It's now 3 months since Google first arrived in Wales with the Getting Welsh Business Online campaign, to help local businesses get and grow online (doesn't time fly when you're having fun!) We've had a great response from Welsh businesses and a significant number have booked one-to-one advice sessions at the Google Juice Bar or attended our workshops, seminars and events.
And it doesn't end there... In addition to the Growing Business Online Training with Pearson (https://www.gbotraining.co.uk/) we've been working closely with our selected legacy agencies: Spindogs, Sequence and Bisnet, to make sure we continue supporting businesses in Wales with their online marketing. The legacy agencies will be delivering Google events from June onwards; details will be on the Getting Welsh Business Online website (www.gbbo.co.uk).
We'd like to give special thanks to all of our partners; Welsh Government, Business in Focus, The Federation of Small Businesses, Cardiff & Co, South Wales Chamber of Commerce and The Institute of Directors in Wales in addition to all our local champions for supporting the campaign. And a final big thank you for hosting us Wales!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Guest Blog - Imaginet talks Social Media
Social Media is a great way for businesses to improve their brand image by sharing information about their products or services and communicating with their target audience quickly and openly. Some of the main platforms include Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube, each having their own unique characteristics. The key is understanding which of these platforms the people you want to communicate with are using.
Case Study - Royvon; a dog kennel based in Merthyr Tydfil
Results:
Case Study - Royvon; a dog kennel based in Merthyr Tydfil
Aims:
1. Increase the boarding turnover by 15% for year July 2010 - June 2011, compared to the year July 2009 - June 2010.
2. Increase awareness of the Royvon brand by as many users as possible interacting with our primary social media page.
3. Increase the levels communication with customers by innovatively using social media to inform them of their dogs’ wellbeing, to a standard that surpasses expectations.
Traditional marketing messages weren’t being received by Royvon’s target audience, as they weren’t in the market for their services. The target market would never consider using a Boarding Kennel due to the industry's poor perceptions. Research via Google Adwords showed that dog owners were not searching for ‘Luxury Boarding Kennel’, ‘Dog Hotel’ or similar, they would source an alternative maybe a Pet Sitter, a Home Boarding option or choose to travel with their dogs. Investigations also showed that conventional advertising was very expensive and did not achieve the desired results. Royvon needed a platform that was easily accessible to their target market that would communicate that Royvon was very different and wasn’t your usual Boarding Kennel. Social media advertising allowed them to target their demographic at a low cost. The marketing strategy was to ensure that our prospects felt that we understood them; we cared about them, we can prove that we’ve helped others just like them, we want to establish trust.
Results:
- Through using social media Royvon were able to increase revenue 35%. This is a 20% increase on their original target and was delivered on time and within budget.
- Cost of marketing on Facebook vs sales directly attributed to Facebook for the period gave a ROI ratio of £11.67 per £1 spent
- By the last month of the project (August 2011) Royvon had achieved 2000 active users on their primary social media page. Their conversion rate improved by 9% during this period, their average conversion rate was 55% and by June 2011 their conversion rate had increased to 64%.
- The final objective was to increase levels of client interaction & satisfaction by our team members which surpassed clients’ expectations. An online survey of Royvon services showed that of surveyed clients rated 70% as highly satisfied and 21% satisfied.
Top Tips for Social Media First Timers
Have a plan: Define some objectives for what you want to achieve and create a plan for how you will meet these objectives. Don’t be afraid to adjust your plan and your approach as you learn more about social media, your audience and they best way to communicate with them.
Do your research: Use tools such as the Google Adwords keyword tool and Google Insights for search to find out what your target audience are interested in and searching for.
Provide value: Make sure the content you are creating, publishing and sharing will provide value and be of interest to people.
Keep it simple: Don’t try and do too much too soon or overstretch your resources.
Measure and review what you do: All the major platforms record your activity and provide stats to review, so take a look and see what content gets the best response.
Use Google Analytics to see what traffic referred from social media sites is doing when it gets to your website. Use this information to adjust your approach and the content you publish.
Interact: If someone takes the time to comment on what you do – good or bad – it’s important to respond.
