SBA and Google Launch "Tools for Online Success" Partnership

SBA and Google Launch "Tools for Online Success" Partnership
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Google announced a new partnership and unveiled "Tools for Online Success," an array of online resources and training designed to help small business owners harness technology to grow their businesses. The site features tutorials, video testimonials, and tips from savvy small business people who have leveraged the web to become more efficient, more cost-effective, and more successful.

Tips for Success

• Highlight important contact details in your listing, such as address, phone number, and email address.
• Use local listings and a website to build your representation on the web. Local listings help your business display details, while a website is your virtual store front.
• Complete every available listing field to give your customers even more information.
• Post as much information about your business as possible on your website, including location, contact information, and description.
• Upload high quality photos and videos to show your unique offerings.
• Make your website user friendly
• Build pages that are easy and simple to navigate.
• Benchmark sites you like and try to incorporate the best elements of each on your site.
• Brainstorm ways to show your customers what you do well offline, on your website. Be creative.
• Use social media to ask your customers what they think about your business. Gather all the feedback and improve where ever possible.
• Post as much content as possible to inform of specials and promotions.
• Find where your customers are online and engage them.
• Utilize free marketing to announce specials, deals, and changes to your offerings. Be as clear and specific as possible.
• Build a relationship with your customers by listening to what they are saying online.
• Reach people beyond your local area. Decide who you want to reach and use free marketing to target and engage them.
• Produce original content specific to your offerings and industry.
• Use free marketing to teach and engage the community. It doesn't have to directly lead to a sale to be effective.
• Ask your customers how you can help them learn more about you and what you offer.
• Complement your traditional advertising with paid online advertising to reach consumers while they are in front of their computers.
• Search and display advertising are highly customizable. You have full control over keywords, creative, and your budget.
• Design creative specific to your services and offerings.
• Web Analytics allows you to measure and track how your customers interact with your website.
• Analyze your web analytics account to determine how you can improve your site layout and attract new customers.
• Once web analytics isimplemented, you can see where customers came from, how long they stayed on your site, and where they clicked.

Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Google is a top web property in all major global markets. Its targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

The Small Business Administration recognizes that small businesses are critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

Gustavo A. Viera, CPA