There are many tools out there to help you improve your website. You might use SEO tools, image optimizers, speed boosters, cybersecurity solutions, or content management systems. But for marketing, website analytics tools are valuable.
What is Google Search Console (GSC)?
Google launched what we now call Google Search Console in 2006. Back then, it was called Google Webmaster Tools and helped users see how search engines interacted with their sites. In 2015, Google changed the name to Google Search Console. Google fully retired this old version in September 2019, and you can now only use the new tool.
Google Search Console currently offers many features, including:
- Sitemap submission: A sitemap provides detail on the pages and files in a domain.
- Crawl rate monitoring: Your crawl rate is how many requests Google’s crawlers make to your site per second.
- A list: of internal and external links for the domain:
- Core web vitals reporting: This feature shows how your pages perform based on real-world data.
- Keyword monitoring: This includes what keywords people search for to find your pages.
- Security issue monitoring: This feature looks for website flaws that are vulnerable to malware or hackers.
- Website speed reports: This feature helps you make your website faster.
What is Google Analytics (GA)?
Google Analytics was inspired by two earlier tools: Urchin on Demand and Measure Map. Google bought Urchin Software Corp, the company behind Urchin on Demand, in 2005, and acquired Adaptive Path, which created Measure Map, in 2006. The public first got access to Google Analytics in August 2006, after a limited initial release. Google updated the platform in 2011 and introduced Universal Analytics in 2012. More versions followed, including Google Analytics 360 in 2016.
Google Search Console vs Google Analytics: The Core Differences
Google Analytics shows how your website is doing online. It tracks visitors from search engines, social media, referrals, and direct visits. With these insights, you can adjust your site to bring in more visitors.
Google Search Console, on the other hand, helps you see how Google views your site. By linking with Google Ads, you can create audience segments for ad targeting and see how your campaigns are doing right in GA4.
The first major point of comparison is the data each platform collects for you.
Google Analytics tracks many different metrics, but most people focus on just a few. Some of the most important ones are: Bounce rate, which shows the percentage of visitors who leave your site without clicking to another page. Unique pageviews, which count the number of times a page is viewed, but only once per person per session, even if they reload the page. Average session duration, which tells you how long people spend on your site on average. Conversions, which can be anything important
How Google Search Console and Google Analytics Work Together
Google Search Console and Google Analytics might look like they do similar things, but they actually work well together. When you connect Search Console data to Analytics, you get even more helpful insights.
When you link these tools, you get a better understanding of your digital marketing. This can help you attract more visitors and boost your SEO. You can also create reports and charts more easily using Search Console data. Setting up the connection is easy.5.
First, log into Google Analytics. Click on ‘Acquisition,’ then choose ‘Search Console.’ Pick one of the four options: ‘Landing Pages,’ ‘Countries,’ ‘Devices,’ or ‘Queries.’ Click ‘Set Up Search Console Data Sharing.’ Enter your property settings and click ‘Save.’ A message will appear to confirm your success.
5. Which Tool Best To Use GSC or GA?
There are many guides on the web that can help to ensure that you are running an optimal implementation of Google Analytics for your chosen platform. Here are guides for setting up Google Analytics on:
- WordPress
- Shopify
- Magento
Tips for Maximizing Both Tools
Problem identification
From our experience, marketers sometimes run into problems with Google Analytics that are easy to avoid. If GA is set up incorrectly, it can give you bad data and lead to the wrong insights. This might cause you to use the wrong SEO strategy and hurt your search results.
Tracking Code
Most major platforms let you add GA’s tracking code easily through settings or plugins. It’s smart to check your GA setup early so your data is accurate from the beginning. That way, you avoid running into data issues months down the line. For example, it’s worth creating a second “view” in GA that filters out bot traffic and referral spam.
Setting Objectives and Monitoring Conversions
You can use both platforms to gauge the potential effectiveness of all of your SEO activities. For instance, you may create custom goals in Google Analytics to monitor the various online actions that each of your users completes, such completing a form or making a purchase. You may more precisely gauge the return on investment (ROI) of your different digital marketing initiatives with this tool.
Maximize the Benefits of GA and GSC
You may use both GSC and GA as useful tools to assist develop and enhance the functionality and visibility of your website.
Technical SEO and Site Health
For checking your site’s technical SEO Google Search Console is usually the best tool to use. Google Search Console excels in identifying technical SEO issues. Things like crawl errors, mobile usability issues, and security problems help you stay on top of your site and ensure it is accessible and indexable by Google.
Final Thoughts
GA4 gives you detailed tools to understand your audience, group your website’s users, and see how people move through your site to become customers. Simply put, GA4 helps you track how leads turn into customers.