Googling Your Business: Some of The Best Google Tools for Small Businesses

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Google isn’t just the most popular search engine, it’s also one of the best resources for businesses. In addition to providing all the information you need about your industry, Google also offers tools that help you measure and monitor your business performance, compare yourself with competitors, and collaborate with partners and colleagues. All this information can help you grow faster and more profitably while reducing your risk of mistakes or bad decisions. Here are some of the best Google tools for small businesses to try out today.

AdWords

Google AdWords is one of the most important tools that any business should be using. If you're not familiar with it, here's a quick rundown on how it works. You sign up to use the service and then you create an ad. This ad will show up when someone searches related keywords on google, and they'll see your ad as a sponsored search result.

Analytics

Google Analytics is a free tool that helps website owners measure their site's performance. It's a powerful tool that gives insight into how people are finding and interacting with your website, so you can make improvements to increase its success. You'll get data on where visitors are coming from, what devices they're using, and how long they're staying on your site. It also tracks conversion rates so you can see which marketing channels are working best for you.

Alerts

Google Alerts is a service that sends you an email whenever there are new results on your chosen topic. It's helpful if you want to keep track of what people are saying about your company or if you need to know when someone mentions your name in the media.

Page Analytics (by Google)

Page Analytics is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that helps you understand how people are interacting with your website. It can help you identify the pages on your site that are most popular, find out which pages have high bounce rates, and measure the effectiveness of new content. With this information, you can make informed decisions about how to improve your site's performance and better serve your target audience.

Google Page Speed Insights

It’s important that your website loads quickly and is easy to navigate. This will help customers stay on your site, where they are more likely to buy something. You can find a report of the site’s loading speed by simply typing in Page Speed Insights into the search bar. The Get Help Now button at the top-right corner allows you to take actions based off of suggestions made in the report such as optimizing images, minimizing HTTP requests, and minifying CSS/JavaScript files.

Google Search Console

Since no one has time to manage their website 24/7, it's a good idea to set up Google Search Console. With this tool you can monitor and track your site's performance in search engine rankings, diagnose technical problems like malware or URL issues, get alerts about potential problems, and more.

Google My Business

This dashboard provides insights into how customers are finding you across search, maps, and nearby listings. You can also respond to reviews left on your business listing. On the left-hand side of the screen, select Reviews. Next, choose Review responses from the top of the page and then select Add a response.

Maps

Google Maps is a great way to get an aerial view of your location or find directions. It also has a Street View feature where you can see what the area looks like from the ground up. You can also use maps to set up a new business and get directions on how to get there. If you want to know about traffic, you should check out the traffic layer which offers real-time updates.

Dialogflow CX

Dialogflow is a natural language processing service that helps you build conversational interfaces, such as chatbots or voice-activated speakers. With Dialogflow CX, you can quickly and easily create a smart agent capable of understanding the user's intent and respond with the appropriate answer. You can also use Dialogflow to manage existing customer service channels like Facebook Messenger, Gmail Chat, or Webchat.

Google lens

This is a new feature that has just been introduced to the google app and is also available via the desktop. It allows you to take pictures of things and find out what they are and where you can buy them. This is a very helpful tool if your business sells multiple items so that your customers can see what they are looking at before they make a purchase. For example, say you sell candles in different colors. If a customer takes a picture with their phone and then points their camera at one of your candles, it will pull up reviews for that candle, tell them the price, show photos of other people's candles like theirs (to help people decide which color or size they want) and more. OCR Optical character recognition is used to read text from images. You upload an image of a document, such as an invoice or receipt, and it automatically converts the text into editable text on your computer screen so you can edit it without having to type everything out. Deep Learning: Deep learning uses artificial neural networks- systems that behave similarly to animal brains-to analyze images and learn how to identify objects within them. Translate A new language option added by google last year, this allows users to translate words and sentences between languages. There is also a mobile app available called Google translate that makes it easier for businesses to have instant access to translations anywhere, anytime.

