Updated December 8, 2021
Reading Time: < 1 minuteLearning to use Web Analytic tools (like Webmaster Tools) can be an overwhelming task especially if you’re new to managing a website. Google has set up an amazing amount of information in their Webmaster Central (help forum) collection. But they also created Webmaster Academy, educational materials designed just for beginners. These modular lesson plans cover topics like:
- How Google works (no, it doesn’t reveal their coveted algorithm)
- Getting your site indexed (seen) by search engines
- Influencers on site listings
- Suggestions about creating content, images and video
- Google Plus
Webmaster Tools is very different than Google Analytics. While GA provides a wealth of data related to your site’s traffic, Webmaster Tools has diagnostic tools to ensure you site is healthy and Google friendly. It also provides search traffic information. By knowing the specifics on how visitors are finding your site, you can make key decisions on how to improve optimization and thus helping Google better understand and represent your site.
Best of all, these tools are free. But don’t be fooled… while you don’t spend dollars on these aids, be prepared to spend time. Like anything worthwhile, it takes effort to learn the application. Webmaster Academy is a great place to start. Then, it takes diligence to monitor your site as nothing stands still on the Web.