Think of Google Search Console (GSC) as a direct hotline between your website and Google. It’s the only place where Google tells you exactly how it sees your site, which keywords are actually bringing in customers, and—most importantly—if there are any technical glitches stopping you from showing up in search results.
Setting this up is easily the most important 'free' thing you can do for your SEO. Whether you’re a local plumber in Chermside or an e-commerce brand shipping nationwide from a warehouse in Pinkenba, this guide will get you connected.
Before You Begin: What You’ll Need
Setting this up isn't hard, but it does require a few things to be ready. Don't worry if you don't have all of these yet; we’ll work through them.
- A Google Account: Ideally, use the same one you use for Google Business Profile or Google Analytics. If you're a business owner, use a work-related email rather than a personal one.
- Website Access: You’ll need to be able to log in to your website’s backend (like WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace).
- DNS Access (Optional but Recommended): Your login for your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, VentraIP, or Crazy Domains). This is the best way to verify your site, but there are easier workarounds if you can't find these details right now.
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Step 1: Sign In to Google Search Console
First, head over to the Google Search Console landing page.
What you'll see: A big blue button that says "Start now". Click it. If you aren't already logged into a Google account, it will ask you to sign in. Pro Tip from the field: If you have multiple Google accounts (like a personal Gmail and a Google Workspace email), double-check which one you’re using in the top right corner. It’s a massive headache later if you accidentally set this up under your teenager’s YouTube account!Step 2: Choose Your Property Type
This is where most people get a bit stuck because Google gives you two choices, and the terminology is a bit "techy". You’ll see a popup with two boxes: Domain and URL Prefix.
Option A: Domain (The "Pro" Way)
This covers everything. If you verifyexample.com.au, it automatically includes www.example.com.au, m.example.com.au, and even shop.example.com.au.
The Catch: You must* be able to edit your DNS settings (where your domain is hosted).
Option B: URL Prefix (The "Easy" Way)
This only tracks the specific URL you enter. If you enterhttps://www.example.com.au, it won't track the version without the www unless you add it separately.
- The Benefit: It’s much easier to verify if you have access to your WordPress dashboard or Google Analytics.
Step 3: Enter Your Website Address
If you chose Domain, type in your domain name without the https:// or www. For example: localmarketinggroup.com.au.
If you chose URL Prefix, you must enter the full address exactly as it appears in your browser.
A note on Australian domains: Whether you have a .com.au, .net.au, or just a .com, the process is exactly the same. Google treats our local Aussie extensions just like any other.
Step 4: Verify Ownership (The "Domain" Method)
If you went with the Domain option, Google needs to know you actually own the site. It will show you a screen with a "TXT record" (a long string of random letters and numbers).
- Copy that code.
- Log in to your domain registrar. This is usually where you bought your domain (VentraIP and GoDaddy are common in Australia).
- Find the DNS Management section. Look for "Manage DNS" or "Zone Editor".
- Add a new record. Select the type as TXT.
- Leave the 'Host' or 'Name' field as @ (or blank, depending on the provider).
- Paste the Google code into the 'Value' or 'Destination' field.
- Save it.
Step 5: Verify Ownership (The "URL Prefix" Method)
If the DNS stuff above sounded like gibberish, don't worry. Use the URL Prefix box instead. Google offers several ways to verify here:
- HTML File Upload: You download a file and upload it to your website's root folder. (Great if you have FTP access).
- HTML Tag: This is the most popular for WordPress users. Google gives you a small snippet of code. You paste this into the
section of your site.
- Google Analytics / Tag Manager: If you already have these set up on your site, you can often verify with a single click. This is the "Gold Medal" for speed.
Step 6: The "Ownership Verified" Success Screen
Once Google confirms it’s you, you’ll see a green "Ownership verified" box. Success! Click "Go to Property".
Warning: When you first open your new Search Console property, it will look very empty. You might see a message saying "Processing data, please check back in a few days". This is normal. Google has to go and find the data for you; it doesn't always have it ready instantly.Step 7: Submit Your Sitemap
This is a crucial step that most people skip. A sitemap is a simple list (in XML format) of every page on your site. Submitting it tells Google, "Hey, here is a map of my shop, please come and look at these specific pages."
- On the left-hand menu in Search Console, click on Sitemaps.
- Under "Add a new sitemap", you need to enter the URL of your sitemap.
- How to find your sitemap: Usually, it's
yourdomain.com.au/sitemap_index.xmloryourdomain.com.au/sitemap.xml. - If you use WordPress with an SEO plugin, the plugin generates this for you automatically.
- Click Submit.
Google will now go through your site much more efficiently. You'll see a status of "Success" in green once it’s processed.
Step 8: Check for "Core Web Vitals" and Mobile Usability
Since you're likely an Australian business owner, you know how much we love our smartphones. Google knows this too.
Once your data starts flowing in (usually after 48 hours), look at the Experience section in the left sidebar.
- Mobile Usability: This tells you if buttons are too close together or if text is too small for someone browsing on an iPhone while waiting for a bus in the CBD.
- Core Web Vitals: This measures how fast your site loads. In Australia, where internet speeds can be... let's say "variable"... having a fast site is a huge competitive advantage.
Step 9: Link to Google Analytics (The Finishing Touch)
To get the full picture, you should link Search Console to your Google Analytics 4 (GA4) account. This allows you to see Search Console data directly inside your Analytics reports.
- Go to your Google Analytics account.
- Click Admin (the gear icon bottom left).
- In the Property column, scroll down to Product Links and click Search Console Links.
- Click Link, select your Search Console property, and follow the prompts.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Verifying the wrong version: If your site uses
https, make sure you don't verify thehttpversion. Most modern sites arehttps. Check your browser's address bar—if there's a padlock, it'shttps. - Forgetting the Sitemap: Without a sitemap, Google might still find your site, but it will take much longer, and it might miss some of your deeper pages.
- Ignoring the "Security & Manual Actions" tab: Check this once a month. If your site gets hacked or if Google thinks you're doing something "dodgy", this is where they will tell you. If it's empty, you're doing great!
- Panicking over "Excluded" pages: In the Indexing report, you'll see pages that are "Excluded". This isn't always bad. Often, these are just technical pages (like your checkout or admin login) that shouldn't be on Google.
Troubleshooting
"Google says it can't find my verification tag/file." This usually happens because of a caching plugin. If you use a plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache, clear your cache after adding the code, then try verifying again. Also, make sure you haven't deleted the tag accidentally while editing your theme. "My DNS changes aren't working." DNS can be finicky. Ensure you didn't include the quotes around the TXT record if your provider adds them automatically. If you're really stuck, many Aussie hosts like VentraIP have great support teams who can add the TXT record for you if you send them the code. "I see 'Data not available' in my reports." If your site is brand new, Google hasn't collected enough data yet. Give it a week. If the site is old and you still see no data, check that you verified the correct version (www vs non-www).Next Steps
Congratulations! You've successfully connected your site to the most powerful SEO tool available.
Now that you're set up, your next moves should be:
- Wait 7 days for the data to populate.
- Check the "Performance" report to see which keywords people are using to find you. You might be surprised—maybe people are finding your Brisbane cafe by searching for "best gluten-free brownies" rather than just "cafe near me".
- Identify your top-performing pages and see if you can make them even better.
If you find the technical side of this overwhelming or you want a professional eye to look over your search data and help you grow, we’re here to help. You can reach out to the team at Local Marketing Group for a chat about your digital strategy.
Happy Optimising!