I am sure many of us have come across the trending web content
creation format “Stories” on the Google search engine platform.
Web Stories are allowing online users to get a glance of
your products, services, and even marketing content in carousel view.
So, in this article, we will discuss Google Web Stories!
What is Google Web Stories?
A web-based storytelling format that allows you present
content, images video, audio and even GIFs (animated content) in the form of “Stories.”
Google Web Stories are displayed on Google Search, Google Discover
and Google Images.
Below is an example of a Web Stories in Google Discover:
Upon clicking the above “Stories” you will get the below Web
Stories landing page:
Upon clicking “Start story, you’ll be directed to the Web
Stories pages as shown in the image below:
Below is an example of Web Stories in Google Images:
Who can use Google Web Stories?
Whether you are a blogger, website owner, digital marketer,
content specialist, Google Web Stories can allow you to present visually rich information
about your brand or services in an engaging way.
For example, considering the upcoming holiday season 2021 brand website owners can make the most out of the
Google Web Stories by being loud about product offers in the form of
storytelling.
The tappable web story format is beneficial for creators, as
well as, online users and is easily accessible.
Click
to read the Web Stories content guidelines for Google.
How to create Google Web Stories?
Creating Google Web Stories is no rocket science and the trending
web-based stories format can be created by in a non-technical, as well as,
technical practice.
A- For those who would not like coding to be involved, please
select from the list of tools as mentioned below:
1- Web Stories for WordPress users
This is where WordPress website owners get easy access
to develop high-end Stories through the Web Stories plugin available
in the WordPress plugin respiratory.
With over thirty thousand active installations, the Web Stories WordPress
plugin will help you easily create, monitor and monetize from a user-friendly
editorial dashboard.
Below is a list of tutorials offered by Google web
creators that can help you get started with building Web Stories in WordPress:
Watch the first episode with the title “How to create and style text in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- Learn how to add text to Web Stories?
- How to change the font and its color?
- How to save a styling text and delete a styling text?
- How to apply saved styling text.
Watch the second episode with the title “Showing blogger how to make Web Stories with WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- Understand the basics of the Web Stories editor tool in
WordPress
- Understand how to “Create a Story?”
- Understand the Element panel and access quick tips in
the help section. One of the tips is “How to enable “Swipe up” option for your Web
Stories pages. In addition, get access to link guides for getting started with
WordPress Web Stories.
- How to upload a file (Videos, images, text)?
- Access to stock images from the Element tab with an example
- How to add elements to a Web Stories page.
- More about the design canvas.
- Use of keyboard shortcuts.
- More about design and its layer panel.
- About Documents checklist tab in the WordPress Web Stories
plugin editor.
- How to add titles for search engines.
Watch the third episode with the title “How to use text
sets in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- About the T (text) icon in the editor and use of it to
create text sets.
- Use of matching text sets.
- How to make text visible?
- How to add a gradient background?
Watch the fourth episode with the title “What you need to
know about safe zones for Web Stories:”
Key pointers discussed:
- What does a safe zone mean for Web Stories?
- Why ensuring Web Stories text and design within the safe zone?
- How to use the preview tool to ensure Web Stories are in a
safe zone.
Watch the fifth episode with the title “The Document tab
in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- About the Document tab which has five sub-menus to allow WordPress
Web Stories users.
- Understand what is “Status and Visibility” sub-menu is in the
Documents tabs.
- Understand what is “Publishing” sub-menu, that will allow
you to add an image and logo for your Web Stories. In addition, get to know the eligible image dimensions
required for Web Stories in WordPress.
- Where to add your “Story Description” from the Documents menu
for Web Stories in WordPress.
- Add “Permalink”
which by default is the title, can be edited too.
- Use of “Page Advancement” sub-menu whether you would like
to perform a “Manual” tap for moving ahead to the next pages of your Web
Stories. You can also allow it to be on “Auto” mode.
Watch the sixth episode with the title “Using shapes in Web
Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- Use of color/gradient in the page background of your Web
Stories.
- How to create shapes in Web Stories for WordPress?
- Adding colors and combing shapes.
- Uploading of images and videos in the shapes.
- How to create a frame by using shapes?
Watch the seventh episode with the title “How to use
templates in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- Types of eight templates available including fashion, and
cooking. Each has their own designs.
- About “Explore template” tab inside Web Stories editor for
WordPress.
- How to “Use a template” from inside the Web Stories editor
for WordPress?
- Types of customizations are available inside the “Use a
template” tab editor.
- About the animation panel and how to save your design as a template?
Watch the eighth episode with the title “Adding videos to
your stories in your Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- How to import a video inside your story, from within the cover
or upload it from your desktop?
- Use of Content Delivery Network (CDN) for uploading videos.
- How to adjust videos inside the Web Stories editor for
WordPress?
- How to use filters?
- Add subtitles from “Caption and Subtitles.
- How to add alt-text for a video inside your Web Stories
for WordPress?
Watch the ninth episode with the title “How to use the
Layers Panel in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- How to use the “Layers” panel within your Web Stories editor
for WordPress?
- How to edit shapes and titles in the “Layers” panel?
- How to place and adjust elements in the “Layers” panel?
Watch the tenth episode with the title “How to use animations
in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- How to create “Animations” for your elements including
shapes.
- How to preview your “Animations?”
- Best practices of creating “Animations” in Web Stories for
WordPress.
Watch the eleventh episode with the title “How to embed Web
Stories in your WordPress blog post:”
Key pointers discussed:
- What are three ways of adding Web Stories to your WordPress
blog page?
- What are the customizations available for showcasing your
Web Stories?
Watch the twelfth episode with the title “Making Web
Stories accessible in Web Stories for WordPress:”
Key pointers discussed:
- How to add assistive text from “Accessibility” in the design
panel within Web Stories editor for WordPress?
- How to add captions from “Captions and Subtitles” in the
design panel for your Web Stories videos?
- Use of Web Video Text Tracks Format (WebVTT)
file and how to create one VTT file?
2- Click to access
a list of other popular Story editor tools for creating your Web Stories by
yourself.
B- Next, if you are technically sound with coding then get started with AMP to create your Web Stories on the web.
- Understand the AMP specification
- Use the Google AMP test tool to check validity.
- Use the Google Search Console URL Inspection tool to check the status of indexing.
- Use of AMP Linter
to validate by using a command line.
C- Use Chrome Developers Tools to ensure utmost rendering and device compatibility.
D- Create metadata for your Web Stories to enhance appearance in Google Search
results.
E- Use canonicalization
for your Web Stories.
Please note: Ensure your Web Stories are not blocked
with a robots.txt
file.
Click
to read the recommended practices of creating Web Stories, by Google.
Click to read
recommended SEO practices for Web Stories.
Watch Pascal Birchler, the Developer Relations Engineer at Google; making it easy for us to get started with Google Web Stories:
Summing up
With Google Search being the leading search engine platform in 2021, getting your Google Web Stories out there can help you boost brand visibility.
In addition, with the above tips, you can
create Web Stories with few simple clicks and take your marketing strategy to
the next level.
---The End---
Source:
Google Search Central
Main Image Source: Canva
#GoogleWebStoriesGuide #HowToUseGoogleWebStories #HowToCreateWebStoriesInWordPress
#WebStoriesForMarketing #InternetMarketingStrategy #WebStoriesMarketing
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