Google Throws Bone To New Businesses

Vaulting into my office chair I glide across the floor to my stalwart computer desk. It has become necessary for me to locate a local business/service. What is the first url I default to? At this point, if I didn't say Google Maps I'm quite confident that someone would throw a shoe at me. Ouch! What was that for?! I haven't even finished what I was.....oh forget it.

Everyone and their fifth cousin thrice removed uses Google Maps to locate local businesses. Moreover, I for one would be completely lost without it! Whenever someone tosses an address at me, they immediately follow it with, "Do you know where that is?" My response has become automatic. Google Maps. Two words are all I have to utter. No additional details are necessary right?

Moving along, I'm astounded when I meet someone who hasn't used at least one Google app(where did I put my shoe....) and the reason is simple. Each app offered by Google is simple to use, and it works beautifully. Besides crafting the first decent hierarchy logarithm for search engines, they've continued to embellish us with their glittering gifts of Google love. Gmail anyone?

Now, we get to start the mating ritual with yet another Google application. Google Places. If you are a new business you positively must sign up for a Google places account. The data it provides you alone is worth the valuable time you will spend setting it up.

First, Google Places will ensure that your business is visible to customers(like me) when they hop on Google Maps to search for a service related to your industry. Which is huge when you research the cost of organic SEO. Chances are, as a new business your marketing budget isn't exactly going to be rotund.

Not only will you be visible to customers, but your customer's data will become visible to you on your Google Places dashboard. Now hold on, before you start shouting privacy concerns in my ear. All data provided is purely geography based and nothing of a personal nature is displayed.

Considering it from a business owner's viewpoint you begin to understand why this is massive. You will be able to see what zip codes hold the highest volume of search traffic for your product, and you can pinpoint those areas with your advertising dollars. Handy right?

Wrapping up, Google will also allow you to virtually entice your customers. You can do electric stuff like create coupons online for your customers that they can print out and bring into the location for promotions, sales, etc.

Research shows that over 80% of consumers use the internet to search for businesses locally. SEO is indespensible and this is why. Web traffic translates into physical traffic. So, before you go shelling out your tightly budgeted dollars for costly SEO why not try signing up for a Google Places account?

To recap, you'll get what amounts to free SEO, data that will help you manage your advertising efforts/inventory, and be able to interact with your customers via event/coupon creation. I think it's definitely worth checking out. If you decide to, or you already have please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about it.

Ok, stop it with the shoes already!

What Didn't Happen Yesterday?

I stepped onto the platform at about 3:00am Friday morning, May 21st, 2010. As I peered around me I began to feel the tangible expectancy. My nose twitched as the sharp metallic smell of a coaster’s tracks drifted up into my nostrils. Periodically, the wooden beams supporting the walkway rumbled violently as another string of cars blasted by, causing my hair to lay down flat against my forehead.

Although I’m being metaphorical I’m sure there are many of you out there in the blogging community who can relate. May 21st was one long roller coaster ride. To begin, I was contacted by Sponsored Tweet, a new start-up that is seeking to turn Twitter into a serious advertising machine. No smirks here. This is serious. I mean, if you stop to consider all the moving pieces, this could effectively unseat Google’s highness /bows on the throne in the marketing kingdom. PS. Guess who is a big proponent. @Starbucks. He he he. That was for you John.

No sooner had I finished working my way through the Sponsor Tweet API, I start getting requests. To my pleasure, one of the first businesses to contact me was exactly who I expected. That’s right, Microsoft. My endorsement was approved and the tweet went out…any of my followers see it? I know it is a long shot seeing as how it was early in the morning. It was about a contest in which they promised to give away @HP machines.

Ok, so this is all soaking in when I notice that RedWriteWeb posted a story in which the WSJ took a shot at Facebook over yet another privacy issue! http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/unbelievable_wsj_calls_referring_urls_a_privacy_vi.php#comment-212706

An unexpected angle catches you by surprise and your knuckles turn white as you grip the bottom of the bench….What I don’t understand is why we’re making such a big deal of it. We all love the social media giant, and we’ve contributed to what it is today so why should we act like we have fire ants in our pants all of the sudden? They made a mistake. Now, we understand how to better define privacy parameters. Let’s move on; there are bigger items in play.

Up ahead, the car in front of me disappears over the next terrifyingly steep downgrade. When I woke up today, I see that much to my complete dismay Microsoft’s endorsement I accepted has disappeared! Well, at least Twitter has the privacy thing correct anyways. Thing is, Microsoft probably didn’t want to be caught advertising on Sponsored Tweet when they have such a big stake in Facebook. I get it.

Now we hit the next twist, my stomach lurches as I look over my shoulder and see a girl sitting next to me hunched over, her eyes closed so tight she looks as if she is in pain. Swoosh! Now the FTC has cleared Google’s mobile adwords initiative. Talk about friends in high places! This goes back to what I hinted at in the beginning of this post. Google simply can’t afford to miss a piece of this market. The “DROID DOES” for a reason….

In closing, I usually try to refrain from being perceived as a Braggadocio. In this case, I’ll take the risk. Smart Gray Matter noticed this opportunity a while ago. Plain as the nose on your face. As real as the safety bars that keep you inside the car @KingsIsland. When I realized it I knew I had to make a decision. Should I keep it to myself and start contacting VCs in an effort to produce a stealth like Sponsored Tweet? Or would I help pull the trigger and watch mayhem ensue?

My choice is evident at this point, and I doubt you could show me a coaster in the world which would give me a greater adrenaline rush. What we are watching now is evolution in process and it is glorious! We are learning how to walk and this is just the beginning.

Honorable Mention: Ad.ly / klout.com

Is PPC the Answer?

At this point it is impossible to surf the web for too long and not encounter some type of PPC. Some of you may be wondering, "what is PPC, and how do I know whether or not I'm encountering it?" PPC is 'Pay Per Click' advertising, and it allows you to market to thousands of potential customers, but only pay for the customers who are enticed into clicking on your link/ad.

For some businesses, PPC advertising works great, and they have been able/continue to grow a fairly large customer base as a result. Is there criteria? Is there a list of qualifiers I can provide you so you can compare it to your business model, and make that decision? Unfortunately, the answer is no. This is basically a trial and error method of marketing.

We advise that you begin very conservatively. Don't overburden your advertising budget with astronomical costs(remember not every click will convert into a sale) which may produce no ROI. When sampling this method of online marketing ensure that you utilize the tools provided by the host. This will afford you the luxury of choosing the exact demographic you are hoping to sell your product.

We recommend a small control advert over a period of at least 3 months. After the 3 months have concluded, go back and study the data. You will discover very quickly if it is a venture you want to continue.


http://www.smartgraymatter.com/