Category: Onboarding

Here’s how to grant access to your company’s Google Analytics 4 (GA4) account.

1. Go to https://analytics.google.com/
2. Click Admin (gear icon, lower-left corner)
3. In the Account column (far left), click Account Access Management
4. Click the + button (upper-right), then select Add users
5. Enter the desired email address
6. Under “Role,” select Editor
7. Click Add

What Editor access includes:

• View reports and configuration
• Create and edit assets (audiences, custom dimensions, etc.)
• Share reports and collaborate
• Cannot add/remove users

Here’s how to give Garrett Digital access to your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) account. These instructions assume you already have Google My Business set up for your business.

1. Go to https://www.google.com/business/
2. Click Manage Now in the upper-right corner.
3. Sign in with your email and password.
4. Click on your listing under the Locations subheading.
5. Select Users from the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
6. Click the + button on the upper-right corner of the Manage Users screen.
7. Enter the email address, select Site Manager from the drop-down on the bottom left, and click Invite.

Here’s how to give Garrett Digital access to your Google Tag Manager account. These instructions assume you already have Google Tag Manager set up for your website.

1. Go to https://tagmanager.google.com/
2. Click to select the desired website under the Containers section of the Accounts pane.
3. Click Admin at the top left of the screen.
4. Click User Management in the first column.
5. Click the + button in the upper-right corner, then select Add Users.
6. Enter the email address of the person you wish to provide access.
7. Check the boxes next to User, then click Set All.
8. From the Set all containers permissions screen, check all boxes (Publish, Approve, Edit, Read), then click Done.
9. Click the Invite button in the upper-right corner.

There are several reasons you might grant someone access to your WordPress site:

• Web developers: To build, design, or update your website.
• Content contributors: To add articles or manage content.
• SEO specialists: To optimize your site’s search engine performance.

Steps

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard: Go to your website’s admin login (usually at yoursitename.com/wp-admin) and enter your administrator credentials.
2. Navigate to Users: Click the “Users” tab in the left-hand sidebar.
3. Create a new user: Click “Add New”.
4. Enter user information:
   • Username: Choose a unique, easy-to-remember name. Avoid using “admin” for security.
   • Email address: A valid email address where the user can receive notifications.
   • Password: Create a strong password using the “Generate Password” button. This will be changed soon, but it should be strong if someone tries to access the account before that change occurs.
5. Send new user notification: Check this box so WordPress will email the new user their login details and a link to reset their password to one of their choosing.
6. Choose User Role: Select “Administrator”. This grants full access to all WordPress settings and features.
7. Add New User: Click the “Add New User” button.

Additional Tips

• Temporary Access: If access is needed for a limited time, set a reminder to revoke it later. You can remove users in the same “Users” section of your dashboard.
• Password Best Practices: Encourage strong passwords and consider using a password manager tool.

Requirements

• Desktop computer (PC, Mac, or Chromebook) — Important: This process won’t work as described on mobile devices.
• Existing Google Account or a new email address

Note: Google frequently updates its interfaces. These instructions were accurate as of 2023. If you encounter differences or need assistance, please let us know.

Steps

1. Visit the Google Ads website: https://ads.google.com
2. Click “Start Now”.
3. Sign in or create an account:
   • Use an existing Google Account.
   • Create a new account. Important: If you use Google Payments for anything else on this account, consider creating a new one (ideally yourname@yourbusiness.com).
4. Bypass campaign setup:
   • Click “Experienced with Google Ads?”
   • Select “Create an account without a campaign”
5. Confirm time zone, then click “Submit”.
6. Click “Explore Your Account”.

Adding Payment Information

7. Click “Tools” (upper-right corner).
8. Select “Billing & Payments”.
9. Enter billing details, agree to the terms, and then click “Submit”. Note: Google Ads charges when you reach spending thresholds (usually $250 or $500). You won’t be billed until we create and you approve ads.
10. Find your 10-digit account number (upper-right corner).

Granting Garrett Digital Access

11. Email your account number to garrett@garrettdigital.com.
12. Wait for an access request from Garrett Digital. This request will be sent to the email address used to create the Google Ads account.
13. Check that email and click the link to grant Garrett Digital management access.

