Quality Content

Look, Google has a reputation to uphold as the top dog at providing information to internet browsers. It’s not about to show a brand-spanking new website in the #1 spot just because you asked.

You have to convince Google that you’re experienced, trustworthy, and legit. 

The easiest way to prove you’re the real deal? Create helpful, thorough, well-written content through blogs. Need some blog support? Check out these resources:

Ultimate Guide To Starting A Small Biz Blog

6 Blogging Myths Busted

Finding Keywords For Your Service Business

Blog Training, Prompts, and Templates

Request Indexing

Every time you publish a new blog post, we want to remind Google that you’re out here creating content it needs to know about. It’s like sending Google a ‘Hey, look what I made!’ text.

Here’s how:

1. After publishing your blog, head back to Google Search Console.
2. Select ‘URL inspection’ from the top search bar.
3. Pop your blog URL in there.
4. If it’s not already on Google, hit ‘Request Indexing’

Remember, showing up on Google isn’t an overnight process. It’s more like growing a garden than flipping a switch. 

Where Can I Get More Hands-On Website Tips?

You’ve got Google Search Console up and running on your Squarespace site. But hold onto your hat, ’cause we’re just getting started.

Got burning questions about marketing your business without feeling like a sleazy car salesman? Wondering how to write emails people actually want to open? Or maybe you’re stumped on how to make your brand stand out in a sea of sameness?

I’ve got answers, my friend.

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