Small Businesses and the Wonders of Google

Google Analytics and Google AdWords: Marketing Opportunities Galore!

Google has truly transformed the way the Internet works, for both consumers and businesses. Think about all the things Google does/has:

• Google search engine
• Google Chrome browser
• Google Maps
• Google Docs
• Google Plus
• Gmail
• Google Analytics
• Good AdWords
• Google Translate
• Google Earth

I'm sure I'm forgetting to include a LOT of other things on that list, as well. Google is basically an Internet Giant. A mecca of information: a search engine that outshines all of its competitors, a social network to rival Facebook, an e-mail system that has an estimated 26 million (or more) active users... Again, THIS list could go on and on... and on!

Sitting in class tonight, our professor showed us how Google AdWords works. And it made a light bulb go off in my head. I realized something profound and amazing... Well, I think it's profound and amazing. Most people probably won't care. But I realized that Google AdWords is an amazing way for small businesses to advertise themselves in a relatively inexpensive way.

Now, I should include the fact that I'm hyper-aware of small businesses and the struggles that small businesses face. My dad owns a small business, and it's struggling in this failing economy. I see what he deals with on a regular basis, and I know getting the word out about his agency (he is in advertising) is hard in this day and age. It's all about networking, knowing the right people, and getting people to engage in word-of-mouth. But how does an advertising agency go about... advertising itself? And especially a small advertising agency, at that.

And so, while watching my professor demonstrate how to use Google AdWords in class, the light bulb moment occurred. And I realized.. Wow, my dad could do this! Whether he uses it for his advertising agency, to put it out there online and make people aware; or, whether he uses it to start up a small consulting firm on the side. Either way, Google AdWords could be just the thing he needs, especially on a tight budget.

Google AdWords...

1. Is relatively inexpensive. You can set your monthly budget to what you are comfortable with, and you can set the highest bid price you are willing to pay for certain keywords and the top positions on Google searches. Therefore, Google AdWords can be seen as inexpensive, because you are only spending the amount you are WILLING to spend, and COMFORTABLE with spending.
   
2. Is fast, easy, and has almost instant implementation. The video tutorial (http://youtu.be/tx2L6EGa9DY) briefly and clearly explains the process, making it easy even for someone who has minimal computer skills to get set up. According to one blogger, it only took about 20 minutes for their ad to appear after they set it up. To read that article, go here: http://www.newfangled.com/benefits_of_google_adwords
3. Lets you edit, or completely stop, your campaign at any time. Realized different wording would be better? Need to change the site URL for some reason? Don't have the money that month, and want to stop the campaign all together? Piece of cake!
   

And so where does Google Analytics come into play? Easy enough: it helps you analyze every little detail about your website, the site traffic, etc. And it helps you determine if what you've done with Google AdWords is affective. Did you chose the right wording? Are the keywords you picked right on, or way off?

It's a beautiful match, like peanut butter & jelly: You almost can't have one without the other. I mean, you could... But why would you?