Think your website appears first in Google Search results? Perhaps it appears to. However, this doesn’t tell the full story. Many business owners fail to realise that what they personally see in search results isn’t necessarily the same as what the rest of the world will see. But don't worry, there is a great tool that you can use to track your Google search rank as a less subjective observer.

 Laura England, junior account manager, Stone Junction.

Tracking your Google rank isn’t as simple as searching for your keywords and seeing where you rank. Why? Because Google will personalise your results based on your search history, social connections and your physical location.

For instance, if you are using the company’s IP address, or a device that has regularly visited the company website, the likelihood of your website appearing first will increase.

Google Search Console, formerly Google Webmaster Tools, is a free tool that allows you to monitor your website and its presence in Google Search results. Importantly, the tool allows you to see your website less as a subjective observer, but more as Google sees it.

Once it’s installed, Google Search Console can tell you how many people are visiting your site, how they are finding it and where you are actually ranking on Google Search results, along with a plethora of other insightful data.

However, before you can benefit from the tool, you need to add and verify your site. This process proves to Google that you are either the sites owner or another authorised user. Adding Search Console is a simple process, which requires logging into your Search Console account and ‘adding property’ — this simply means clicking a button and submitting your URL.

Next, you need to verify the site. There are several ways to do this including uploading a HTML file, adding a meta tag to your website’s homepage or using Google Tag Manager.

If it sounds confusing, don’t worry. Google can guide you through this process once logged into its Search Console. However, if all else fails, the team at Stone Junction are here to help.

Contact the team on +44 (0) 1785 225416 or laura@stonejunction.co.uk. We’re happy to provide more information on how you can improve your Google ranking and gain a better insight into your website’s performance.