Stay positive and flexible. If you aren’t getting the outcomes you want, review what you’ve been doing, see what’s working and what isn’t and adjust your approach accordingly.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Google announces Welsh Gmail
Languages can provide identity, pride, a sense of belonging and spiritual guidance to communities. We hope that by making Gmail available in both majority and minority languages, more people will be able to share their culture and knowledge with others worldwide. Today, we’re very excited to announce that Gmail is now available in Welsh and Latin American Spanish. You can select Welsh and Latin American Spanish as your default language in Settings:
Article by Chris Yang, Product Manager, Translator Toolkit
Welsh, as a living language, is used by an increasing number of speakers, in their everyday life. For this project, we’d like to thank the Welsh Language Commissioner for working with us to make Gmail available to Welsh speakers around the world. The project was completed through Google Translator Toolkit, which is a Computer-Aided Translation tool supporting over 100,000 language combinations.
Article by Chris Yang, Product Manager, Translator Toolkit
Google AdWords Express
Google AdWords
Express is a way to use Google to provide local consumers with what they’re
looking for. 97% of consumers
research products online before buying locally*, and by taking advantage of this businesses have a huge opportunity to attract volumes of potential customers who are already
looking for them online.
Relevant to customers
Just as with regular
AdWords, Google AdWords Express is tailored for local businesses to create relevant ads for local
customers. By setting up a Google Adwords Express account your business listing
will appear prominently for customers searching in your area.
The difference is AdWords express takes
the hassle out of determining what keywords to place your advert against -
Google’s automatic system determines what your business is about and places the
adverts automatically to draw traffic to your site with minimal effort. It
works with keywords to appear in relevant searches and increase the number of
people finding your
business, and this is all managed by Google automatically.
Integrated and user-friendly
Your Google
AdWords Express account is integrated with other Google services. It functions
alongside a Google Places page so that it is specifically targeting local
customers.
Your business
also becomes highlighted and stands out from the crowd on searches in Google Maps. If your business has a website then you can provide a link for customers
to follow. If not, then your Google Places page will provide all of the business details a potential customer might need.
Customisable
Once you have
set up the service you only pay when your ad is clicked by a potential
customer, you also set your specific budget and will never be charged more than
that amount for the service.
Self-sufficient
Once you are
set up, Google AdWords Express automatically does everything for you with no
need for any further input (unless you want to), allowing you to concentrate
on other aspects of your business.
Follow these 3 steps to set up your Google AdWords Express account:
2.
Insert
relevant details for your ad
3.
Choose
your campaign and budget
* Source: BIA Kelsey
Labels:
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getting welsh business online,
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Location:
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Thursday, May 24, 2012
Google GWBO Video Diaries - Week 4
The final instalment of our Getting Welsh Business Online video diaries is here! We catch up with Ben, Joan and Fiona during the final week of their four week journey through the campaign. If you missed their first three virtual diary entries you can catch up with them here:
week 1, week 2, week 3.
Remember that the Google Juice Bar is open for bookings in Cardiff Bay until the end of May. Other regional dates have been announced in Barry, Milford Haven and Torfaen.

Joan Ryan - Colderidgeryan, Online Personal Assistant
Ben Allen - Big Blue Bike, Cycle Couriers www.bigbluebike.co.uk
Fiona Mclaren, Bobadeg, Interactive Children's Books www.bobadeg.com
week 1, week 2, week 3.
Remember that the Google Juice Bar is open for bookings in Cardiff Bay until the end of May. Other regional dates have been announced in Barry, Milford Haven and Torfaen.

Joan Ryan - Colderidgeryan, Online Personal Assistant
Ben Allen - Big Blue Bike, Cycle Couriers www.bigbluebike.co.uk
Fiona Mclaren, Bobadeg, Interactive Children's Books www.bobadeg.com
ANNOUNCING GROWING BUSINESS ONLINE TRAINING
Getting British Business Online has partnered with the world’s leading learning company Pearson, on a new initiative that provides online training to help you get started and grow your business online.