Google AI

Google has created a chatbot (now available on Messenger, too) called A.I. that helps small businesses take care of tasks like scheduling meetings and sending reminders to customers. For example, if you want to schedule a meeting with your accountant, you can type in schedule meeting and the bot will help you find the best time and offer the details of your upcoming meeting.

Google Trends

Google Trends is one of the best google online tools for marketers and businesses to use. It enables people to find out what people are searching for on a global scale, as well as their location-specific searches. With this information, you can get a sense of what the public’s needs are and adjust your marketing accordingly. For example, if you're in the airline industry and you see that more people are looking up flights in Europe than flights in Asia, then it might be time to create an international campaign. 

Another awesome feature is that by entering specific keywords into Trends, it will also show related topics or search queries which could be helpful for gaining new insights about your target audience.

Google AdSense

Through the Google AdSense program, website owners in the Google Network of content sites can serve text, picture, video, or interactive media adverts that are specifically tailored to the site's audience and content. Google oversees, organises, and maintains these adverts. Website owners set a specific price for their own advertisement space and how long they want their advertisement to be on the page. They also choose where on the page they want it placed. If a visitor clicks on an advertisement on your website, you will get paid per click.

5 Tips to Optimize Your Content for Search Engines

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an important aspect of your business’s marketing strategy.

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Most people don’t think about it when they make purchasing decisions, but if you have the right combination of keywords in your content, you can help search engines understand and present your content more easily, thus making your products more visible to potential customers. Here are 5 tips to optimize your content for search engines.

1) Write For Your Readers First

Most companies don't know how to optimize their content for search engines. Here are five basic tips that will help you get the most out of your SEO efforts. - Make sure your title is clear, concise, and descriptive of the content's purpose. This is the only thing that people will see before clicking on your link. - Include a summary at the top of your post that summarises what you're about to read in detail. Think of it as an abstract that helps readers decide whether they want to continue reading. Next: Use keywords sparingly; don't stuff them into every sentence or phrase just because you think they'll make your content more relevant. The point of using keywords is to make sure Google knows what topic your post covers so it can be found by searchers. Finally: remember to optimize your images too!

2) Do Your Keyword Research

1. Make a list of keywords you want your content to rank for. 

2. Select the keywords that are most relevant and popular, but also make sure they are not too common. 

3. Determine what percentage of your content will be dedicated to each keyword. 

4. Use keywords in the title and throughout the text of your content where appropriate, but don't overuse them or they will lose their effectiveness. 5. Monitor your progress by periodically checking back with Google's search engine result pages (SERPs) to see how your rankings change over time. 6. Think about using images, videos, maps and charts in addition to text-based content since Google may have difficulty understanding the meaning behind those words on its own. 7. Add links to related articles on other websites whenever possible so Google can better understand your site's relevancy when it comes across it while searching for something else. 8. A good rule of thumb is to use specific keywords at least once per paragraph, preferably more often than that. 9. One way to know if you've added enough key phrases is if someone who doesn't know anything about the topic could read your content and still get an idea of what you're trying to say. 10. Proofread your content carefully before publishing it, paying particular attention to grammar and spelling. 11. Ensure that your metadata includes all of the important keywords you used in your blog post plus any others you think might help improve your visibility. 12. Posting new content on a regular basis helps keep visitors coming back for more and is one of the best ways to build momentum behind a blog or website. 13.

3) Use Synonyms And LSI Keywords

The best way to optimize your content is by paying attention to the words and phrases people are searching. One way you can do this is by incorporating synonyms and LSI keywords into your content. Synonyms are different words that have the same meaning, so you may use words like quickly or immediately in place of the word fast. LSI keywords refer to latent semantic indexing, a process that uses an algorithm to analyze text and find semantically related words. For example, if someone types ice cream, they might also search for frozen yogurt. You can increase the number of LSI keywords in your content by adding phrases like best ice cream and homemade ice cream recipes.

