4 Free Ways Google Can Help Your Business

Many small-business owners would like to tap into all the Google tools available for small businesses, but they don't really know where to start. An AOL Small Business editorial provides some ideas:

A couple of years ago, I interviewed a guy who made hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by placing tiny Google ads on his site. It took time -- he had to become an SEO master and create a ton of original content -- but it worked.

Most small-business owners have neither the inclination nor dedication to do what he did. But you can definitely use Google to help grow your business. Specifically, there are four cool tools that Google offers that can help any small business get ahead. And the best part? They are free, easy to use and powerful.

1. Google Profiles

We all know how valuable a page one Google search result is. Well, what if I told you Google offered you a free tool that guaranteed that a page you created would end up on the first page of any Google search for your business -- would that be of interest to you?

I thought so.

One of the dangers in this online world we all inhabit is that people can post almost anything they want about your business, even if it is not a true or accurate reflection of your business. And if you are not an SEO expert like the guy I mentioned above, complaints (on Yelp, blogs, forums, or wherever) may be the first thing people see about your business.

Enter Google Profiles. By creating your own Google Profile, you can create a Google page that is written by you and puts your best foot forward. Then, whenever someone Googles you or your business (you can create a profile for both), that Profile is guaranteed to be at the bottom of the first page of search results.

Pretty nifty, huh?

2. Google Alerts

What are people saying about you and your business online? Of course, it is very hard to track -- that is, unless you set up a Google Alert. Daily or weekly, you can have Google send you an e-mail that lists all of the places where you and your business are mentioned.

Consider how valuable that could be. If people say something nice about your business, you can thank them. If they complain, you can catch it early. Either way, getting regular notifications about your business will help you protect and grow your brand.

You may also want to create alerts for the competition, to see what is being said about them. Or what about getting alerts for important words or trends in your industry? That turns Google Alerts into a very powerful research tool -- where the results come to you.

3. Google Places

Google Places is sort of like the White Pages of today. Think about a search you have done for a local business. What pops up first when you do that? That's right, a little map of the area with that business and others nearby. That is Google Places.

Places allows you to add your business to that local directory and map -- for free. Your Places place can list hours of operation, pictures of the store, coupons and more. If you are willing to pay a small fee of $25, you can even make your Places spot stand out even more.

4. Google Trends

Officially called "Insights for Search," Google Trends can be a valuable research tool for your business, allowing you to tap into market indicators. This tool enables you to track Google searches on various subjects, going back to 2004. Here, for example, is a search of the term "small business mobility." You will see it was not even a significant search term before 2007. Trends then is a good tool for locating past -- and potentially future -- trends in your business or for your products.

Bottom line: Google is a lot more than search these days -- and the right tools can be good for your bottom line.