Google Search Console is a free service offered by Google that helps you monitor and maintain your site's presence in Google Search results. You don't have to sign up for Search Console for your site to be included in Google's search results, but doing so can help you understand how Google views your site and optimize its performance in search results.
Step 1:
- Sign into your Google Search Console (formerly known as Webmaster Tools): https://www.google.com/webmasters
Step 2:
- Select Website
- Enter your website URL (ie. http://www.example.com with 'www')
- Click ADD A PROPERTY
Step 3:
- Select Alternate methods
- Select HTML tag
- Copy the meta tag
Step 4:
- Using a separate browser tab/window log into your WSI Genesis website
- Navigate to Settings > Reading
- Under Search Engine Visibility > un-check Discourage Search engines from indexing this site
- Click Save Changes
Step 5:
- Navigate to SEO > Webmaster Tools
- Paste the meta tag into the Google Search Console field
- Click Save Changes
Step 6:
- On Google Search Console
- Click Verify
Step 7:
- Once the website is verified click Continue
Step 8:
- Click ADD A PROPERTY
Step 9:
- Select Website
- Enter your website URL (ie. http://example.com without 'www')
- Click Add
Step 10:
- Select Alternate methods
- Select HTML tag
- Click Verify
Step 11:
- Once the website is verified click Continue
Step 12:
- Click on the gears icon
- Select Site Settings
Step 13:
- Select your Preferred domain (recommend URL with 'www')
- Click Save
Also recommend:
How to add Google Analytics
How to submit a sitemap to Google Search Console
How to get a Google Map/API Key
How to use Google My Business
How to create structured data markup
