Jan 25

Jan 25 How I'm Building My Blog Using Google Search Console

Can You See The Light Even In The Darkness?

(That’s what I would’ve titled this blog post if it were more artsy and less fartsy.)

I can see the light. Barely, but I can see it. Even though my Squarespace app has been showing me page views and visits right at the brink of one-thousand for who-knows-how-long, here I am, back at this keyboard once again. My website analytics may not be so bright, but I can see the light.

Receiving an email a few days ago about an “acheivement” aroundLAwithTK [dot] com had made, I began to wonder about all this analytics mess.

I know, I know, “build the fortress, the people will come to seek safety during a storm,” or however the old adage goes. I’m sure some Instagram guru in nothing is out there saying to somebody on the Internet a generalization advising, “don’t worry about the numbers.” It’s not all bologna. The focus should be on the craft, it should. And my focus is there… Right now though, I’m go’on think ‘bout these hea numbers!

[Disclaimer: This post, starting from below these brackets, is a deeper look at a part of a previous post, for SEO-purposes. It is encouraged to leave this page and go to the original post on how long it took me to see growth on Google search as a beginning blogger.]

Introduction:

In the vast digital landscape, where websites strive to establish their presence, tools like Google Search Console emerge as beacons of insights and indicators of success. Recently, aroundLAwithTK [dot] com received a congratulatory email from the Google Search Console Team, celebrating the achievement of 700 clicks from Google Search in the past 28 days. This prompted a deep dive into understanding Google Search Console and its impact on website performance.

Google Search Console Unveiled:

Google Search Console, formerly known as Google Webmaster Tools, is a powerful platform offered by Google to help webmasters, site owners, and digital marketers monitor, analyze, and optimize their website's presence in Google Search results. It provides a wealth of data and tools to understand how Google perceives a website and how it performs in search queries.

Key Features of Google Search Console:

Performance Metrics:
- The heart of Google Search Console lies in its performance metrics. It offers insights into the number of clicks, impressions, click-through rate (CTR), and average position of your site in Google Search results.
Search Appearance:
- This section provides information on how your site appears in search results, including rich results, AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) status, and more. Understanding these appearances aids in optimizing the visual representation of your site.
URL Inspection:
- For a granular view, the URL Inspection tool allows you to check how a specific page appears in Google Search and diagnose any potential issues that might affect its performance.
Coverage Report:
- This report highlights issues with pages on your site that Google has encountered while crawling. Addressing these issues ensures that your content gets properly indexed.
Sitemap Submission:
- Google Search Console enables you to submit your website's sitemap, helping Google understand the structure of your site and index it more efficiently.

Interpreting Performance Metrics:

Around LA with TK’s recent achievement of 700 clicks in 28 days raises questions about what these metrics truly mean for a website. Here's a breakdown:

Clicks:
- Represents the number of times users clicked on your site's links in the search results. More clicks indicate a higher level of engagement and interest in your content.
Impressions:
- Indicates how often your site's links were seen in the search results. A high number of impressions suggests that your content is being displayed frequently.
Click-Through Rate (CTR):
- Calculated as clicks divided by impressions, CTR is a crucial metric. A higher CTR signifies that your content is compelling and relevant to users.
Average Position:
- Reflects the average position of your site's links in the search results. A lower average position is generally desirable, as it means your content is ranking higher.

Strategies for Improved Site Performance:

Content Consistency:
- Regularly publishing high-quality, relevant content keeps your website fresh and appealing to both users and search engines. Consistency in content production contributes to increased visibility.
Keyword Optimization:
- Understanding the keywords users are searching for and incorporating them strategically in your content enhances your site's chances of ranking higher in relevant searches.
Technical SEO:
- Regularly check and address technical issues using Google Search Console's coverage and URL Inspection tools. Ensure that your site is crawlable, and there are no errors affecting its indexation.
Mobile-Friendliness:
- With an increasing number of users accessing the web on mobile devices, ensuring that your site is mobile-friendly is crucial. Google Search Console provides insights into mobile usability.

A screenshot showing the Google Search Insights acheivements of Los Angeles-based blog, aroundLAwithTK [dot] com. | photo: @aroundLAwithTK

Gratitude and Persistence:

The journey of aroundLAwithTK [dot] com, marked by sporadic achievements in Google Search Console, serves as a testament to the importance of persistence. While the recent milestone may seem modest in comparison to some, it's a reminder of the value of continual effort.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Google Search Console is a potent ally for anyone navigating the digital realm. Understanding its features and interpreting performance metrics empowers site owners to optimize their content and enhance their online presence. The journey of aroundLAwithTK.com, punctuated by these intermittent achievements, reinforces the idea that every milestone, no matter how small, contributes to the overarching success of a website. The key lies in gratitude for the progress made and persistence in the pursuit of continued growth.