Problems with Google verification process
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Hi,
I'm trying to get my site verified by Google, so that I can use their webmaster tools.
I've followed the instructions on the Google page. I have managed to get to the point where I download the Google "verification file" (to my downloads folder on my laptop), which is a string of numbers with a html suffix.
I have tried copying and pasting this filename into the "page properties" of my homepage, by going to Edit/Properties/Page Properties/Header Extra Content and pasting the file details into the available box. Then saving and publishing my changes.
However, when I go back to the Google verification page and click "verify" I get an error message saying the verification code could not be found.
I've tried several times with no joy.
I know there is a more complex way of doing this by opening up a file on my server and inserting the file but I am afraid to meddle in this area because I'm not at all sure i'm doing it right,
Could someone give me a walkthrough of how this process should work? Preferrably the easy "dashboard" way, rather than dabbling in the code.
I'm using "Tiger" theme and my PC is a Mac book, in case that's relevant.
I did notice that after I copied the details into my homepage's "Extra Content" box that the google code appeared at the top, left of my website. I hope this will not be a permanent feature of having my website verified by Google.
I'm trying to get my site verified by Google, so that I can use their webmaster tools.
I've followed the instructions on the Google page. I have managed to get to the point where I download the Google "verification file" (to my downloads folder on my laptop), which is a string of numbers with a html suffix.
I have tried copying and pasting this filename into the "page properties" of my homepage, by going to Edit/Properties/Page Properties/Header Extra Content and pasting the file details into the available box. Then saving and publishing my changes.
However, when I go back to the Google verification page and click "verify" I get an error message saying the verification code could not be found.
I've tried several times with no joy.
I know there is a more complex way of doing this by opening up a file on my server and inserting the file but I am afraid to meddle in this area because I'm not at all sure i'm doing it right,
Could someone give me a walkthrough of how this process should work? Preferrably the easy "dashboard" way, rather than dabbling in the code.
I'm using "Tiger" theme and my PC is a Mac book, in case that's relevant.
I did notice that after I copied the details into my homepage's "Extra Content" box that the google code appeared at the top, left of my website. I hope this will not be a permanent feature of having my website verified by Google.
Instead of using the file verification method, use their HTML tag.
Go to your Home page | Properties | Custom Attributes and add the Header Extra Content page attribute.
Paste the HTML into that field, it should look something like this:
Save and you should be able to verify.
Hope that helps, John
Go to your Home page | Properties | Custom Attributes and add the Header Extra Content page attribute.
Paste the HTML into that field, it should look something like this:
<meta name="verify-v1" content="some-random-string" />
Save and you should be able to verify.
Hope that helps, John
Thanks for the reply guys. I did try the way you suggest, jasteele, but it did not work. The verification file looks like this:
google-site-verification: google****************.html
I think I was just copying and pasting the bit after the colon, into the "extra header content". Should I copy and paste the whole string then? i.e. "google-site-verification......html"etc
jshannon, in case the "easy" way does not work; When you say just "drop the file in the "root" I'm not sure what you mean. I know there is a folder called "root" that I can open up with my cpanel (on my hosting provider's web site). What happens when I double click on the folder, is that it gets downloaded to my PC. How do I then "drop" the file in? Once I do that, the file is still on my PC, how do I get it back into my web site's "root folder?
I'm sorry for my ignorance, I am very new to this.
Even a simple thing such as, do I need to physically add the < and > symbols to the string? Or are they generated automatically. I'm worried I will break my web site.
Thanks for the help,
Wul
google-site-verification: google****************.html
I think I was just copying and pasting the bit after the colon, into the "extra header content". Should I copy and paste the whole string then? i.e. "google-site-verification......html"etc
jshannon, in case the "easy" way does not work; When you say just "drop the file in the "root" I'm not sure what you mean. I know there is a folder called "root" that I can open up with my cpanel (on my hosting provider's web site). What happens when I double click on the folder, is that it gets downloaded to my PC. How do I then "drop" the file in? Once I do that, the file is still on my PC, how do I get it back into my web site's "root folder?
I'm sorry for my ignorance, I am very new to this.
Even a simple thing such as, do I need to physically add the < and > symbols to the string? Or are they generated automatically. I'm worried I will break my web site.
Thanks for the help,
Wul
How do you transfer files to your server?
If you use ftp, then just upload google.html into the root of your site.
If you have a control panel, once in your public_html area, you should be able to upload files with an upload button.
See attached as an example.