4) Structure Your Content

In the past, search engines like Google relied on keywords in a web page's content or metadata (tags) to help determine what should show up in search results. As the Internet has evolved, however, it's become clear that these sources are not enough on their own. Today, SEO is more about helping search engines understand and present content. Here are five tips you can use to optimize your content for search engines: 1. Use Keywords Appropriately 2. Include Relevant Images 3. Include Contextual Links 4. Be Consistent 5. Make It Mobile-Friendly

5) Optimize Your Images

Images are the most important content on your site. If they don’t load properly, search engines may not show your website in their results pages. 

-Use image hosting services that allow you to upload high resolution images without exceeding file size limits. -Add alt text and title tags for each photo. Alt text is visible when an image cannot be loaded (e.g., if a user has images turned off). Use descriptive text that provides the same information as the image would have given. -Choose the right words: You can make your copy more interesting by including keywords that will help search engine users find what they want. Remember, keywords help with SERP rankings too! 

You can use APIs that will reduce the size of your images so they load faster for people with slow internet connections in order to improve user experience. 

Tools to help you with your SEO

There are a number of different tools that can be used in order to optimize your content for search engines. These include: Google Adwords Keyword Tool, Ubersuggest, Google Search Console, Google Analytics and SEOmoz. It's important to note that while these will all help you better understand the keywords you need to focus on, it's up to you do the research and create great content.

This is not just a bunch of tips! You need to use this information wisely in order to reap the rewards of optimizing your site. It's a process, but if you're serious about getting more traffic than ever before, then this is something worth investing some time into. With so many people out there doing what they can to rank higher, it's becoming increasingly difficult. So why not give yourself an edge by following some of these steps?

Bookkeeping is complicated and tedious work that requires expert skills or lots of time to be successful.

Bookkeeping is complicated and tedious work that requires expert skills or lots of time to be successful.

Businesses around the world spend billions each year on outsourced bookkeeping services for payroll, tax invoicing and other tasks. This means more money spent and more time spent paying other people to do your job so that you can run your business more effectively!

Automating Bookkeeping tasks can ease the burden on your team while freeing up their valuable time to focus on more important parts of their job. Automation has enabled many businesses to streamline 

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 their processes while increasing productivity and removing distractions from their day-to-day activities.

3 Benefits of Automating Your Bookkeeping Tasks

If you are one of the millions of small businesses, startups or eCommerce store owners out there, then you know how important it is to make every second count. Even the smallest time drains can have a major impact on your productivity – which means that automating your bookkeeping tasks could be exactly what you need to help your team stay on track and focused. If this sounds like something that might work for you, check out these three benefits of automating bookkeeping tasks and see if it’s right for your business!

1) Automating your bookkeeping tasks can save you time

Automation has enabled many businesses to streamline their processes while increasing productivity and removing distractions from their day-to-day. It's possible to automate your bookkeeping tasks by connecting Xero with a third party software like Zapier. 

Connecting Xero with a third party software like Zapier can save you time and allow you to focus on the more important parts of your job. Below are three benefits of automating your bookkeeping tasks: 1) You will have less paper work, 2) You will have less data entry errors, 3) You'll be able to track cash flow more efficiently.

2) Automating your bookkeeping tasks can improve your accuracy

Automation has enabled many businesses to streamline their processes while increasing productivity and removing distractions from their day-to-day. When you automate your bookkeeping tasks, accuracy is no longer an issue. Your team can focus on more important parts of the job that require accuracy like payroll, taxes, and invoices. This will also take away any chance for human error like forgetting to enter data or inputting incorrect information. You’ll be able to see everything at a glance without having to flip through piles of paperwork and records. Since you’ll have accurate records, it’ll be easier to produce accurate financial reports that are detailed and easy-to-read. You won’t have time wasted on manual labor tasks which allow you the freedom to do other work.