To register, try the free module, +1 it or share it visit https://www.gbotraining.co.uk/ and start learning today.
Growing Business Online Training provides interactive step by step training modules that include video case studies, quizzes and lots of tips and tricks to help businesses apply their knowledge right away. The training covers topics such as how to build a website, how to plan for and set up online marketing to help customers find you online, how to sell your product/service online and how to measure the effectiveness of your online efforts. Modules are tailored to different levels of online knowledge and experience so you can begin at the point that is most relevant for you:
- Beginner Module - Get online. Build your website and help customers find your business online.
- Intermediate Module - Start promoting your business online. Improve and maintain your online presence and help customers find you online.
- Advanced Module - Sell and understand data online. Set up e-commerce and use data to improve your business.
To register, try the free module, +1 it or share it visit https://www.gbotraining.co.uk/ and start learning today.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Getting customer loyalty online
Many local businesses depend on loyal
customers to spend money regularly and to tell people about the business. Offline this means getting to know customers who regularly walk through
your door, finding out more about the people who buy your products and perhaps
even offering customers rewards for their loyalty. This translates to the
internet and it’s easy to create opportunities to connect with your regular
clients and gain a new set of loyal customers once your business is online:
Direct line to customers
Interacting with customers through social
media is one way businesses increase loyalty online. Responding directly to
feedback from a social network gives your business the human character that
earned you loyalty offline. People respond just as positively to this online.
Gauging opinions
Customers are now more likely than ever to
share their experience of a shop, restaurant or any service provider using
social media. This means you can thank people for their positive comments as
well as providing a prompt resolution if something negative arises. This can
make all the difference in gaining and keeping loyal customers. Consumers can
influence how your business is represented online, embracing this is important
as you begin using social media as a tool.
Incentives
Incentives such as competitions, coupons or
loyalty schemes can encourage new customers to use your service and to think of
you the next time around. Setting up a free profile on Google Places will allow
customers to share their loyalty in the form of a review, or by sending your
business’ details to friends. You can also list special offers and coupons on
your business’ page on Google Places that can be used by customers when they
visit you in person. Offering certain deals exclusively through online sources
can be a great way of building a loyal base of returning customers online. Sign
up for a free Google Places page here.
At the Google Juice Bar help is available to get you started on optimising your business online. Google Juice Bar sessions are available in Cardiff Bay up until the end of May alongside other regional dates so book now to secure your free session.
At the Google Juice Bar help is available to get you started on optimising your business online. Google Juice Bar sessions are available in Cardiff Bay up until the end of May alongside other regional dates so book now to secure your free session.
GWBO Bite Size Interviews - Dr Marilyn Godfrey
We caught up with Dr Marilyn Godfrey who spoke to us about her experience of the Getting Welsh Business Online initiative.
Former International athlete, Marilyn is nicknamed 'Mrs Magic' for her transformational abilities in enabling people of all ages to change, attain peak performance and turn their lives around to be more successful in their businesses and personal lives. Using a variety of skills including Speech work, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Master Practitioner, International Trainers' Trainer and University Lecturer Marilyn produces results quickly and gently.
''As a Licensed NLP Trainer and Master Practitioner I work with people who need to communicate better, and who need to make changes, helping them earn more money and live their dreams.
''As a Licensed NLP Trainer and Master Practitioner I work with people who need to communicate better, and who need to make changes, helping them earn more money and live their dreams.
Most of my clients find me by word of mouth, which is great, but I wanted to reach a wider audience because I work online and by phone as well as face to face.
I wanted to build my own website and I hadn’t done it because I thought everyone else knew what they were doing and I didn’t. Then I heard about the Google initiative to help people get their businesses online and I thought that’s worth a try. So I went along to the launch in Cardiff Bay and was amazed to discover how many other people of all ages wanted the same information as me, and how easy the tools were to access.
Previously I hadn’t used any Google tools, but now I’m building my own website with the help of the Google Juice Bar. I was amazed by how simple the website builder is to use, I can just drag and drop photos off my camera into it! Once it’s finished I’m really interested in getting to grips with AdWords to advertise online too. If I can do it, anyone can!
