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Setup Guide

Step-by-step instructions to connect your website with Google Search Console and integrate with KopplaHQ

Google Search Console is a free tool that shows how Google sees a website. Before using KopplaHQ's SEO Manager, practitioners need to set up a Google Search Console account and verify ownership of the website.

This guide walks through the entire setup process, from creating an account to connecting it with KopplaHQ.

Time required: 30-45 minutes for first-time setup

What This Guide Covers

By the end of this guide, practitioners will have:

  • A Google Search Console account
  • Website verified and confirmed
  • A sitemap submitted to Google
  • Google Search Console connected to KopplaHQ

Complete Setup Process

Create a Google Account

A Google account is required to use Search Console.

If there's already a Gmail account, skip this step. Otherwise:

  1. Go to accounts.google.com
  2. Click "Create account"
  3. Follow the prompts to set up the account
  4. Use a business email if possible for better organization
Pro tip: Consider using a practice-specific Google account rather than a personal one. This makes it easier to share access with team members or contractors later.

Access Google Search Console

Once the Google account is ready:

  1. Visit search.google.com/search-console
  2. Sign in with the Google account
  3. Click "Start now" if this is the first time

The welcome screen will appear asking to add a property.

Add the Website Property

A "property" is Google's term for a website.

Domain Property (Recommended)

This option covers all variations of the website URL at once:

  • http://yoursite.com
  • https://yoursite.com
  • http://www.yoursite.com
  • https://www.yoursite.com
  • All subdirectories and subdomains

When to choose this: If there's technical access to the domain's DNS settings (most hosting providers provide this access).

URL Prefix Property

This option covers only the exact URL entered.

When to choose this: If DNS settings aren't accessible or only a specific subdomain needs tracking.

For most therapy practice websites, the Domain property is the better choice.

Verify Ownership

Google needs proof of website ownership. There are several verification methods available.

Method 1: DNS Verification (Recommended for Domain Properties)

This is required if the Domain property type was chosen.

  1. Google will display a TXT record to add
  2. Copy the entire TXT record
  3. Log into the domain registrar or hosting provider
  4. Find the DNS settings (sometimes called DNS Management or Name Server Management)
  5. Add a new TXT record with the value Google provided
  6. Save the changes
  7. Return to Google Search Console and click "Verify"
DNS changes can take 24-72 hours to propagate, but verification often works within an hour.

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Method 2: HTML File Upload

This works for URL Prefix properties.

  1. Download the HTML verification file from Google
  2. Upload it to the website's root directory using FTP or the hosting file manager
  3. Verify the file is accessible by visiting the URL Google provides
  4. Return to Google Search Console and click "Verify"
The file must remain on the server to maintain verification.

Method 3: HTML Tag

This works for URL Prefix properties and is easiest if editing the website's HTML is possible.

  1. Copy the meta tag Google provides
  2. Add it to the <head> section of the website's homepage
  3. Return to Google Search Console and click "Verify"

For WordPress users: This can be added using a plugin like Insert Headers and Footers, or through the theme's header settings.

Method 4: Google Analytics

If Google Analytics is already installed:

  1. Ensure the same Google account is signed in for both tools
  2. Choose the Google Analytics verification method
  3. Select the Analytics property
  4. Click "Verify"

This only works if the Google Analytics tag uses the same Google account.

Method 5: Google Tag Manager

Similar to Google Analytics, if Google Tag Manager is set up:

  1. Choose the Google Tag Manager verification method
  2. Ensure the container tag is in the site's <head> section
  3. Click "Verify"

Wait for Data to Populate

After verification, Google needs time to collect data about the website.

  • Initial data collection: 24-48 hours for basic information
  • Complete data: 3-7 days for comprehensive reports
The next steps can proceed immediately, but some reports will be empty until Google crawls the site.

Submit the Sitemap

A sitemap tells Google about all the pages on a website. Most modern website platforms generate sitemaps automatically.

Find the Sitemap URL

Try visiting these URLs in a browser to see if the sitemap exists:

  • yoursite.com/sitemap.xml (most common)
  • yoursite.com/sitemap_index.xml
  • yoursite.com/wp-sitemap.xml (WordPress)
  • yoursite.com/sitemap/ (some platforms)

Submit the Sitemap to Google

  1. In Google Search Console, click "Sitemaps" in the left menu
  2. Enter the sitemap URL (e.g. https://yoursite.com/sitemap.xml)
  3. Click "Submit"
  4. Wait for Google to process it (can take 1-7 days)
Status changes from Pending to Success with a number of discovered URLs.
Common issues:
  • Sitemap couldn't be read: The file doesn't exist at that URL or isn't accessible
  • Sitemap is an HTML page: The wrong URL was entered
  • General HTTP error: The server is blocking Google from accessing the file

Monitor the New Property

After submitting the sitemap, check back in 3-7 days to see:

  • Index Coverage: Which pages Google has indexed
  • Performance: Search traffic data (requires at least 2-3 weeks of history)
  • URL Inspection: Individual page status

Email notifications will arrive if Google finds critical issues like security problems or manual actions.

Connect to KopplaHQ

Now that Google Search Console is set up, connect it to KopplaHQ to access these tools directly within the marketing platform.

  1. Log into the KopplaHQ account
  2. Navigate to Settings > Integrations
  3. Find "Google Search Console" and click Connect
  4. Sign in with the same Google account used for Search Console
  5. Grant the requested permissions (KopplaHQ needs read access to display the data)
  6. Select the website property from the dropdown
  7. Click Confirm
The "Connected" status should appear with the website URL. Search Console data can now be accessed through SEO Manager in KopplaHQ's main menu.

What Happens Next?

After setup is complete, here's what to expect:

Immediately available:

  • Property verification status
  • Basic site overview
  • Sitemap submission confirmation

Within 3-7 days:

  • Index coverage data
  • URL inspection results
  • Crawl stats

Within 2-4 weeks:

  • Search performance metrics
  • Click and impression data
  • Query information

Getting Help

For Google Search Console setup issues

Next Steps

After completing this setup, continue your SEO journey with these guides:
  1. Explore Sitemap Management to understand your sitemap health
  2. Try the URL Inspector to check important pages
  3. Review Understanding SEO Health to learn what your metrics mean

Overview

Monitor and optimize your site's search performance with integrated Google Search Console tools

Sitemap Management

View, validate, and manage your XML sitemaps through Google Search Console