3) Automating your bookkeeping tasks can help you stay organized

Organization is a huge part of running a successful business. It's important to stay on top of all your administrative tasks so you can focus on the most important ones. One way to stay organized and save time is by automating your bookkeeping tasks. Doing this will remove the need for manual data entry, freeing up your team's valuable time. You'll also have access to critical insights that will help you make better decisions with less work required on your end. With automation, you can track expenses in real time and use that information to determine what resources are needed. Plus, if you ever get audited, having detailed records in an automated system means much less risk for your company.

Small businesses can use technology without breaking their budgets by following these 10 simple tips.

Small businesses can use technology without breaking their budgets by following these 10 simple tips.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes want to use technology to grow their business, but it can be difficult to decide where to start and how much you can invest in your growth before it starts to take away from your profits. Fortunately, there are several ways that small businesses can use technology without breaking their budgets so that you can make the most of every investment in your company’s future. Here are 10 tips for how small businesses can use technology without breaking their budgets.

1) Use free or low-cost software

One way small-business owners can get started with minimal investment is to find free or low-cost software that will help them manage their business. There are many options out there, so it's important to do your research and find the programs that work best for you and your staff. Remember, even if something looks too good to be true, it might be! It pays to read reviews of a program before purchasing it. Try Beta testing before committing: If you're looking at buying a new piece of hardware, try beta testing first before making a purchase decision. When beta testing, you'll have time to test the product in your own environment before investing in an expensive purchase. Use what works: Some companies spend money on software they never use or buy equipment they never use because they don't know what's most valuable for their business. Instead, they should put their resources into one or two items that are going to make the biggest impact. For example, some small businesses may only need a few laptops but not PCs; others may need a PC for accounting purposes and another PC for operations purposes. Identify which pieces of technology would benefit your company most and invest in those items first.

2) Get organized with a CRM

Many business owners don't think they need to invest in a CRM, but this is one of the best ways small businesses can use technology to save time and money. A CRM will help you keep track of all your customer interactions and automate repetitive tasks - like sending follow-up emails - so that you are spending less time on administrative work and more time building your business. If you want to learn more about how CRMs can benefit your business check out our blog post: How a CRM Can Help Your Business. Find what's working for your competition: One way to grow your business faster than your competition is by copying what's working for them. You may not be able to copy everything from their website or social media account but you should at least try to mimic some of their most successful marketing strategies. Look through their analytics data, social media posts, website layout and design (or hire an expert who can) to find out what has been working for them so that you can apply it yourself with success!

3) Automate your marketing

Automating your marketing is a good way to save time and money and helps you get your message in front of potential customers at the right time, every time. There are many affordable marketing automation tools available for small business owners, with some solutions costing less than $100 per month. A/B testing: A/B testing compares two versions of something to find out which one performs better. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and it’s an effective way to improve conversions on any website or landing page. Invest in content curation: To be found online today, you have to produce quality content on a regular basis. One great way to do this cheaply is through content curation – finding interesting articles and videos related to your industry and sharing them with your followers. Invest in social media advertising Social media advertising is an excellent option for reaching people who already know about your brand, but may need a little nudge before they make their next purchase. The cost varies depending on the number of clicks and impressions purchased, but Facebook ads cost around $1-3 per 1,000 impressions while Twitter ads are around $2-5 per 1,000 impressions.

4) Use social media to your advantage

#1: Utilize social media platforms to get your company's name and reputation out there, so more people will be willing to buy your products and services. Posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other sites is a great way to build relationships with customers while staying within your budget.

#2: Take advantage of free or inexpensive tools like Google Docs and Dropbox to save money on things like office space or expensive software programs that you might not need yet if you're just starting out. #3: Avoid the sticker shock of a pricey upfront fee for certain software packages when you can rent it monthly instead. 

