While setting up websites for clients. I was amazed to find how much I depend on Google. First of all I want my clients found when people search for keywords in their niche. Second I want clients to have tools that are easy to use and understand. Google does that.
Google Analytics
Let’s start with one of the Google tools I use the most and put on every clients site…Google Analytics. We always use the Google Analyticator plugin.
- Web Analytics allows you to measure and track how your customers interact with your website.
- Analyze your web analytics account to determine how you can improve your site layout and attract new customers.
- Once web analytics isimplemented, you can see where customers came from, how long they stayed on your site, and where they clicked.
Google Mail
Google Mail has several built in tools that work well for us and our clients. First of all it easy to setup mail at Hostgator (our hosting account) and have it sent to our Google Mail account. This keeps all of the mail in one place.
For example, sheila@wpstartablog.com goes directly to my Gmail account.
FeedBurner
FeedBurner – Gives you and easy way to syndicate your blog. Although you have an RSS feed built right into your WordPress site, FeedBurner gives you some extra advantages.
For example you can set up RSS feed to email on your site with FeedBurner.
You can put FeedBurner on your site with an easy plugin. Google recommends FeedSmith.
Google Alerts – Get Google Mail notices of what your competition is doing or see who is talking about you with Google Alerts.
For example, I like to see every time some one mentions my name, since I have been using my name as part of branding my business.
Google Canned Responses - While having and email auto-responder may be ideal for some businesses. We have come across times where it was not necessary to set up and teach a client how to use an auto-responder.
Instead we use Google Canned Responses: You compose a message, save it, and send it over and over again as needed. This is perfect if you frequently e-mail customers special instructions for using a product or service. You just put that information in a Canned Response and send it out as needed.
For example we have client that wants a class reunion site. His contact list is a small list of only 42. And he is not real tech savvy. So we will set him up with Canned Responses. Now he can send the same email over and over to different classmates. This keeps his emails from looking spammy and he does not share the emails of other classmates.
Google Voice
With Google Voice you can use a phone number on your website that is forwarded to your cell phone, home phone, office phone or all three. Depending on the setting you choose you can have different messages for each kind of call coming in.
For example: We have set up Google Voice for our business: WebPressUtah.com. The client has the option to reach us by phone. This is quite unique in the web design business. We have set it up so that the phone rings both me and Kathy at the same time. We can each have our own greeting and we have online voice mail.
Google Places
Google Places – Because we are focusing on helping local business, I have learned all about using Google Places.
For example, we are currently setting up websites for a real estate agent and a title company. The competition is fierce for both of these niches. But know how to make the most of Google Places will help them be on top with their web presence.
50 percent of all searches on the web are for local businesses. 80% of people says they search on line before they shop a local business. Google Places makes the most of those searches.
Google Keywords
Google Keyword External Tool- Although this tool was set up to help you find adwords to buy. It has now become the basis for most keyword software.
This free tool works well if you understand how to use it correctly.
SEO Keywords – A Journey of Backlinks With Anchor Text
On July 5th there is a new Keyword Tool coming on line…SECockpit.com WOW! out of all the Keyword Tools I have tested and used this is by far the best thing that has happened. In just a few minutes I can do a keyword search for a client.
For example our client has a business I know nothing about. He has an Organic Farm and sells a weekly box of produce to clients. All of this was new to us….but a good keyword search helped us find a way to get him noticed. From choosing a blog title, posting blogs to registering with Google Places, we use targeted keyword.
Using this new keyword tool makes it easy and fast to grab all the keywords we could ever want. SeCockpit.com pulls keyword from Google Suggest, Google Wonderwheel and Google Keyword External and spits out huge lists of targeted keywords.
I can’t wait until July 5th. You will love this tool too.
My Google Analytics tells me that the second most viewed page on my site is “Sheila Recommends”. So I have revamping that page to reflect all the tools we have been using to setup sites for our clients.
I hope they help build your sites also. These Google small business tools work for your online business and your brick and mortar business.
