About this Squarespace video tutorial

Welcome back to my blog! I’m Katherine Forbes, founder of Designing the Row and a Squarespace Expert and Authorized Trainer specializing in creating websites for musicians. In today’s post, I’ll guide you through the process of connecting Google Search Console to your Squarespace website, using Designing the Row client Steep Canyon Rangers as an example.

Timestamps

0:00 Intro
0:42 What is Google Search Console?
1:20 Steep Canyon Rangers intro
1:45 Steps to connect Google Search Console to Squarespace website
2:18 Indexing Status
2:45 Website Sitemap and how to submit to Google Search Console
3:46 Keyword Analytics
4:27 Search Optimization Insights
5:44 Outro

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What is Google Search Console?

Google Search Console is a free tool provided by Google that helps you monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot your site’s presence in search results. Think of it as your website's control center for all things search-related.

Benefits of Using Google Search Console

Here are some key benefits, along with actionable steps you can take for each:

1. Performance Tracking

Google Search Console allows you to see how your site appears in search results, including clicks, impressions, average position, and click-through rate (CTR) for specific queries.

Actionable Step: Regularly check the 'Performance' report. Use the filter options to focus on your top-performing queries or pages. Identify any keywords with high impressions but low clicks and consider optimizing those pages for better engagement.

2. Indexing Status

The tool shows which of your pages are indexed and reveals any indexing issues that could affect your visibility in search results.

Actionable Step: Navigate to the 'Coverage' report to see any errors or warnings. If you find pages that aren’t indexed, investigate why and address any technical issues or settings to ensure they get crawled properly.

3. Sitemap Submission

Submitting your sitemap helps Google understand the structure of your site, making it easier for them to crawl and index your pages.

Actionable Step: After submitting your sitemap, regularly check the 'Sitemaps' report to ensure Google has processed it without issues. If you add new pages or blog posts, update your sitemap and resubmit it.

4. Search Optimization Insights

Google Search Console provides insights into how your site performs in search and where you can improve.

Actionable Step: Use the 'Enhancements' section to find specific recommendations, such as mobile usability issues or Core Web Vitals. Implement these changes to enhance user experience and improve your site’s search rankings.

Connecting Google Search Console to Your Squarespace Website

Now, let’s dive into how to connect Google Search Console to your Squarespace website. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Sign in to Google Search Console: Go to search.google.com/search-console and log in with your Google account.

2. Add a Property: Click on 'Add Property' and enter your website URL, ensuring you use the exact URL you want to track.

3. Select Verification Method: For Squarespace, choose the HTML tag verification method. Google will provide you with a meta tag to copy.

4. Add the Tag in Squarespace: In your Squarespace dashboard, go to 'Settings' > 'SEO' > 'Search Console' and paste the meta tag into the provided field. Click 'Save.'

5. Verify the Site: Return to Google Search Console and click 'Verify.' If everything is set up correctly, you’ll receive a confirmation message.

Submitting Your Sitemap

Next, let’s submit your sitemap to help Google understand your site structure:

1. Find Your Sitemap URL: Your Squarespace sitemap is typically located at [yourdomain.com/sitemap.xml].

2. Submit the Sitemap: In Google Search Console, navigate to 'Sitemaps' on the left-hand menu. Enter your sitemap URL and click 'Submit.' This will help Google crawl your site more effectively.

Ongoing Use of Analytics for SEO Growth

After connecting Google Search Console, track performance metrics and user interactions. Here are ways to leverage this data:

1. Identify High-Performing Pages: Look for pages getting the most clicks and impressions, and consider optimizing them further.

2. Monitor Search Queries: Check which search queries bring traffic to your site and adapt your content strategy accordingly.

3. Fix Errors: Regularly check for indexing issues or errors and resolve them to maintain your site’s visibility.

Conclusion

By connecting Google Search Console to your Squarespace site, you can significantly enhance your website’s performance and visibility in search results. If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out my YouTube channel for more tips on optimizing your website.

And if you’re looking to build your own website, don’t forget to grab my special Squarespace discount code available at designingtherow.com/squarespace. It’s a great way to get started on your own site!

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in the next post!

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