If you want free one to one advice with a Google advisor on any aspect of growing online visit www.gbbo.co.uk/wales
Friday, May 18, 2012
Ecommerce Explained
Ecommerce means providing a service, selling a product, or generating sales via your website. This could mean selling a physical object, or something more service based, like a courier allowing customers to book a delivery online, or maybe a restaurant allowing patrons to order take-away from their online menu. When implemented correctly, Ecommerce can be extremely powerful, it opens up a new sales channel and should increase profit as less work is required in making a sale for businesses. Most importantly it can be measured, reviewed, and constantly improved really easily.
The web allows businesses to make use of both online and offline marketing and use free tools like Google Analytics to gauge the performance of that activity and react accordingly based on the performance. No other sales platform allows you to measure your marketing efforts in this way. Businesses can significantly benefit one business has reduced their lead generation costs from over £100 each, down to £7 per lead by constantly refining and improving their website. One online retailer has increased their website visitors by over 2000% (using competitive keywords) over a 12 month period, during this time online sales increased by 112%
Test and prove the concept before you invest. Launching an ecommerce site from scratch requires a huge amount of time, effort and money to start generating sales, just like setting up a shop on the high street. We always recommend that businesses take a phased approach, try allowing website visitors to enquire rather than purchase, letting them buy from low cost sales channels such as Ebay or Facebook Shops, or purchase over the phone, before investing in a full blown ecommerce platform. Once you have a high volume of website traffic of people who you know want to buy your product or service online it’s time to make the move.
Before you start remember to:
- Make use of the free tools like Google Analytics that can help you gauge performance of product and service activities
- Test and prove your concept. There are lots of low cost commission based platforms that can allow you to start selling online, Ebay shops, Facebook E-commerce, and other free website builders are all great ways of testing the water.
This article was a guest blog post written by Spindogs one of the Google Agency Partners for the Getting Welsh Business Online Campaign.
GWBO Bite Size Interviews - Bisnet talks websites
We interviewed Bisnet, a Google Agency Partner for the Getting Welsh Business Online Initiative, on the benefits of having a website for your businesses.Bisnet is a free and independent ICT service provided by Caerphilly County Borough Council to help local businesses apply IT solutions both in the office and online. Bisnet works with a range of local partners including web developers, designers, copywriters, PPC, SEO and social media experts. Bisnet also manage IT projects specialising in digital business networks.
What's the advantage of having a website for your business?
A business website is your shop window to potential customers worldwide. Your website should showcase your products/services and represent your business personality. Getting your business online will help you find more customers from both your local area and on a national scale. New and existing customers can find out about your products and services 24 hours a day 7 days a week, even when you're shut.
What impact can being online have on your business?
A local fashion shop recently set up an eCommerce shop to begin selling products online - he now receives orders from all over the world and runs competitions on social media sites. His website is a vital business asset when many high street stores are struggling to survive.
How much can you grow online?
How much can you grow online?
A local sports product manufacturing business developed an eCommerce site in late 2011 - not only is business booming but they have also been approached by an international company regarding developing a franchise for the business. Without a website these links would have never been made and the opportunity for business growth would have been missed.
What other advantages does being online have?
Your suppliers may be closer than you think! A local animal feeds business set up a website to find customers and in turn received a call from a local packaging supplier on a nearby industrial estate. In the past they had been importing their packaging supplies from Northern Ireland but getting online meant they made a new connection, improved their environmental impact and cut down their overheads.
What other advantages does being online have?
Your suppliers may be closer than you think! A local animal feeds business set up a website to find customers and in turn received a call from a local packaging supplier on a nearby industrial estate. In the past they had been importing their packaging supplies from Northern Ireland but getting online meant they made a new connection, improved their environmental impact and cut down their overheads.
What's your advice to businesses who are thinking of setting up a website for the first time?
Research your competitors, see what works well for them and what doesn't. Think about the image of your business and how you want to present yourselves. Make sure you can control the content and make changes in the future. Speak to local companies about their experiences. Contact local developers to get more ideas and research your competitors sites for existing functionality and tips.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Google Juice Bar Video Diaries - Week 3
Week 3 of our video diaries is here. Find out how our Getting Welsh Business Online case studies have progressed this week as share their thoughts on their journey through the campaign.
