Google for Websites Course

Lesson 1 • Setting Up a Google Account

Create and configure a Google account optimised for website management. Covers account structure, permissions, and security best practices.

Lesson 2 • Overview of Core Google Tools

Survey the primary Google products used by website owners. Maps each tool to a specific business or technical function.

Lesson 3 • Google's Role in the Web Ecosystem

Understand how Google indexes, ranks, and serves web content. Establishes the strategic context for every tool covered in this course.

Lesson 1 • Manual Actions and Security Issues

Detect and resolve manual penalties and security alerts in Search Console. Ensures the site maintains trust and ranking eligibility.

Lesson 2 • Performance Report and Search Queries

Analyse clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position by query. Connects search data to content and optimisation decisions.

Lesson 3 • Navigating the Search Console Interface

Explore the dashboard layout and core report sections. Builds confidence in locating data quickly for ongoing site management.

Lesson 4 • Core Web Vitals in Search Console

Review field data for page experience signals reported by Google. Links technical performance to search ranking eligibility.

Lesson 1 • User Permissions and Property Settings

Manage access roles and configure property-level settings for accuracy. Protects data integrity and supports team collaboration.

Lesson 2 • Data Streams and Data Retention

Configure data streams, retention periods, and cross-domain tracking. Ensures data completeness and compliance with privacy expectations.

Lesson 3 • GA4 Debug View and Validation

Use DebugView and real-time reports to validate the GA4 implementation. Catches configuration errors before they corrupt historical data.

Lesson 4 • Installing GA4 via Google Tag Manager

Deploy the GA4 configuration tag using Tag Manager without editing code. Reinforces the Tag Manager workflow introduced in Chapter 1.

Lesson 1 • Audiences and Predictive Metrics

Create audience segments and leverage GA4 predictive capabilities. Supports retargeting and personalisation strategies covered in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Standard Reports: Acquisition and Engagement

Analyse traffic sources and on-site engagement using built-in reports. Connects channel performance to content and campaign decisions.

Lesson 3 • Explorations and Custom Reports

Build custom analyses using the Explorations workspace in GA4. Enables deeper segmentation beyond what standard reports provide.

Lesson 4 • Understanding the GA4 Data Model

Learn how GA4 structures data around events, parameters, and users. Provides the conceptual framework needed to read all GA4 reports accurately.

Lesson 1 • Tag Manager Architecture and Concepts

Understand containers, workspaces, tags, triggers, and variables. Provides the mental model required to build reliable tracking solutions.

Lesson 2 • Scroll Depth and Video Tracking

Track scroll depth and YouTube video engagement through GTM. Extends engagement measurement beyond page views and clicks.

Lesson 3 • Data Layer Implementation

Push custom data to the data layer for advanced tracking scenarios. Enables dynamic variable capture that static triggers cannot achieve.

Lesson 4 • Tracking Clicks and Form Submissions

Implement click and form tracking using GTM triggers and variables. Captures user interaction data critical for conversion analysis.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring Performance Over Time

Set up ongoing performance monitoring using Google tools and CrUX data. Ensures regressions are caught before they affect search rankings.

Lesson 2 • Improving Interaction to Next Paint

Reduce input delay and processing time to improve INP scores. Addresses the responsiveness metric that replaced First Input Delay.

Lesson 3 • Fixing Cumulative Layout Shift

Eliminate unexpected layout shifts that degrade user experience and CLS scores. Covers the most common causes and their targeted fixes.

Lesson 4 • PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse

Run and interpret PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse audits for any URL. Establishes a baseline performance score before optimisation begins.

Lesson 1 • On-Page Optimisation Essentials

Optimise title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and body content. Aligns page signals with target keywords and user intent.

Lesson 2 • Technical SEO with Search Console

Resolve crawl errors, redirect chains, and canonicalisation issues. Ensures Google can efficiently discover and index all valuable content.

Lesson 3 • Keyword Research with Google Tools

Use Google Search Console and Keyword Planner to find target keywords. Grounds content strategy in real search demand data.

Lesson 4 • Structured Data and Rich Results

Implement schema markup to qualify pages for Google rich results. Increases SERP visibility beyond standard blue-link listings.

Lesson 1 • Google Ads Account Structure

Understand campaigns, ad groups, ads, and keywords hierarchy. Correct structure prevents budget waste and enables precise performance control.

Lesson 2 • Campaign Optimisation and Bidding

Apply smart bidding strategies and optimisation techniques to improve ROAS. Synthesises data from GA4, Search Console, and Ads for informed decisions.

Lesson 3 • Linking Google Ads to GA4

Connect Google Ads and GA4 accounts for unified cross-channel reporting. Enables full-funnel analysis from ad click to on-site conversion.

Lesson 4 • Conversion Tracking Setup

Configure Google Ads conversion actions using GTM and GA4 imports. Enables bid strategies to optimise toward real business outcomes.