How to Setup Web Stories?

 

Setting up Web Stories is a fantastic way to present engaging, visual-first content on the open web! Here's a breakdown of how you can get started, covering various methods:

1. Using WordPress Plugins (Recommended for WordPress Users):

This is often the easiest and most user-friendly approach if you have a WordPress website. Several excellent plugins simplify the Web Story creation process:¹

• Official Google Web Stories Plugin: This is the official plugin developed by Google and offers a robust and intuitive visual editor.²

  • Installation: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to "Plugins" > "Add New," search for "Web Stories," install, and activate the plugin.
  • Setup: Once activated, you'll find a "Stories" menu in your WordPress admin panel.³ Click "Create New Story" to access the visual editor.⁴
  • Creation: The editor allows you to drag and drop elements like text, images, videos, audio, and animations.⁵ It provides templates and customization options to design your stories.⁶
  • Publishing: Once your story is ready, you can publish it like any other post or page on your WordPress site.⁷ The plugin handles the necessary structured data and technical aspects.

• MakeStories: Another popular plugin with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and various templates.⁸

  • Installation & Setup: Similar to the Google Web Stories plugin, install and activate it from the WordPress plugin repository.
  • Creation & Publishing: The interface and workflow are quite similar to the official plugin, offering a smooth story creation experience.⁹

• Newsroom AI: While offering more advanced AI-powered features, it also includes a Web Story creation tool within its suite.¹⁰

2. Using Story Creation Tools (Platform Agnostic):

If you're not on WordPress or prefer a dedicated story creation platform, several tools can help you generate the necessary AMP HTML for Web Stories:

• Google Web Stories Creator (stories.google): This is a web-based tool by Google that allows you to create stories directly in your browser.

  • Access: Go to https://stories.google/.
  • Creation: It offers a visual drag-and-drop editor similar to the WordPress plugins.¹¹ You can upload media, add text, animations, and design your story.
  • Export: Once finished, you can export your story as a ZIP file containing the AMP HTML, CSS, and media assets. You'll then need to upload these files to your web server.

• Other Third-Party Tools: Several other platforms offer Web Story creation capabilities, often with different features and pricing models. Research and choose one that fits your needs.

3. Manual AMP HTML Creation (For Developers):

If you have technical expertise, you can create Web Stories by writing the AMP HTML code directly. This offers the most flexibility but requires a solid understanding of AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) and Web Story specifications.

• AMP Documentation: Refer to the official AMP Project documentation (https://amp.dev/) for detailed guidelines on the required HTML structure, components, and attributes for Web Stories.
• Key AMP Components for Stories: You'll primarily work with components like <amp-story>, <amp-story-page>, <amp-img>, <amp-video>, <amp-audio>, <amp-animation>, and potentially others.
• Structured Data: Ensure you include the necessary structured data (Schema.org markup) to help search engines understand your Web Stories.

Key Steps After Creation (Regardless of Method):

1. Upload to Your Website:

   • WordPress Plugins: The plugin usually handles this automatically.
   • Story Creation Tools (Export): Upload the exported ZIP file or the individual HTML and media files to your web server. Ensure the files are accessible via a public URL.
   • Manual Creation: Save your HTML files with a .html extension and upload them to your server.

2. Make Them Discoverable:

   • Linking: Link to your Web Stories from prominent places on your website (homepage, navigation, related content).¹²
   • Sitemap: Add your Web Story URLs to your XML sitemap to help search engines discover them.
   • Structured Data: Ensure the correct structured data is in place. The WordPress plugins usually handle this. If creating manually, follow the Schema.org guidelines for Web Stories.

3. Testing and Validation:

   • Google Search Console: Use the URL Inspection tool in Google Search Console to check if your Web Stories are valid AMP and are being indexed correctly.¹³
   • AMP Validator: You can use the AMP Validator (available as a browser extension or online tool) to check your AMP HTML for errors.¹⁴

Tips for Success:

• Focus on Visuals: Web Stories are primarily visual.¹⁵ Use high-quality images and videos.
• Keep it Concise: Each page in your story should convey a single idea quickly.
• Engage Your Audience: Use interactive elements like polls, quizzes, and calls to action.¹⁶
• Optimize for Mobile: Web Stories are designed for mobile devices, so ensure your design is mobile-friendly.¹⁷
• Tell a Story: Structure your content logically with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Track Performance: Use analytics tools (like Google Analytics) to track the performance of your Web Stories and understand what resonates with your audience.¹⁸

By following these steps, you can effectively set up and publish Web Stories to engage your audience in a visually compelling and mobile-friendly format! Good luck!