If you have missed previous instalments catch up with week 1 and week 2.
Joan Ryan - Colderidge & Ryan
Fiona Mclaren - Bobadeg www.bobadeg.com/en
If you have missed previous instalments catch up with week 1 and week 2.
Ben Allen - Big Blue Bike www.bigbluebike.co.uk
Joan Ryan - Colderidge & Ryan
Fiona Mclaren - Bobadeg www.bobadeg.com/en
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Hot off the press - new dates and venues for the Google Juice Bar
We're pleased to announce that the Google Juice Bar will be visiting more venues in Wales during the merry month of May. Spaces are limited so make sure you book your place early.
The Google Juice Bar is a great opportunity to get a free 40 minute one-to-one session with a Google advisor. You can chat about all aspects of being online from improving your website to effective online advertising. Find out how you can grow your business online by booking a session.
Barry, Glamorgan
25th May 2012
9am - 5pm
Venue
Barry YMCA – The Hub
Court Road
Barry
CF63 4EE
Pembrokeshire
29th May 2012
9am - 5pm
Venue
4b Cedar Court,
Havens Head Business Park,
The Docks, Milford Haven,
SA73 3LS
Torfaen, Blaenavon
30th May
9am - 5pm
Venue
SRS,
Ty Cyd,
Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate,
Blaenavon,
Torfaen. NP4 9RL
Cardiff
Clarkslegal Juice Bar
30th May 2012
9am - 5pm
Clarkslegal
2 Caspian Point
Cardiff CF10 4QQ
This Juice Bar offers one-hour slots which will be made up of 40 minutes of Google advice and 20 minutes of legal advice from one of Clarkslegal solicitors on protecting your online presence.
Case Study: John Gold - Cardiff Dog Groomer
Our latest Getting Welsh Business Online case study profiles John Gold who runs a mobile dog grooming business with his wife Lucy called Cardiff Mobile Dog Groomer.
When they first set up they had no experience of running a business and started completely from scratch. They created a website and utilised several Google tools including Google Adwords. Since being online John has seen significant growth in his business and has provided him with opportunities that he found couldn't be achieved through traditional forms of marketing. Here's his story:
When they first set up they had no experience of running a business and started completely from scratch. They created a website and utilised several Google tools including Google Adwords. Since being online John has seen significant growth in his business and has provided him with opportunities that he found couldn't be achieved through traditional forms of marketing. Here's his story:
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
5 good reasons to use social media for your business
Social media is a way to connect with customers like never before, it's also one of the most nuanced aspects of online marketing that can be intimidating for some first time users.
At the Google Juice Bar you can chat with an advisor about any aspect of making your company successful online, this includes Social Media. To book yourself into the Google Juice Bar visit www.gbbo.co.uk/juicebar
Here are a few good reasons to use social media to promote your business:
1. Get your business noticedSocial media can expose your business to a wider audience and attract more potential customers to your website. Once you’re established on your platform of choice you’ll have the opportunity to reach a larger and more interested crowd. You can also search for customers whose interest range or location is relevant to your business, and engage them with content, conversation or even special offers.
2. Build brand loyalty
By keeping happy customers updated about your products or events, you’ll keep them coming back for more and telling their friends about you. This also works in reverse, so if a customer is disappointed, social media gives them an opportunity to tell you (and the rest of the world) about their experience. See this as an opportunity to deal pro-actively with any negative feedback and a second chance to impress your customers with how well you deal with their issue.
By keeping happy customers updated about your products or events, you’ll keep them coming back for more and telling their friends about you. This also works in reverse, so if a customer is disappointed, social media gives them an opportunity to tell you (and the rest of the world) about their experience. See this as an opportunity to deal pro-actively with any negative feedback and a second chance to impress your customers with how well you deal with their issue.
3. Provide support
Social media is a great way to develop closer relationships with your clientele. Use it to answer customer questions, or give solutions to problems. A friendly dialogue will provide you with an invaluable personal connection to your consumers.
