A Simple Guide to Using Google Site Kit for Beginners

Here’s a simple guide to using Google Site Kit for beginners to track website performance:

What is Google Site Kit?

Google Site Kit is a free WordPress plugin that allows you to easily connect and view data from various Google tools directly in your WordPress dashboard. It brings together insights from Google Search Console, Google Analytics, PageSpeed Insights, and more in one convenient place[1].

Setting Up Google Site Kit

Step 1: Install the Plugin

1. Log into your WordPress dashboard
2. Go to Plugins > Add New
3. Search for “Google Site Kit”
4. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate”[3]

Step 2: Connect Your Google Account

1. Click “Start Setup” when prompted
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Grant the necessary permissions for Site Kit to access your data
4. Verify ownership of your website (Site Kit will handle this automatically in most cases)[3]

Step 3: Connect Google Services

After the initial setup, you’ll be prompted to connect additional Google services:

1. Google Search Console (automatically set up during initial configuration)
2. Google Analytics
3. PageSpeed Insights
4. AdSense (if applicable)[1][4]

For each service, follow the prompts to grant access and configure settings.

Using Google Site Kit

Once set up, you can access Site Kit data in two main ways:

1. Site Kit Dashboard

Access an overview of your site’s performance by going to Site Kit > Dashboard in your WordPress admin menu. Here you’ll see key metrics from connected services at a glance[1].

2. Individual Page/Post Insights

When editing a page or post, scroll down to see Site Kit data specific to that content, including:

• Search performance
• Page views
• Average time on page
• PageSpeed scores[4]

Key Features for Beginners

1. Search Console Data: See how your site appears in Google search results and which queries bring visitors to your site.
2. Analytics Overview: View important traffic metrics like page views, session duration, and bounce rate.
3. PageSpeed Insights: Check how fast your pages load on mobile and desktop devices.
4. AdSense Integration: If you use AdSense, monitor your ad revenue directly in WordPress[1][2].

Tips for Getting Started

1. Take time to explore each connected service’s dashboard to familiarize yourself with available data.
2. Use the page-specific insights to identify which content is performing well and which may need improvement.
3. Regularly check your Site Kit dashboard to stay informed about your website’s overall performance.
4. Don’t get overwhelmed – focus on a few key metrics at first and gradually expand your analysis as you become more comfortable with the tool.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to set up Google Site Kit and start tracking your website’s performance right from your WordPress dashboard. As you become more familiar with the tool, you can dive deeper into the various insights it provides to help improve your site’s visibility and user experience.

Citations:
[1] https://managewp.com/blog/google-site-kit-guide
[2] https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/wordpress/a-guide-to-using-the-google-site-kit-wordpress-plugin
[3] https://sitekit.withgoogle.com/documentation/getting-started/install/
[4] https://www.wpexplorer.com/google-site-kit-wordpress/
[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2xNlO1JwvU
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_gVu1bIdiw
[7] https://sitekit.withgoogle.com
[8] https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/11898619?hl=en