Article 102 From the Complete Do It Yourself SEO Checklist For Small Business
How to Set Up Bing Webmaster Tools
Bing Webmaster Tools is a free tool from Microsoft that helps you understand how your website performs on Bing, Yahoo, and other search engines. It provides insights into your traffic, alerts you to problems, and helps improve your visibility online. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Sign In or Create an Account
- Visit Bing Webmaster Tools.
- Sign in with a Microsoft, Google, or Facebook account. If you don’t have one, you can create a Microsoft account here.
Step 2: Add Your Website
- Once logged in, click the “Add a Site” button.
- Enter your website’s URL (e.g., https://www.example.com).
- If you have a sitemap (e.g., https://www.example.com/sitemap.xml), enter the URL in the provided field. If not, you can skip this for now.
Step 3: Verify Your Website
Bing needs to confirm you own the site. Here are the most common ways to verify:
- XML File Verification (recommended for beginners):
- Download the file Bing provides.
- Upload it to your website’s root directory using your website builder or file manager.
- Meta Tag:
- Copy the meta tag Bing provides.
- Paste it into the <head> section of your website’s code.
- CNAME Record:
- Add a CNAME record to your DNS settings. This requires access to your domain registrar (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
Follow the detailed instructions in Bing’s verification guide.
Step 4: Explore Your Dashboard
After verification, you’ll have access to your website’s data. Here are key features:
- Search Performance: Check how many people are visiting your site and which keywords they’re using.
- Submit Your Sitemap: If you skipped this earlier, go to the “Sitemaps” section, add your sitemap URL, and submit it.
- SEO Reports and Suggestions: Get advice on how to improve your site’s performance in search results.
- Fix Issues: Identify problems like broken links or slow-loading pages.
Step 5: Use Import from Google Search Console (Optional)
If you already use Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools lets you import your verified sites directly. Click “Import” in the dashboard and follow the prompts to save time.
Step 6: Check Regularly
- Review your dashboard weekly to monitor your traffic and fix issues.
- Use the data to improve your website’s content and structure.
Need More Help?
Microsoft offers a Beginner’s Guide to Bing Webmaster Tools for more details. If you get stuck, reach out to your web developer or a digital marketing expert.
Tip: Bing powers Yahoo search and other smaller engines, so optimizing here can reach additional audiences and boost your online presence!
Need Expert Help?
The team at Wisecrowd Design is standing by to help you with all facets of your website performance.