4. Join discussions about your industry
Network online with other people in your industry. By joining relevant conversations you can influence what others in your sector think about you,
learn about your competition and direct new customers to your services.
5. It’s free (almost)
The most popular social media sites are free. The cost involved is your time as you learn to use them. Once you’re more confident social media will become as much a part of your routine as checking your emails. Remember, big brands employ entire teams to build their social followings, so don’t be disheartened if it takes you some time, you’ll soon get the hang of it and there are plenty of free resources to help you on the way.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Are you a Woogler?
We took a trip to Google UK HQ in London last month to chat to some of their employees about their Welsh roots and their thoughts on the Getting Welsh Business Online Campaign. We also interviewed Welsh Google employees further afield, even as far as California, via a hangout which is rather nifty feature of Google+.
During the interviews we found out a rather interesting couple of facts; if you are a new Googler you are a Noogler, if you are Welsh Googler you are a Woogler. So the question is are you a Noogler, a Woogler or a Noogler Woogler?
To find out more information on the Getting Welsh Business Online Campaign visit the website www.gbbo.co.uk/wales
FAQ's from The Google Juice Bar - Part 2
The Google Juice Bar Team have come up with more Q&A’s to form Part 2 of FAQ’s from the Google Juice Bar.
Remember the Google Juice Bar is open daily throughout May at Saint Line House in Cardiff Bay. More regional Juice Bars will be announced soon so keep an eye on the website. Book your session at www.gbbo.co.uk/juicebar
What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is anything written after a hash symbol (#) with no spaces between words. For example, #ThisIsAHashtag. Hashtags work on Twitter and Google+, if you click a hashtag on twitter, or search in Google+, you can see every post from the past week containing that hashtag. Using hashtags is a way to tag your posts with topic categories so that people outside your direct network can find and enjoy relevant posts. Using a unique hashtag is a useful way to get a physical audience together in the online space during a conference or campaign, for example the #GWBO tag for Getting Welsh Business Online!
What is trending?
On Twitter you'll notice hashtags listed in the trending topics at the bottom left of your homepage. If you can generate enough interest in a hashtag other tweeters will use it too, you can use this as a free way to raise awareness of your business. #FreeStarbucks is an example of a business using a hashtag to trend globally. Use hashtags.org to analyse trending hashtags you might want to get involved with.
What should I post on my Facebook business page?
Anything relevant to the community who "like" your business. Use imagination and common sense to make the most interesting posts possible. Try to think like your audience - what would make you like or comment on a post? Aim to create an entertaining user experience that will grab attention and remind them of your brand/business. Try not to post for the sake of it, and don’t spam your audience with constant adverts for your services. People tend to engage with photos and videos more than with plain blocks of text. If you have a blog it's a great idea to link to your posts on your Facebook feed.
What are ‘keywords’?
Keywords are words and phrases which describe your product or service that Google looks for when it’s indexing your website. Keywords will help Google decide how relevant your website to people searching, and thus where your site ranks on the search results. If you choose to use Google AdWords to advertise your business online your keywords will dictate how much money you spend and how many people find you.
What keywords should I use?
Consider what a potential client will be entering into the Google search bar. Making a keyword as unique as possible and relevant to the user is vital. A keyword that is too broad ends up putting you in competition with every other company in your industry. Google AdWords has a keyword tool to help you along the way.
What is Click Through Rate (CTR)?
Click Through Rate (CTR) relates to Google AdWords. It's a percentage of the number of clicks divided by the number of ad impressions. CTR data can help gauge the relevance of keywords to the ad text. CTR has a big impact on quality score, so maintaining a good CTR by having relevant keywords for ad texts is important because a good quality score will lower your cost-per-clicks.
Can I target Adwords to be shown only in my local area?
Yes, when creating a new campaign on Google AdWords you can target to specific cities, towns and areas etc. by selecting 'let me choose...' in the Locations and Languages section.