#4: Try to establish partnerships with other small businesses in your area who are in the same industry as you are in order to help each other promote one another's brands. For example, you could offer them an exclusive discount on your product in exchange for promoting theirs. For every $100 spent at their store, they give you $10 off at yours. You both benefit from increased sales! You can also partner with a local business that has complementary skills, such as web design or graphic design, to make all of your marketing materials - then split the cost. Or if you know someone who has these skills and needs work (or vice versa), barter with them and work out payment on either cash or trade basis. 

#5: Get creative!

5) Keep your website up to date

Keeping your website up to date is one of the most important things you can do as a small business owner. A website provides a lot of information to potential customers, including contact information, social media links, and an overview of your services and products. Updating it frequently with new content will keep visitors coming back for more. If you don’t know how to update your website, ask someone who does. It might cost a little money but there are many professionals who offer this service for reasonable prices. These updates may be as simple as adding new testimonials from happy customers or updating pictures to feature current trends in your industry. Social Media: Another way to show that your company is current is through Facebook and Twitter updates. Both sites allow you to share updates about product specials, industry trends, or any other information that could be useful for potential customers. Don’t let a lack of technical knowledge stop you from taking advantage of all the benefits social media has to offer!

6) Invest in SEO

If you want to be found in search engines, you need to invest in SEO services from the beginning. The investment is worth it because you'll get more traffic and sales with a better ranking on Google and other popular search engines. Don't buy software unless you know what you're going to do with it: If you buy software without knowing how to use it, then there's a good chance that you won't be able to or will end up not using it at all. 

Use free resources like YouTube for training: YouTube has great tutorials for everything from web design basics to the newest version of Photoshop. You might even find some free software programs that are just as good as expensive ones! Offer your customers discounts on tech products and services: Every time one of your customers buys something, ask them if they want a discount for the next purchase. It could lead to bigger purchases later down the line. Put together an office IT policy: Make sure everyone understands company-wide rules about internet usage, computer settings and social media policies so that no one falls through the cracks when there's a problem. Consider investing in security cameras: Security cameras are becoming less expensive as well as much easier to install than they were before. There's really no excuse not to have security cameras if you don't already have them installed!

7) Use data to make decisions

1) Check your monthly data usage. Data plans are all different, but you should know what to expect for the month so you don't get a surprise bill at the end of the month or find that you've exceeded your limit and have to fork out more money. 2) Use video chat instead of phone calls when possible. 3) Choose your apps carefully - there's no need to download every app on offer. 4) Look for free alternatives where possible. 5) Make sure your security software is up-to-date. 6) Create good passwords - they should be long and difficult to guess. 7) Keep yourself up-to-date with emerging technologies in the industry through blogs like this one. 8) Get rid of spam emails as soon as you see them in your inbox. 9) Protect yourself online by changing passwords regularly, not using the same password for everything, avoiding public WiFi networks and never opening attachments from people you don't know. 

8) Stay ahead of the curve

Technology is an integral part of any small business, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Small businesses often find themselves with a limited budget, so here are ten easy ways you can get ahead of the curve and keep your company competitive while staying within your means:

- Use Google Apps for Business - this package offers a suite of tools including email, video conferencing and much more at an affordable price. You also have unlimited storage space, so if you're worried about the space that would take up on your computer, don't be! Google Drive also lets you edit files in real time with collaborators all over the world. - Automate your accounting tasks with Xero - Xero offers powerful features like invoicing and expense tracking that will help make running your business as efficiently as possible.

9) Get help when you need it

The tricky part about using new technologies is that there's always a learning curve, and you'll need to decide how much help you need along the way. If you're feeling confident in your skills, then go ahead and do it on your own; if not, find a friend who has more experience or hire someone to help out as needed (or both). In the end, it will save you money. Find out what free options are available: It may be tempting to spend big bucks on software for things like bookkeeping, but many companies offer completely free alternatives that are just as good. You might also be able to get open-source software for some tasks, which means no money is spent at all! Try before you buy: Test drive any major purchase of software before buying so that you know exactly what works best for your needs.

10) Have a plan