Using Google to Maximise your Online Presence.

In this session we ask the question ‘Is Google just a search engine or can it really be used

for more than just search?’ And then explore the possibilities.

More than just a search engine

• Google is more than just a search engine

• They have a whole host of tools available which can be leveraged in order to increase your Internet Footprint

• Leverage Google’s traffic for your own business

• The following slides are free to use Google tools

Google Blogger

• Free to use Blog platform• Simple and easy to install and use• Mature and popular system• Can be used to create links back to your main site

or as a “Plug and play” entry point to blogs• 8th most popular site on the web, 12th most

popular in the UK

For general ease of use and usability, we would recommend Wordpress as a blog engine.

Google Local

• Large opportunity if you’re not using it already

• Easy to implement and use

• Local business opportunities

• It’s the way search is evolving

• Can add to your footprint

• Encourage your customers to leave reviews

• Integrated with Google Earth

How local search looks

Google Knol

• It’s a bit like Wikipedia

• A place to write credible articles

• Link back to your own site

• Think about your own business and your own expertise

Google Alerts

• Keyword based alerts direct to your inbox

• Can be used to track your branding or primary keywords

• Find out quickly what is being indexed in your market

• Identify trends and areas of interest

YouTube!

• Google owned

• Easy to use

• Create your own video channel

• Save on bandwidth costs, deliver content in the format your users are used to

• 5th most popular site in the UK

Feedburner

• All about RSS feeds

• Lots of web users aggregate their content and interests via RSS

• Offer it as an option

• Encourage your users to sign up to your feed

Orkut

• Google’s very own Social Media platform

• Not as prevalent as other networks but still ranked 82nd in the UK in terms of traffic

Google Analytics

• Most important of all of their tools

• It’s free

• Easy to implement

• Easy to use

• Easy to understand and make informed decisions with

• Measures the affect of your footprint

Webmaster Tools

• More detailed information than GA

• For those looking for the next level technically

• All about helping you to make your site more Google friendly

• If you’re doing this in house, then you should make yourself familiar with this

Pay Per Click Advertising (PPC)

• PPC can be really effective• It can significantly increase your traffic and sales

•Advertisers can target many more keywords• Advertisers can generate a quick presence on the search engines

The returns can be fantastic!

PPC