Google Search Console 101: Why It’s Essential for SEO

Put simply, Google Search Console (GSC) helps you monitor the overall performance and strength of your apartment community’s organic search performance over time. GSC is a free tool, and its capabilities continue to expand as Google rolls out new features.

GSC can be utilized to monitor two main sets of metrics for your website – organic search impressions and technical performance.

The basics are as follows:
Namely, you will want to use GSC to monitor overall domain authority and site performance. You can set the analytical date range however you wish, which allows you to see fluctuations over time and compare year-over-year (YOY) time periods to uncover seasonal differences, anomalies, and more. Key metrics to keep track of include:

Technical Performance

• Site Speed, Mobile Friendliness
• Is your website loading properly and within an acceptable amount of time? Is it mobile-friendly and easily accessible on mobile devices? GSC can help you assess your site speed and any layout issues that might affect mobile experience.
Image source: Google
• Experience
• What is the experience like for users who visit your site? It should be easy for them to navigate and find the information they are looking for while also ensuring there are minimal differences between the experience they receive on desktop vs. mobile.
• Indexing
• Web pages are indexed and stored after being crawled and studied by Google. Indexing is important because Google will store this information for any applicable searches in the future. You can use GSC to see how many pages on your site are already indexed and which are still in the queue and require further attention.
• XML Sitemap
• A good sitemap is crucial in guiding Google to all of your most important pages while allowing a better understanding of your website structure and the information contained within. Although a sitemap is not required, it is highly recommended to submit your sitemap through Google Search Console.

• Errors
• Numerous errors or dead-end links can lower the quality of your website. GSC can help you identify numerous types of errors, including redirect errors and the infamous “not found” error.

As Google prioritizes content and overall structure of information in terms of serving up applicable Search results to users, GSC is a good way to keep tabs on how your site stacks up against others.

As multifamily marketing professionals, it’s important to keep your website nice, tidy, and informative. With so much competition in your local marketplace, it’s imperative to keep your site up to par so that potential residents are better able to find you and take the action you want them to take – mainly completing the leasing process and becoming your newest resident.

If you are looking for a digital marketing partner to help you ensure that all of your websites are connected to Google Search Console and implement best practices, contact Dyverse today.