Steev
If you use ftp, then just upload google.html into the root of your site.
If you have a control panel, once in your public_html area, you should be able to upload files with an upload button.
See attached as an example.
Steev
Please read my previous message again. The file google...html is completely different than the HTML tag version at Google Webmaster Tools. If you don't see the tag, check under Additional.
You need to copy the tag generated by them and paste that into the Header Extra Content attribute (home page only). Pasting the file contents or the file name will not work.
The tag they generate will start with
Copy the *entire tag* including the closing > character into the attribute text field and save the page.
If you get it right and view the source of your home page, you should see that tag, just like <meta name="description"...
If you can't see it, then Google can't either, so no point trying to verify until it is there.
If you put it in correctly and still don't see it make sure to clear your cache.
Keep us posted, John
You need to copy the tag generated by them and paste that into the Header Extra Content attribute (home page only). Pasting the file contents or the file name will not work.
The tag they generate will start with
<meta name="verify-v1"
Copy the *entire tag* including the closing > character into the attribute text field and save the page.
If you get it right and view the source of your home page, you should see that tag, just like <meta name="description"...
If you can't see it, then Google can't either, so no point trying to verify until it is there.
If you put it in correctly and still don't see it make sure to clear your cache.
Keep us posted, John
Thank jasteele, It worked!
I've managed it now. There is a tab labeled "Alternate Method" on the Google verification page. It provided the tag you were talking about. ( I couldn't see it before).
I copied this tag and the pasted it into the "Additional Header Content" area and saved/published the changes.
My site is now verified by Google.
Thanks.
Thanks for other suggestions too. I'm sure they would have worked if I was more able.
What I can't understand is, once I've downloaded, say, the "root" file for my web site to my PC, and added some code, how do I then "upload" it , so that my site is using the new file and not the old one? (assuming I'm using cpanel method and not FTP client). What's the method for this?
I've managed it now. There is a tab labeled "Alternate Method" on the Google verification page. It provided the tag you were talking about. ( I couldn't see it before).
I copied this tag and the pasted it into the "Additional Header Content" area and saved/published the changes.
My site is now verified by Google.
Thanks.
Thanks for other suggestions too. I'm sure they would have worked if I was more able.
What I can't understand is, once I've downloaded, say, the "root" file for my web site to my PC, and added some code, how do I then "upload" it , so that my site is using the new file and not the old one? (assuming I'm using cpanel method and not FTP client). What's the method for this?
You're welcome wulbert, glad you got it working.
I would recommend learning how to use an FTP client, but from your CPanel page go to the File Manager (this may be different depending on which type of control panel your hosting company gave you).
Once there you would most likely double-click on a directory name to change to that directory, then search for Upload (could be a link, icon or button).
The process from there is very similar to a single upload in concrete5, first you Browse for the file on your local system then once selected you Upload it. It will be uploaded into whatever directory you chose above.
That being said, you probably want to look into the documentation about theme development first. Most of your content is actually contained in the database and displayed using your theme files.
If you take a look at your website root file (/public_html/index.php for example) you will see that there is very little there.
I'm going to assume that if you don't know how to upload files that you probably aren't fluent in HTML and CSS and not a PHP programmer :)
Be *very careful* overwriting files on your server, you can easily corrupt your entire site. Make database and file backups (check your hosting company documentation).
If you're a visual learner, you can watch one of the videos on the concrete5cms channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSIciQKN-D0...
Probably the most common business user chooses a theme (or has one developed), possibly have it modified and choose addon packages that meet their needs and sometimes custom development/integrations. Typically they concentrate on their business and content, not programming.
But learning how to do it yourself is certainly possible if you have the time and commitment. I wouldn't recommend using your business site for this purpose :)
I recommend starting at the concrete5.org home page and one of the 3 main links at the top, most likely Designers based on your questions on the forums.
There are many tutorials here and elsewhere (Google concrete5 whatever), including videos, how-to's and some great recent books (print and/or ebooks):
Creating concrete5 Themes
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=1782161643&...
Powell's Books http://www.powells.com/partner/36513/biblio/1782161643...
Packt Publishing https://www.packtpub.com/creating-concrete5-themes/book...
concrete5 Beginner's Guide 2nd Ed
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=1782169318&...
Powell's Books http://www.powells.com/partner/36513/biblio/1782161643...
Packt Publishing http://www.packtpub.com/concrete5-2e-beginners-guide/book...
Note: The second title is geared more towards custom development, but does cover theming as well and a handy reference.