Sheila
P.S. Goolge has two new services you should keep and eye on Google Business Photos and Google Local Directory . Hmmm, looks like Google is dominating their own search engine. Smart!
Related posts:
These tools will surely be useful for small businesses.
Great to have this list!
P-A-McGoldrick recently posted..SUMMER TREND–BUY LOCAL!
Thanks Pam, this is only a short list of all the tools that Googles offers for free.
I guess you already know I use Google Small Business tools for my small businesses, I write about them all the time. Excellent post, I’m amazed at how many small business owners have no idea about the tools Google offers for small businesses.
Extreme John recently posted..5 Reasons to Use Sprout Social to Track Your Brands Social Media Presence
John,
I have found your posts to be very helpful, especially since they come from a small business owners perspective.
I think the average business own does not have the time to discover all the great free tools there are. The Internet is moving so fast. Now there is mobile to think about and just getting up a website can be overwhelming for some.
Great post Sheila and I use all of these as well accept Google Places. Not quite sure what I would do without all the rest. They are definitely life savers.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information.
Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..Why People Fail In The Online Industry
I’ve been using all these services though I don’t have any small business as yet. I’m planning to do so. I know these are very useful tools and you can’t ignore them at all.
Sam @ Weekend Getaways recently posted..Summer Holidays in India- Tour Packages
Sam,
You are right, you can’t ignore them all. This is just a small portion of the tools we use. They really have come in handy.
Good luck on your small business.
Hi Sheila,
As usual, you’ve presented a thorough list of things that can help one’s online business. I’ve never heard of Google Canned Responses. I can definitely see some good ways to use that.
I’ve never used Google Voice, but I think I remember hearing something way back about how you can call yourself, record it, and get a rough transcript? I’ve been meaning to investigate that further.
Thanks for the heads-up on SECockpit. It looks very interesting!
Peggy
Peggy Baron recently posted..How To Write an Ebook PLR Package – My Results
Hi Peg,
First I have to tell you thanks for making it easy to be your affiliate. I love seeing those payments to my PayPal account.
With Google Voice you get a phone number that you can use. It can go to any phone numbers you choose. For example our number goes to both my home and cell and to Kathy’s also. This way we can use a phone # on the web with out giving out our private number and it co-ordinates all our calls from clients.
I absolutely love SECockpit. I have tried all kinds of keyword tools and this one hits the jackpot for speed and being thorough.
This is what I really LOVE about your posts, Sheila …
Seems like every time I stop by, I’m leaving with a basket full of goodies! Beats the heck out of window shopping.
Google has some really cool tools I haven’t explored yet. Thanks for sharing this list.
You rock!
Melanie
Hi Melanie,
You are welcome. It has been fun to find new ways to help clients and to improve our own business. Hope you find these helpful.
Hi Sheila!
This is great resource – I’ve got it bookmarked to refer to when sharing blogging tips with clients. I agree with Melanie, it’s almost like going shopping when I stop by here, so many goodies to grab and tools to explore!
Thanks for bringing my attention to some Google features that I haven’t yet tried. Especially looking forward to spreading the word about Places.
Hi Sheila,
Nice list really. I think most of the small time businessmen use these too;s at some time or other but it is really good to have a list like this for quick reference in case one is not sure what to do. It certainly helps in planning.
Shivam Garg recently posted..KASPERSKY COUPONS
It is amazing how much Google has become embedded in our lives. I’ve used everything you’ve listed. I remember the first time a co-worker told me about Google. He wasn’t even sure how to say it, but he said its the best search engine he has seen. Search engines were pretty awful back then. Shelia when you have time check my post from last week about your online identity. Another reason to stay on top of google alerts.
A. Tatum Jr recently posted..Computer Maintenance is Not Optional
Hi Sheila, Thanks for sharing these tips and the video. I’m enjoying more vids over on Chris’s YouTube channel now – good stuff!
