Step-by-Step: Setting Up Google Search Console for Your Website
Most Kenyan Businesses Never Check This Free Tool
If you own a website but have never opened Google Search Console, you’re flying blind.
This free tool from Google shows how your website is performing, what keywords people use to find you, and which pages need fixing.
At Tera Creations, we install this for every client during onboarding, whether they’re focused on web design or SEO services in Kenya.
Today, you’ll learn how to set it up yourself in 5 simple steps.
Step 1: Go to the Official Google Search Console Page
Visit: https://search.google.com/search-console
Click “Start Now” and sign in using your Google account (preferably the one tied to your website).
Step 2: Choose Your Verification Type
You’ll see two options:
- Domain (recommended): Covers your site across all subdomains and protocols (e.g., www, non-www, http, https)
- URL Prefix: Best if you’re using a single domain structure (e.g., only https://yourdomain.com)
Choose Domain if you’re unsure.
Step 3: Verify Ownership
If you chose Domain, you’ll get a TXT record to add to your domain’s DNS settings.
- Copy the TXT record from Google Search Console.
- Log in to your domain host (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Truehost).
- Find the DNS management section and paste the TXT record.
- Save and return to Search Console to verify.
Tip: If you use CPanel or Cloudflare, DNS updates may take 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 4: Submit Your Sitemap
Once verified, go to the “Sitemaps” section on the left sidebar.
Enter this: sitemap_index.xml
This tells Google where your blog and service pages live.
You can learn more in our blog: How Blogging Can Boost Website Traffic in Kenya
Step 5: Start Monitoring
Within a few days, you’ll start seeing:
- Which queries are bringing in traffic
- What your top pages are
- Mobile usability issues
- Index coverage reports
If you’re blogging consistently (as explained in Why Every Kenyan Brand Needs a Blog in 2025), this data becomes extremely useful.
Bonus: Link It to Google Analytics
For better tracking, link your Google Search Console to your Google Analytics 4 (GA4) account.
In GA4, go to Admin > Property Settings
Scroll to “Search Console” and link it
This gives you better visibility under one dashboard.
Final Tips for Kenyan Website Owners
- Check your “Coverage” tab monthly
- Use “Performance” data to improve old blog posts
- Track your branded vs. non-branded search queries
- Submit updated sitemaps whenever you publish new blogs
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