Google is one of the biggest search engines we use. Hundreds and thousands of web posts, websites, blogs and images are uploaded to the internet every day. Google acts like a giant filing cabinet and has to scrape through all those posts and websites so it can categorise and sort them all.
But just how does google understand text? Can google understand the text and does it reads every single post. Google is a lot smarter than we think and is caple of reading text and images and running that through its algorithm and decides where that page should rank.
In June and July 2021, Google rolled out a two-part core update. Google rolls out algorithm updates every day to improve the way their search engine works. Read more
Facebook stories, Instagram stories, Snapchat stories, Twitter fleets – and now Google Web Stories.
This is an exciting time for marketing, and it means you can create Google Web Stories on WordPress sites, attract more customers, interact with them, and give them an incentive to take the desired action.
We all like to be creative and experiment with a variety of content from time to time to reach our target audience.
From a visual perspective, we know images/videos are the most engaging digital content, and for the creator, it’s the best way of expressing the company through storytelling.
In this GrowTraffic post, We’ll show you a step-by-step guide on how to build Google Web Stories in WordPress.
What are Google Web Stories?
Google Web Stories are a storytelling format that can appear in Google search results.
If you’re active on social media, you are certainly familiar with the story concept. You might have even created your own before!
It’s a content creating option for marketers. Stories became popular through social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram or Facebook.
It’s a new way to visually present content on your website, including WordPress. Web Stories can contain every type of content, including video, pictures, text, and various animations.
The benefit of creating Web Stories is they get their own place in the Google search results – and right at the top. And it doesn’t stop there, Google Web Stories also appear on Google Images, Discover, and the Google App. The opportunities are endless.
How To Create Google Web Stories On WordPress
Now that you’re aware of what Google Web Stories are, we’ll now show you a step-by-step guide on how to create one.
Google’s Web Stories WordPress plugin provides you with a complete editing system that feels similar to a powerful page builder or photo editing tool.
Here goes:
Step 1: Install Google Web Stories WordPress Plugin
The first thing you need to do is install the Web Stories plugin. Installing the Google Web Stories plugin is just like installing any other WordPress plugin.
Go to Dashboard > Plugins > Add New. Search Google Web Stories then install and activate the plugin subsequently.
Step 2: Set Up Google Web Stories
Once the installation is completed, you will have a Stories option now available in the Dashboard.
Go to Stories > EditorSettings. Now you can place your Google Analytics and upload a logo to be available to any stories you create.
Step 3: Creating Your Web Story
You have two choices from here; start creating your Web Story from scratch or select one of the available templates.
Go to Stories and select Create New Story.
Or
Go to Stories > Explore Templates and select Use Template on one that suits your animation.
Step 4: Choose A Background Colour
Starting from scratch your template will automatically open with a white background. If you would like to add colour, on the left-hand side of the page you should have a panel underPage.
Step 5: Adding Text
At the top right of your screen, you should have a text icon. If you would like to customise your text, under style on your left you will have plenty of options.
Step 6: Adding Images & Videos
You can upload visuals like videos and images and use them on the story screens or use the available ones from the library. Click on the Upload icon on your right to upload visuals or the Visual icon next to it to use the available ones.
Step 7: Adding Shapes And Layouts
In addition to text, images and videos, Google Stories allows you to add shapes and choose from an array of animated layouts if you don’t have time to create from scratch.
You can browse through the pre-made templates and shapes from the Icons in the top left.
Step 8: Delete, Duplicate and Add New Page
You can decide to delete, duplicate an existing page, add a new page, and go back & forth with editing with the options right below the canvas.
Step 9: Publishing The Story
When your story is ready to publish, you have to add a Publisher Logo, Cover Image, Web Story Excerpt, and choose a permalink for your web story.
Make sure you have given your story a title and check each page before you publish it. The publish button is on your left.
Best Practices for Creating Google Web Stories
Valuable recommendations from Google to build Web Stories with the WordPress plugin:
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For this week’s Friday Facebook Session, we looked at long term marketing and discussed our top five tips for planning your long term marketing strategy. Long term marketing refers to the marketing plan you make for your business that covers the future of your business.
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