Things you can do yourself to get more business from the internet.
The first thing to do is to create a Google account as a lot of tips I’ll cover in this document are Google related. Creating a Google account is free and easy to do. See the link below which will take you through the steps and once created you can start direct.
www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
Now you’ve created a Google account you’re able to use the free and easy to use Google services below:
- Place your business on a Google map
- Create Google alerts
- Work with Google analytics
- Create Google adwords
Place your business on a map
(The links below will only work if you’ve signed up for a Google account)
When people search for say “accommodation inverness” ; Google places a map at the top of the page and list businesses who’ve placed them selves on a map. See image below.
If your business is not listed on a Google map you’re losing out to other businesses who are as it gives you a great opportunity to be listed on page no.1 on Google, and we all know how important that is. To add your business to the map click the link below.
www.google.com/local/add/businessCenter?hl=en-gb&gl=gb
You will be able to upload your business details and to add a description of your business. Make sure you’ll use the keywords in the description that you want to be found under. So when running a bed and breakfast in Inverness. Make sure to use words like “B&B, accommodation, Inverness” but also local attractions like “Loch Ness, Eden court” and even “Raigmore Hospital”. The trick is to use keywords that your customers will use to find your business. You will also be able to pinpoint your business on a map. It will take about two weeks for your business to appear on the map.
Create Google alerts
As the internet is a very open platform and anyone can write/review your business any time it is essential to know how your business/organisation is discussed on the net. An easy way to get informed is by using Google alerts.
As you can see in the image above (which links to the Google alert page) I’ve used “Tuminds” as a search term which means that every time a web site, blog or news article mentions “tuminds” I will get an email from Google with a link to the web sites. This way you will always know when people write about your business. You can have as many keywords as you like and I always advice businesses to also add their name to the list of keywords and their main competitors…
Google analytics
When owning a web site it is essential to measure the effectivenesssee how effective it is. Site statistics programs like Google analytics can give you that information.
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