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Using Google Search Console: A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Smarter SEO

Diagram showing Google Search Console features: URL inspection, performance, rich results, sitemap, mobile usability, and more. Arrows link actions.

What Is Google Search Console?

Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that helps business owners, marketers, and webmasters monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot their site’s presence in Google Search results. Whether you're managing your own website or working with a digital marketing agency like Vanderslice Marketing, understanding and using Google Search Console is essential for strategic SEO planning (Google Search Central, 2024).


Why Using Google Search Console Matters for Small Businesses (H2)

For small businesses, visibility in Google Search isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Using

Google Search Console gives you access to:

  • Keywords that drive traffic to your site

  • Device-specific and location-based performance insights

  • Pages that get the most impressions and clicks

  • Indexing and crawl errors affecting your rankings


It also helps you identify which improvements can lead to better performance in organic search—making it an indispensable tool for ROI-focused businesses (Moz, 2023).


Key Features to Know When Using Google Search Console (H2)

Performance Report

This is your main dashboard for search traffic data. The Performance tab shows clicks, impressions, CTR, and average ranking position—all segmented by page, search term, device, or country.


Why it matters: This is where you'll discover what people are typing into Google before finding your site. When using Google Search Console consistently, this report becomes the foundation of smart keyword targeting (Google Search Central, 2024).


Coverage Report

Track which of your pages are indexed successfully and which ones are blocked by errors or exclusions.


Why it matters: Google can’t rank what it can’t crawl. This report is vital for identifying and resolving technical issues (Ahrefs, 2023).


Mobile Usability

With mobile searches surpassing desktop, this report shows which of your pages are mobile-friendly—and which are not (Statista, 2024).

Why it matters: Google favors mobile-friendly sites. If you’re using Google Search Console to track performance but ignoring mobile usability, you’re missing key optimization opportunities (Google Mobile Guidelines, 2024).


Core Web Vitals

Page speed, layout shifts, and load responsiveness—this report tracks them all. It’s essential for improving UX and meeting Google’s evolving standards (Google Page Experience Update, 2021).


How Vanderslice Marketing Uses Google Search Console for Clients

At Vanderslice Marketing, using Google Search Console is part of every SEO strategy. Here's what we monitor and improve regularly:

  • Underperforming keywords that need content support

  • High-CTR pages that deserve more visibility

  • Indexing issues blocking valuable landing pages

  • User behavior shifts across devices or geographies


We don’t guess—we execute based on data directly from Google. Search Console insights fuel better content decisions, technical fixes, and long-term growth strategies (Search Engine Journal, 2024).


Getting Started with Google Search Console

If you haven’t connected your site yet:

  1. Go to https://search.google.com/search-console

  2. Add your domain property

  3. Verify ownership using one of several Google-approved methods

  4. Begin using Google Search Console to monitor performance


Need help? Vanderslice Marketing offers complete setup and training sessions so you can make the most of the platform (Google Support, 2024).


Conclusion: Start Using Google Search Console Today

For any business looking to improve their online presence, using Google Search Console is a non-negotiable step. It delivers critical visibility into how your site performs, how Google sees it, and what changes will move you up in the rankings.

If you’re ready to take a smarter approach to SEO, contact Vanderslice Marketing. We’ll help you use the data inside Search Console to make informed, growth-driven decisions.




What is Google Search Console used for?

Google Search Console is used to track how your website appears in Google Search. It shows keyword rankings, page performance, indexing issues, mobile usability, and more—all essential for improving your site’s SEO.

Is using Google Search Console free?

Yes, using Google Search Console is completely free. It’s a powerful tool offered by Google to help website owners monitor and improve their search visibility without paying for ads.

How often should I check Google Search Console?

We recommend checking it at least once a week. Regularly using Google Search Console allows you to spot new keyword opportunities, fix indexing issues early, and track performance trends over time.

Does Google Search Console show all website traffic?

No, it only shows traffic that comes from Google Search. For a complete view of all traffic sources (direct, referral, social, etc.), you’ll also want to use Google Analytics alongside Google Search Console.

Do I need technical skills to use Google Search Console?

Not necessarily. While some features require basic web knowledge, the dashboard is designed to be user-friendly. At Vanderslice Marketing, we also offer training sessions to help clients understand how to start using Google Search Console with confidence.




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Jay Vanderslice

Jay Vanderslice is the founder of Vanderslice Marketing LLC and a marketing strategist with a background in business development, client engagement, and local advertising. Prior to launching Vanderslice Marketing, Jay worked at Doylestown Sports Medicine Center, where he managed digital ad strategy and led community outreach initiatives.

 

Jay’s ability to connect with small business owners stems from years of hands-on experience. While earning his degree in Business Administration from Kutztown University, he coordinated large-scale philanthropy events and collaborated with organizations like the Brandywine ASPCA, the It's On Us Foundation, and the National Arthritic Foundation. He brings that same grassroots energy and strategic thinking to the clients he now serves—helping local businesses across industries grow through targeted digital, print, and brand strategies.

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