Boost Your Shopify Store's Visibility on Google with Google Search Console
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Importance of Google Search Console for Shopify Stores
- Setting Up Google Search Console for Your Shopify Store
3.1. Accessing Google Search Console
3.2. Verifying Ownership of Your Store
3.3. Adding a Sitemap
- Checking the Status of Your Google Search Console
- Checking the Number of Indexed Pages
- Double-checking Indexed Pages with a Browser Hack
- Inspecting and Submitting Individual URLs
- Waiting for Google to Process the Information
- Additional Resources for Getting Listed on Google Shopping
- Conclusion
How to Get Your Shopify Store on Google Search
Are you frustrated because your Shopify store is not showing up on Google? Do you want to learn how to get your store listed on Google search results? In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up Google Search Console for your Shopify store so that Google knows your store exists and can display it to potential customers. We will cover the importance of Google Search Console, step-by-step instructions on how to set it up, and tips for checking the status of your Google Search Console. So, let's get started!
Introduction
In today's digital marketplace, it is crucial for businesses to have an online presence and be easily discoverable on search engines. Google search is often the first place where customers look for products and services. If your Shopify store is not showing up on Google, you are missing out on potential customers and sales. That's where Google Search Console comes in.
Importance of Google Search Console for Shopify Stores
Google Search Console, previously known as the Google Webmaster tool, is a free tool provided by Google to help website owners and online store owners improve their visibility on Google search. By setting up Google Search Console for your Shopify store, you can inform Google that your store exists and provide information about your products and web pages. Google will then process this information and consider showing your store on relevant search results.
Without setting up Google Search Console, your store will remain invisible to Google's search algorithm. With thousands of new websites and online stores going live every day, it is impossible for Google to scan and index all of them without specific information. By setting up Google Search Console, you take control of your store's visibility on Google search.
Setting Up Google Search Console for Your Shopify Store
Setting up Google Search Console for your Shopify store is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps. Let's walk through each step in detail:
Accessing Google Search Console
To get started, go to Google and search for "Google Search Console." Click on the first result, which should lead you to the Google Search Console homepage. Click on the "Start now" button to sign in to your Google account.
Verifying Ownership of Your Store
Once you are signed in, you need to verify that you are the owner of your Shopify store. This verification process ensures that only you have access to your store's information and prevents others from submitting unrelated or false information to Google. Follow the instructions provided by Google to verify your ownership. This typically involves adding a piece of code or a DNS record to your domain.
Adding a Sitemap
After verifying ownership, the next step is to add a sitemap to Google Search Console. A sitemap is a file that contains information about the structure of your website and its pages. Shopify automatically generates a sitemap for your store, so you don't need to create one yourself. Simply enter your store's URL and add "/sitemap.xml" to the end. Submit this URL to Google Search Console, and Google will use it to understand the layout and content of your store.
Checking the Status of Your Google Search Console
Once your Google Search Console is set up, you can use the reporting interface to check the status of your store's visibility on Google search. This interface provides information about the indexed pages, clicks from Google, and other insights that can help you improve your store's performance.
Checking the Number of Indexed Pages
It's important to ensure that all your store's pages are indexed by Google. Indexed pages are the ones that Google recognizes and shows on search results. To check the number of indexed pages, you can use the "URL inspection" feature in Google Search Console. Simply enter the URL of each page and ask Google to index them individually. This ensures that all your pages are discoverable by potential customers.
Double-checking Indexed Pages with a Browser Hack
To double-check the indexed pages of your store, you can perform a quick browser hack. Type "site: your Shopify store URL" in your browser's search bar and press enter. Google will display all the pages it knows about your store. This hack helps you identify any missing or undiscovered pages that may need to be indexed. It also provides a comprehensive view of the indexed pages, allowing you to reconcile them with your sitemap.
Inspecting and Submitting Individual URLs
If you discover that some pages are not indexed by Google, you can individually inspect and submit those URLs using Google Search Console. This ensures that those pages are crawled and indexed by Google, increasing their chances of appearing in search results.
Waiting for Google to Process the Information
After submitting your sitemap and individual URLs, you need to be patient and wait for Google to process the information. It may take a few days to one to two weeks for Google to analyze your store's content and make it available on search results. During this time, Google's algorithms will categorize your pages, determining their relevance to potential shoppers.
Additional Resources for Getting Listed on Google Shopping
If you want to further optimize your store's visibility on Google, you can explore other resources, such as getting your products listed on Google Shopping. There are several strategies and techniques you can employ to maximize your store's exposure and drive more traffic and sales.
Conclusion
Getting your Shopify store listed on Google search is essential for attracting potential customers and driving sales. By setting up Google Search Console and providing the necessary information about your store, you increase your chances of appearing in relevant search results. Follow the step-by-step guide outlined in this article to set up Google Search Console and improve your store's visibility on Google. With the right strategies and tools, you can effectively compete in the online marketplace and grow your business.
