Google offers a program called “Get Your Business Online” for local business owners. The program is a seminar type event that local businesses attend and learn how to setup their free Google+ Local business listing so that customers will be able to easily find their business in Google’s search results, Google Maps, Google+ and on mobile devices. They also get a free 5 page Intuit website and a free domain name with instructions on how to set them up, along with some great tools and resources.
In July of 2011 Google offered the first U.S. “Get Your Business Online” in Texas in conjunction with regional and national partners. When we read that it was being offered in Vermont we were excited knowing that Massachusetts would eventually offer the program. As a small local business it was in our best interest to attend and learn more about Google local search and the partners that sponsored the event. We didn’t need the free Intuit website, but always love to learn more about Google tools and resources. elSue takes advantage of many of Google’s products; Google Apps, Google Voice, Google+ Local, Google+, Asana, and more. The WordPress websites we design and develop are all Google optimized utilizing Google Webmaster Tools, Google Analytics and more. We are passionate about Google – their tools work for us as a small local business – they can work for you too.
Massachusetts Get Your Business Online
There is a Massachusetts Get Your Business Online website that contains all of the information you need to get your business online; the business listing, Intuit website, domain name, along with some excellent resources. You can sign up for tips, news, events and more that will be emailed to you. I was more than surprised to find out that 62% of businesses in Massachusetts don’t have a website – what a shocking statistic with all the resources available not just from Google, but many of the partners that participated and the web itself. Here’s a short video promoting the Massachusetts “Get Your Business Online” program in Boston.
Partners that participated in the Massachusetts event included The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC), The Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE), The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE), Intuit and more.
Friday 15 webcasts
I decided to explore the website further and found a resource I really like. It’s called “Friday 15 Webcasts” held every Friday via live Google+ Hangouts. The live discussions with industry experts peeked my interest, therefore, I signed up. Once you sign up they will send you a reminder email with instructions on how to watch. I was curious as to who would host the Hangouts and sure enough it’s Google. They are using the Google+ Hangouts feature which is a great tool in itself. Since these are new there are only three Friday 15 Series posted so far under Resources on their website. They include Monitor your business with Google Alerts, Tips for Choosing a Domain Name and Business Insights with Google Trends. This is all great information! We will start posting these on our website under elSue Videos and hope that Google continues this series.
Monitor Your business with Google Alerts
Here’s the first “Friday 15 Webcast”. At elSue we use Google Alerts to monitor our business, competitors and industry specific topics. In this Webcast/Hangout an industry expert goes over what Google Alerts is and how to use it. Enjoy and learn!
Wrap-up
If you are a local business in Massachusetts with no online presence you no longer have an excuse as to why. The Massachusetts Get Your Business Online is a great resource to get started. elSue is here to answer any of your questions. Even if you already have a website, there is a wealth of great information on their website and on the elSue Blog. Too busy to set-up the Intuit website, domain name and learn about the tools you can use. Give us a call, we can help!
Source:
Massachusetts Get Your Business Online website
Google and Your Business YouTube