Remember the Google Juice Bar is open daily throughout May at Saint Line House in Cardiff Bay. More regional Juice Bars will be announced soon so keep an eye on the website. Book your session at www.gbbo.co.uk/juicebar
What is a hashtag?
A hashtag is anything written after a hash symbol (#) with no spaces between words. For example, #ThisIsAHashtag. Hashtags work on Twitter and Google+, if you click a hashtag on twitter, or search in Google+, you can see every post from the past week containing that hashtag. Using hashtags is a way to tag your posts with topic categories so that people outside your direct network can find and enjoy relevant posts. Using a unique hashtag is a useful way to get a physical audience together in the online space during a conference or campaign, for example the #GWBO tag for Getting Welsh Business Online!
On Twitter you'll notice hashtags listed in the trending topics at the bottom left of your homepage. If you can generate enough interest in a hashtag other tweeters will use it too, you can use this as a free way to raise awareness of your business. #FreeStarbucks is an example of a business using a hashtag to trend globally. Use hashtags.org to analyse trending hashtags you might want to get involved with.
What should I post on my Facebook business page?
Anything relevant to the community who "like" your business. Use imagination and common sense to make the most interesting posts possible. Try to think like your audience - what would make you like or comment on a post? Aim to create an entertaining user experience that will grab attention and remind them of your brand/business. Try not to post for the sake of it, and don’t spam your audience with constant adverts for your services. People tend to engage with photos and videos more than with plain blocks of text. If you have a blog it's a great idea to link to your posts on your Facebook feed.
Keywords are words and phrases which describe your product or service that Google looks for when it’s indexing your website. Keywords will help Google decide how relevant your website to people searching, and thus where your site ranks on the search results. If you choose to use Google AdWords to advertise your business online your keywords will dictate how much money you spend and how many people find you.
What keywords should I use?
Consider what a potential client will be entering into the Google search bar. Making a keyword as unique as possible and relevant to the user is vital. A keyword that is too broad ends up putting you in competition with every other company in your industry. Google AdWords has a keyword tool to help you along the way.
What is Click Through Rate (CTR)?
Click Through Rate (CTR) relates to Google AdWords. It's a percentage of the number of clicks divided by the number of ad impressions. CTR data can help gauge the relevance of keywords to the ad text. CTR has a big impact on quality score, so maintaining a good CTR by having relevant keywords for ad texts is important because a good quality score will lower your cost-per-clicks.
Can I target Adwords to be shown only in my local area?
Yes, when creating a new campaign on Google AdWords you can target to specific cities, towns and areas etc. by selecting 'let me choose...' in the Locations and Languages section.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Google Juice Bar Video Diaries - Week 2
We asked local businesses to share their experiences of the Getting Welsh Business Online initiative through video diaries. We followed their progress over four weeks. Here's week 2 of the series. Catch up with part one of their stories here.
Ben Allen - Big Blue Bike www.bigbluebike.co.uk
Fiona Mclaren - Bobadeg www.bobadeg.com/en
Joan Ryan - Coleridgeryan
Ben Allen - Big Blue Bike www.bigbluebike.co.uk
Fiona Mclaren - Bobadeg www.bobadeg.com/en
Joan Ryan - Coleridgeryan
FAQs from the Google Juice Bar - Part 1
|
Friday, April 27, 2012
New dates and times announced for the Google Juice Bar
In order to make sure you get the most out of the Google Juice Bar new opening times have been announced for Saint Line House in Cardiff Bay during May.
There are early morning appointments available from 8am on the 8th, 9th and 10th of May, and evening appointments available between 5pm and 7pm on the 14th, 15th and 16th of May.
New dates have also been announced for regional Juice Bars in Merthyr and Tredegar:
2nd May 2012
VITT Tredegar Business Park
Tredegar
VITT Tredegar Business Park
Tredegar
9th May 2012
The Orbit Centre
The Orbit Centre
Merthyr Tydfil
Google Juice Bar sessions are a way to ask as many questions as you like about growing your business online. Chat with a friendly expert advisor about any aspect of online, from setting up a free website to advanced online marketing.
For more information about the Getting Welsh Business Online Campaign visit www/gbbo.co.uk/wales
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