Out of the numerous webmaster tools that are available in the internet, there are three main webmaster tools that any webmaster should use to get better search engine visibility in major search engines. Each webmaster tool has its own importance and many inherit almost the same features. But considering the major search engines that drive more traffic, Google, Yahoo and MSN are the leaders in the business. As a webmaster when I start optimizing any website, I will consider getting traffic from all three major search engines. So here I would like to give you an overview of webmaster tools provided by each Search Engine folks. My first priority always goes for Google (Sorry to be ambassadorial, I just love Google to bits). Once you are through with your website pages and ready to take off live, using the webmaster tool is imperative.
Google webmaster tools are an easy way for you to submit all your URLs to the Google index and get detailed reports about the visibility of your pages on Google. To get started, simply add the URL of your site. You’ll start to see information about your site right away.
How to Add your Website:
Go to https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/
Type your domain name in the Domain Field and Click on Add Site
Now you have added your website to Google Webmaster Tools, now the next step is to tell Google that you are the Webmaster of this website. Without telling this, Google will not give access to more information about your website.
You need to verify your site.
Click on Verify your Site
Google now gives you two methods to verify your site. Adding a meta tag or Uploading an HTML file
You can either upload an HTML file with a name we specify, or you can add a meta tag to your site’s index file. Choose your preferred method. If it is adding meta tag you will get a code something like this: <meta name=”verify-v1″ content=”xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx=” />
Please not that the Content “xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx=” is unique and you need to copy the meta id generated in your website account.
Copy the meta tag listed below and paste it in your site’s home page in the first <head> section of the page, before the first <body> section.
See example given below:
<html>
Place meta tag after the<head> tag and before the</head> tag <head>
<meta name=”verify-v1″ content=”xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx=” />
<title> My title </title>
</head>
<body>
page contents
</body>
</html>
Click on Verify button when you have done the above step.
Your site will be verified and you can start using webmaster tools to monitor your website.If you choose to verify your website by uploading an HTML file , you need to select the option. Google will now give you a verification number which look something like googlexxxxxxxxxxxxxx.html
You need to add a page in your website and name it as googlexxxxxxxxxxxxxx.html and place it in the root folder.
Make sure you have done the below given steps and click on verify button.
1. I’ve created a file named googlexxxxxxxxxxxxxx.html.
2. I’ve uploaded the file to http://www.mydomain.com/ and can view http://www.mydomain.com/googlexxxxxxxxxxxxxx.html in my browser.
Once you verify that you’re the site owner, we can provide you with comprehensive statistics and error information about the pages in your site. If you’re unable to verify, you can still use the webmaster tools, submit Sitemaps, and see detailed information about those Sitemaps as well as basic information about your site.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Couldn’t be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing! My blog http://www.iblogme.com/psychologicalytheori/
Is there any way to submit all Blogger’s blog posts feed to Google Webmasters… Check it out here – http://praveenbattula.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-submit-all-posts-to-google.html
Loyal readers are difficult to come by, but u have just converted me!
Honestly it’s hard to locate a worthy blog worth commenting on these days, the web is actually too flooded. Love this post, love your blog. Just thought i would let you know!