Ileane recently posted..Where Should You Put the Guest Blogger Bio
Hi. Well I used the Google mail for sure, up until now. But, I also use the Google Docs. It’s nice and useful I think, since we can share our work with the other and update it at the same time.
Andrew Walker recently posted..Search And Recover Review & Coupon
Hi Sheila,
I’m glad I found your blog today. It looks real nice and interesting. You mentioned some Google tools that I haven’t heard of before like the Google Canned Responses. I’ve been using Google for research, Gmail, Google docs, and just recently, iGoogle and Google Reader. Google is fast becoming my go-to tool and it seems that they are constantly releasing new tools to make our lives easier.
I haven’t tried the other tools yet but I’m planning to and I’ll look forward to their new tools.
Thanks for sharing!
Theresa Torres recently posted..The History of Money – Past, Present and Future
This is exactly why I continue to frequent your site. You are so full of great resources! I’m not surprised your resource page is the most visited. I’ve been there more than a few times myself! Thanks for telling us about the new SECockpit.com. Can’t wait to try it out. Also, never heard of Google canned responses! See, that’s what I’m talking about!!
BTW, LOVE the new look of your site! I use that Follow Me side button on a couple of my sites and I’m really liking it
Martha Giffen recently posted..How To (Really) Market Your New Product
Hello Sheila,
So informative content you have put on your this post Sheila,I am glad to know about “Google Canned Responses” and “Google Places”.Already i am using Google tools for my site but these two are new for me and now just because of you i have added these two to my TO DO list.
THANK YOU and GOD BLESS
manish2010 recently posted..Outdoor Kitchen Equipment
I’m usually to running a blog and i actually respect your content. The article has really peaks my Laterally In The Spirit of Horsemanship! I definitely loved every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you publish.
Hi Sheila
As always some very helpful tips … especially for the technically challenged like me lol Now an organic farm, wow I would be really at home with that client
Will be interesting to see this new tool when it comes out too. Thanks for the heads up Sheila. Appreciated.
And hope you get to enjoy your US holiday weekend too.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavender oil recently posted..In A Spot of Bother? Lavender Could Be The Answer!
Yes! I am using Google tools for my small business, especially the Google keyword tool. I am still familiarizing myself in using the other tools that is posted by you and as I read your article I found out some tools like Google alerts that can help me to promote my business. Thanks for sharing!
Money Making Ideas recently posted..Traffic Lock Down : Secure your Traffic Now
Hi Shiela…We all know that business is important for us…I am hoping that I can achieve my success in my business through this google tools…Thanks for the tips…
Sue recently posted..Wii Review
I did not realize that Google offered so much. As I respond, I’m thinking of all of the ways that the Google tools can help me. I read once that although the Internet allows you to think globally, it’s often better to focus locally. That would go along with your statistic of 80% look up locak area businesses and information before heading out to shop. I’d that my home is in that 80%—saves on gas.
Hello Sheila…Thank you for sharing this post… I already used some, but others in your list are new to me. I will do this to ease my tasks.
Demi Jules recently posted..Friendship Issues
Hi Sheila,
Your post really helped me to understand the use of google tools for motivating a small business. It has great details and yet it is easy to understand.
That’s what i was looking for. I will definately share it with others.
Thanks for sharing.
I know these tools can really help even in small business…i have already tried it and thanks for posting it Shiela!!!
Sheila J. Hill recently posted..make abs rapidly
These tools is really a big help for me, and to other that has a small business via online marketing. thanks for sharing
James recently posted..What Helps Build Muscle Fast?
Currently, I am not using all google tools. It’s nice to have read your post as it makes me aware of all these tools in google.
Lisa recently posted..Franklin’s publishing company sued over royalties (AP)
The list really goes on and on with everything provided through Google Adwords, Google Base, Google Affiliate Network, Google Webmaster Tools, etc. All day long, we seem to be logging in and out of Google.
Very useful and informative. I am going to makes use of all these tips. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep it up..!
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