I decided it was high time to get one of my web properties working with Google Webmaster tools.

I had the misguided idea that putting the www in front of my URL was a good thing.  Turns out I didn't really want to do this so..... I changed it.  OOOps.

This caused me a bit of trouble as I then wanted to verify the site with GWT. Well, I find that there is a way around this.  The other tool that I use is Google Analytics.  This allows you to put in your preferred way to display your URL.  I apparently chose not to use the www. on GA.  So, both of these tools need to agree.

Back over at GWT I tried to verify my site.  I grabbed the snippet from GWT and added it to my header page just before the code. (</head>) Tried to verify, nope.  OK so what's the next choice.  Ahhhh, Google Analytics.

The site has been in GA for quite a while so I suspected that Google Webmaster Tools would recognize it if I verified it this way.  Sooo, over to GA.  Found the tracking code.  Checked the website to make sure it was installed correctly. How do you do this?  Open the site, right click on the front page and select view page source.  Scan down the page until you see the end of header code (see above) and look just above it for the Google Analytics code.  If you see it you're good to go.

Since I have GA data I knew the code was installed but I checked anyway.  So using the Google Analytics option, I verified my site successfully.

While I was at it, I grabbed my XML sitemap and entered it into the GWT option, and installed a G+ icon on my site.  Then, just for good measure, I told the google bots to have a look at my site.

If anyone needs help with any of this send me a PM and I'll do my best to get you through this stuff.

BONUS:  I have a bit of gold kicking around in my account.  1st 10 people to reply to this post will get some. Come on folks, lets get this Gold moving around.  Don't worry Kyle and Carson will just make more.