Setting up Google Search Console (GSC) is arguably the most important free step you can take for your website's SEO. It acts as a direct line of communication between your website and Google, allowing you to see exactly how the world’s most popular search engine views your content, which keywords are driving traffic to your Brisbane business, and whether there are any technical errors holding you back.
Prerequisites: What You’ll Need
Before we dive in, ensure you have the following ready:- A Google Account: Ideally a professional one associated with your business (e.g., your Google Workspace email).
- Website Access: You will need to be able to access your website’s backend (WordPress, Shopify, etc.) or your domain registrar (like GoDaddy, VentraIP, or Crazy Domains).
- Administrative Rights: You need permission to add records to your DNS or upload files to your server.
---
Step 1: Sign in to Google Search Console
Head over to the Google Search Console landing page. Click the 'Start Now' button. If you aren't already logged into a Google account, you’ll be prompted to sign in. Screenshot Description: You should see a clean landing page with a blue 'Start Now' button and an illustration of a laptop with data charts.Step 2: Choose Your Property Type
Once logged in, you will be presented with two options to add a property:- Domain: This covers all subdomains (m., www.) and both HTTP and HTTPS protocols. This is the gold standard for Australian businesses.
- URL Prefix: This only tracks a specific URL (e.g., only the https:// version).
Step 3: Enter Your Domain Name
In the 'Domain' box, type in your website URL without the 'https://' or 'www' (e.g.,yourbusiness.com.au). Click 'Continue'.
Step 4: Verify Domain Ownership via DNS
Google needs to prove you actually own the site. For the 'Domain' property type, you must verify via DNS (Domain Name System).Google will provide you with a TXT record. It looks like a long string of random characters starting with google-site-verification=.... Copy this code to your clipboard.
Step 5: Log into Your Domain Registrar
Open a new browser tab and log into where you bought your domain. Common Australian providers include VentraIP, NetRegistry, or AU2.Find the 'DNS Management' or 'Manage DNS' section for your specific domain.
Step 6: Add the TXT Record
In your DNS settings, click 'Add Record'.- Type: Select 'TXT'.
- Host/Name: Enter
@or leave it blank (depending on your provider's requirements). - Value/Content: Paste the string you copied from Google Search Console.
- TTL: Leave as the default (usually 3600).
Save the record.
Warning: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to propagate across the internet, though in Australia, it's usually quite fast.
Step 7: Complete Verification in GSC
Go back to the Google Search Console tab and click the 'Verify' button. If Google finds the record, you’ll see a green 'Ownership Verified' box. If it fails, wait 10 minutes and try again.Step 8: Set Up Your Sitemaps
Now that you're in the dashboard, Google needs a map of your site to find your pages faster. On the left-hand menu, click Sitemaps.In the 'Add a new sitemap' field, enter your sitemap URL.
- If you use WordPress with Yoast SEO, it’s usually
sitemap_index.xml. - If you use Shopify, it’s simply
sitemap.xml.
Click 'Submit'.
Step 9: Check the 'Core Web Vitals' Report
Google now prioritises user experience. Navigate to the 'Experience' section in the sidebar and click 'Core Web Vitals'. For many Australian small businesses, slow mobile speeds are a major hurdle. Check if your site is marked as 'Poor' or 'Needs Improvement'.Step 10: Link to Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
To see your Search Console data directly inside your Google Analytics reports, go to your GA4 account settings.- Go to Admin > Property Settings.
- Scroll down to Product Links and select Search Console Links.
- Click 'Link' and follow the prompts to select your newly verified property.
---
Pro Tips for Australian Business Owners
- Check the 'International Targeting' (Legacy): While Google is getting better at localising, ensure your site is correctly associated with Australia if you use a .com domain instead of a .com.au.
- The URL Inspection Tool: If you just published a new blog post or updated your 'Services' page, paste the URL into the top search bar in GSC and click 'Request Indexing'. This tells Google to crawl your new content immediately rather than waiting for them to find it naturally.
- Security Issues: Keep an eye on the 'Security & Manual Actions' tab. If your site gets hacked or if Google thinks you're using 'black hat' SEO tactics, this is where they will tell you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Verifying the wrong version: If you use the 'URL Prefix' method, make sure you verify the exact version (HTTPS vs HTTP). If you get it wrong, you’ll see zero data.
- Deleting the DNS Record: Once verified, do not delete the TXT record from your DNS settings. Google periodically re-verifies ownership; if the record is gone, you'll lose access to your data.
- Ignoring Performance Emails: Google will email you when they find new 'Index' issues. Don't ignore these; they often point to broken links that could be costing you customers.
Troubleshooting
- "Ownership verification failed": Double-check that you pasted the TXT record into the correct domain. Sometimes people have their domain at one provider and their hosting at another—make sure you're editing the DNS where the 'Name Servers' are pointed.
- "Sitemap could not be read": This is common for brand-new sites. Wait 24 hours. If it still persists, open your sitemap URL in a browser to ensure it actually loads a page of code.
- No data appearing: If you've just set up GSC, it will be empty. It takes 24–48 hours for Google to start populating the performance charts.
Next Steps
Now that your Search Console is live, your next task is to monitor your Performance Report. Look for keywords where you are appearing on Page 2 (Position 11–20) and see if you can improve those pages to nudge them onto Page 1.If you find the technical side of DNS and indexing a bit overwhelming, the team at Local Marketing Group is here to help. We specialise in helping Brisbane businesses dominate local search. Contact us today to ensure your website is perfectly optimised for Google.