10 Free Google Apps for Your Business
Can you imagine a Web without Google? Being one of the most used search engines on the internet, it would really be hard to go online without it. Google has been a part of our everyday lives, even if you hate to admit it. Even the word ‘Google’ itself has become a newfangled term that means searching for info on the Web. With this presence comes valuable tools that Google gives away for free, which every marketer, business owner, or Web master should check and take advantage of:
1. Google Analytics
If you own a website, it only makes sense to know which trends attract what customers. This tool can help you maximize your marketing strategy and helps you measure the ROI of your social media campaign. Tagged as the crème de la crème of Google’s marketing tools, it helps you track just where traffic is coming from and where exactly it goes to your site.
2. Google Docs
Although it can definitely not replace Microsoft Office or Open Office (yet) in helping you produce professional-looking documents, Google Docs can be one of the best free online collaboration tool you can use. You can upload, edit, and share documents anytime. You can even set who can access which and do changes in real-time.
3. Google Sitemaps
If you are a Web master, you know that having a Google Sitemap on your website will help Google crawl the pages of your site. Google lets you upload an XML file as you add new pages to your website. If you want to spread the updates on your site quickly, this tool is perfect for you.
4. Google Website Optimizer
This free tool helps you increase the value of your existing websites and traffic, minus the cost of subscribing to other costly website optimizer services you can find online. All you need to do is login using your Gmail address and password. You can pick a page you want to improve conversions or test new content. This tool can also help you know if your website is effective or not by measuring your site visitors and conversion rates.
5. Google Adsense
If you like to monetize your website, you can use this tool by simply placing an Adsense code on your site. Call it passive income on the Web. You can also use this tool to send out the right ad for your mobile users. Just make sure you don’t abuse and click on your own ad. Also, you cannot have Google ads on web pages with contents that are protected by copyright laws, unless you have legal rights over those.
6. Google Webmaster Tool
Is your site easy to find on the Web? Is your blog under attack? Does your site recently returned a 404 page? Google Webmaster Tool is your all-in-one tool box where you can have all the help you need about crawling and indexing, so that people will find you easily on the Web.
7. Google Ad Planner
Ever wonder which websites attract your target market? This wonderful tool from Google helps you identify your customer by interest and demographic. You can have access to unique visitors, page views, and page ranks. You may also set filters to show specific results. If you’re an advertiser, this tool can help you know your reach, relevance and insights – getting you that list of websites where you want to advertise.
8. Google Calendar
Why spend for expensive time-keeping tool when you can use a free online calendar? With this tool, you can share your schedule with family, friends or team members. You can even access your calendar from any phone with a mobile browser, or get an sms reminder. Call it the holy grail of scheduling tools, this app lets you merge everyone’s time into one calendar.
9. Google Alert
Trend spotting? If you want to receive email updates of the latest buzz on Google based on your choice of topic, this tool is right for you. All you have to do is enter the word you’d like monitored, and specify how and where you want the info sent. This tool is also great for those running a social media campaign.
10. Google Places
Fact: Millions of people are searching Google Maps everyday. You may not have an SEO-friendly business name and it only makes sense to help people find your business by getting listed. Now, it will be easy for them to find your business address, operation hours, or even photos of your products or place. You don’t even have to own a website to get listed.
So, what’s the catch with these free tools? Google lets you do more with less. Still, you must read the fine print and ask yourself if you are willing to hand over your brand for a free use of these tools. Know that any info you provide may be used to collect data for research. As they say, with freedom comes great responsibility and you need to be careful who you trust on the Web.
Do you know other free, useful Google tools? Please feel free to share on the comments below.
Google Tools
Google Tools from Megan Shea on Vimeo.
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