Welcome to concrete5 and the world of dynamically generated content!
I would recommend learning how to use an FTP client, but from your CPanel page go to the File Manager (this may be different depending on which type of control panel your hosting company gave you).
Once there you would most likely double-click on a directory name to change to that directory, then search for Upload (could be a link, icon or button).
The process from there is very similar to a single upload in concrete5, first you Browse for the file on your local system then once selected you Upload it. It will be uploaded into whatever directory you chose above.
That being said, you probably want to look into the documentation about theme development first. Most of your content is actually contained in the database and displayed using your theme files.
If you take a look at your website root file (/public_html/index.php for example) you will see that there is very little there.
I'm going to assume that if you don't know how to upload files that you probably aren't fluent in HTML and CSS and not a PHP programmer :)
Be *very careful* overwriting files on your server, you can easily corrupt your entire site. Make database and file backups (check your hosting company documentation).
If you're a visual learner, you can watch one of the videos on the concrete5cms channel on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSIciQKN-D0...
Probably the most common business user chooses a theme (or has one developed), possibly have it modified and choose addon packages that meet their needs and sometimes custom development/integrations. Typically they concentrate on their business and content, not programming.
But learning how to do it yourself is certainly possible if you have the time and commitment. I wouldn't recommend using your business site for this purpose :)
I recommend starting at the concrete5.org home page and one of the 3 main links at the top, most likely Designers based on your questions on the forums.
There are many tutorials here and elsewhere (Google concrete5 whatever), including videos, how-to's and some great recent books (print and/or ebooks):
Creating concrete5 Themes
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=1782161643&...
Powell's Books http://www.powells.com/partner/36513/biblio/1782161643...
Packt Publishing https://www.packtpub.com/creating-concrete5-themes/book...
concrete5 Beginner's Guide 2nd Ed
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=1782169318&...
Powell's Books http://www.powells.com/partner/36513/biblio/1782161643...
Packt Publishing http://www.packtpub.com/concrete5-2e-beginners-guide/book...
Note: The second title is geared more towards custom development, but does cover theming as well and a handy reference.
Welcome to concrete5 and the world of dynamically generated content!
Thanks jasteele,
I'll have a look at those links.
I don't really want to become a programmer, but neither do I want to hand control of my business web site over to a company who I then need to go through (and pay) every time I want to make some changes.
I did contact a local web developer company here, who use Concrete, to see if they would get my site up and running and optimised, for a one-off fee, and then leave me alone to edit it.
However, they came back suggesting a package for monthly maintenance of £250 GBP/month (around $380 US). This would be around one week's take home pay for me, so there's no way I could afford that.
I realise I should learn to use Filezilla , I have it on my PC, because the cpanel upload process led to problems in the past which Mike Hawk from this forum, sorted out for free. I will get round to it, I'm just terrified of busting my site.
I have more questions but will start a new thead.
Thanks for the help everyone. Wul.
I'll have a look at those links.
I don't really want to become a programmer, but neither do I want to hand control of my business web site over to a company who I then need to go through (and pay) every time I want to make some changes.
I did contact a local web developer company here, who use Concrete, to see if they would get my site up and running and optimised, for a one-off fee, and then leave me alone to edit it.
However, they came back suggesting a package for monthly maintenance of £250 GBP/month (around $380 US). This would be around one week's take home pay for me, so there's no way I could afford that.
I realise I should learn to use Filezilla , I have it on my PC, because the cpanel upload process led to problems in the past which Mike Hawk from this forum, sorted out for free. I will get round to it, I'm just terrified of busting my site.
I have more questions but will start a new thead.
Thanks for the help everyone. Wul.
Hi Wul,
That sounds like a pretty outrageous monthly amount!
Do you have a list of requirements for "up and running and optimised"? One of the reasons I love concrete5 is that my clients can do most of the work themselves and I don't have to spend my time hand-holding.
I mostly work on a per-project basis and sometimes hourly. Feel free to let me know, it sounds like you just need to pointed in the right direction(s).
John
That sounds like a pretty outrageous monthly amount!
Do you have a list of requirements for "up and running and optimised"? One of the reasons I love concrete5 is that my clients can do most of the work themselves and I don't have to spend my time hand-holding.
I mostly work on a per-project basis and sometimes hourly. Feel free to let me know, it sounds like you just need to pointed in the right direction(s).
John
Just do it the "file system" way. Drop the file in the root (at the same level as index.php and concrete directory) and you'll be good to go.
James