Granting access to your Google Search Console (GSC) is essential for collaborating with team members, SEO consultants, or digital marketers. It allows them to monitor your website’s performance and make improvements effectively.

This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step process to add users to your GSC account, ensuring they have the appropriate permissions to assist you.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure:

• You have Owner or Full access to the Google Search Console property.
• The person you’re adding has a Google account (Gmail or a Google Workspace email).
• You know which permission level they need (Full or Restricted).

If you don’t have Owner access, you’ll need to ask the current Owner to grant it to you before you can add users.

Step 1: Sign In to Google Search Console

1. Go to Google Search Console.
2. Log in with your Google account.

Step 2: Select Your Property

1. In the top-left corner, click on the property selector dropdown.
2. Choose the website (or property) you want to manage. If your website is listed multiple times, choose the one that says (Domain Property) under the URL.

Step 3: Access Settings

1. Scroll down to the bottom of the left-hand menu.
2. Click on “Settings.”

Step 4: Open Users and Permissions

1. In the Settings menu, select “Users and permissions.”

Step 5: Add a New User

1. Click the blue “Add user” button.

Step 6: Enter User Details

1. In the pop-up window, enter the email address of the person you want to add.
2. Choose the appropriate permission level (select the Full option):
   • Full (select this one): Allows the user to view all data and perform most actions, including submitting sitemaps and requesting URL indexing.
   • Restricted: Grants read-only access to most data.
3. Click “Add” to finalize.

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage who has access to your GSC account, ensuring that collaborators have the necessary permissions to support your website’s performance.

Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool from Google that helps you monitor and maintain your website’s presence in Google Search results. Setting up GSC gives you the data and tools to optimize your site and improve its organic search visibility.

This guide focuses on how to set up GSC, preferably using the Domain Property option, which provides the most complete view of your website.

While this article touches on why GSC is valuable, another article talks about how to use Google Search Console.

Why Set Up Google Search Console?

Google Search Console helps website owners track and improve their site’s performance in Google Search. Some of the key benefits include:

• Search Visibility: See which keywords bring people to your site and monitor how your pages rank in search results.
• Technical Monitoring: Catch indexing issues, broken links, or mobile usability problems that may affect your site’s performance.
• Content Insights: Understand which pages are performing well and where there’s room to improve.
• Security Alerts: Get notified if Google detects hacks or spam on your site.

Setting up GSC is a must if you want to track how Google views your site and gain insights to make improvements that will improve your rankings and visibility in organic search.

Steps to Set Up Google Search Console

Follow these steps to set up GSC for your website:

1. Log in to Google Search Console

• Visit Google Search Console.
• Sign in with your Google Account.

If you don’t have a Google Account, you can set up a Gmail account for this purpose or set up your business email address as a Google Account. Setting up a business email as a Google account requires specific steps–here’s a guide on how to do that (scroll down to Use an existing email address).

2. Add Your Property

• In the top-left corner of the GSC dashboard, click the dropdown menu next to the search bar.
• Select “Add Property.”

3. Choose a Property Type

Google offers two types of properties:

Property Type	What It Covers	Best For
Domain Property	Tracks all subdomains (e.g., www, blog) and protocols (HTTP, HTTPS).	Comprehensive site monitoring.
URL Prefix Property	Tracks a single specific version of your site (e.g., https://www.example.com).	Focused monitoring for specific sections or subdomains.

For most, the Domain Property is the best option because it includes information for all subdomains and variations of your website. However, it does require access to your domain registrar and the ability to update DNS settings. If you’re unfamiliar with DNS settings or don’t have access, you can choose one of the other verification methods or ask your IT team to help.

4. Verify Ownership via DNS

If you choose the Domain Property option, you’ll need to verify ownership by adding a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings:

1. Copy the TXT Record: After selecting the Domain Property, Google will provide a TXT record. Copy this.
2. Log In to Your Domain Registrar: Access your domain’s DNS settings through your registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains).
3. Add the TXT Record:
   • Host: Use @ or leave it blank, depending on your registrar.
   • Value: Paste the TXT record provided by Google.
   • TTL: Use the default setting (usually 1 hour).
4. Save Changes: Save the new DNS settings.

If this process feels too technical, consider consulting with an IT professional or your registrar’s support team. Most registrars also have guides on how to add TXT records.

5. Wait for DNS Propagation

DNS changes usually take effect within a few minutes, but it can sometimes take up to 24-48 hours for the changes to propagate fully.

6. Verify in Google Search Console

• Once the DNS changes have propagated, return to Google Search Console.
• Click the “Verify” button.
• If everything is set up correctly, you’ll see a confirmation message, and your Domain Property will be active.

What Comes Next

Now that you’ve set up Google Search Console, you can explore the valuable data and insights it provides. While this guide focuses on setup, here are a few features you might want to check out:

Feature	What It Does
Performance Report	Tracks search traffic, keyword rankings, and click-through rates.
Index Coverage	Identifies pages that are indexed, excluded, or have errors.
Core Web Vitals	Measures user experience metrics like page speed and stability.
Mobile Usability	Flags mobile-specific issues, such as small text or unclickable buttons.
Sitemap Submission	Lets you submit an XML sitemap to help Google crawl your content faster.

We also have an in-depth guide on how to use Google Search Console.

Setting up Google Search Console is an essential step for any website owner. By verifying your Domain Property, you get a complete view of your website’s presence in Google Search and access to tools that can help you optimize its performance.

Remember, this is just the start. The real value of GSC comes from using the data it provides to improve your site’s SEO and user experience. If you’re ready to take things to the next level but unsure where to start, consider working with a professional to help you maximize your efforts.

Your website has the potential to perform better in organic search–it all starts with the right tools and setup.

You don’t need a Gmail address to create a Google Account. Google allows you to sign up using your existing email, whether it’s a work email (e.g., john@yourcompany.com) or a personal email (e.g., john@yahoo.com). This means you can use Google services such as Drive, Docs, Calendar, Google Search Console, Google Tag Manager, and Google Analytics without having to switch to a new email provider.

Why You Might Want a Google Account Without Gmail

There are several reasons why you might want to create a Google Account with a non-Gmail email:

• Business & Work Use: If your company provides an email address (e.g., john@yourcompany.com) but doesn’t use Google Workspace, you may still want to access Google services (such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Analytics, or Google Tag Manager) for collaboration.
• No Need for a New Email Address: If you already have an email you prefer, there’s no reason to create and manage a separate Gmail inbox.
• Google Services Access: A Google Account lets you use tools like Google Docs, Google Drive, and Google Calendar while keeping your existing email.
• Separate Business & Personal Accounts: If you already have a personal Gmail account, using your work email for a separate Google Account helps keep things organized.

Requirements

To create a Google Account with your current email, you’ll need:

• A valid email address (not a Gmail address and not an email address that’s already set up with Google Workspace).
• Access to that email inbox (Google will send a verification code).
• A secure password for your new Google Account.

Creating a Google Account With Your Email

Step 1: Open the Google Account Creation Page

1. Go to Google Account Sign Up.
2. Click on Create account, then select For my personal use.

Step 2: Enter Your Personal Information

1. Type in your First Name and Last Name.
2. Instead of choosing a Gmail address, click Use my current email address instead.
3. Enter your non-Gmail email address (e.g., john@yourcompany.com).

Step 3: Set Up a Secure Password

1. Enter a strong password in the “Password” and “Confirm” fields. A strong password includes letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Click Next.

Step 4: Verify Your Email Address

1. Google will send a verification code to the email address you entered.
2. Open your email inbox and look for the Google verification email.
3. Copy the 6-digit code from the email.
4. Enter the code in the “Verify your email address” field.
5. Click Verify.

Step 5: Complete the Account Setup

1. Fill in your birthdate and gender (optional).
2. Click Next.
3. Review Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
4. Click I agree to complete the process.

What Happens Next?

• You can now sign in to Google services using your non-Gmail email.
• Your email address will act as your Google Account username.
• You don’t need to create or use a Gmail inbox.
• You can link this Google Account to services like Google Drive, Calendar, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and more.

Final Notes

• This process does not create a Google Workspace account for your company. It only creates an individual Google Account.
• If your company already uses Google Workspace, your company email is already a Google Account.

Now that your Google Account is ready, you can use Google’s tools without needing a Gmail address.