Your Web Presence | How to get on Google

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You’ve done it!

Your doors are open, you’re doing business, you have a new, beautiful website…but wait! No one can find you on Google.

*SCREECH!*

Stop what you are doing and Google your business!

We’ll wait…

 

Are you on Google? Can customers find you?

If the answer is no – this blog will teach you how to get on Google!

If the answer is yes – have you claimed your business? We’ll tell you how to claim your business profile and how to update your information!

 

One of the biggest mistakes of all small businesses, is they haven’t created and/or claimed their Google listing. You may have the coolest, most unique business on the planet, but if no one can find you, it’s impossible to survive. The best part?  Getting your business listed on Google is FREE!

 

No need to pay extra to get your name in internet lights…we’ll show you the very simple steps to get the most out of your google listing.

 

How to get a Google Listing:

If you are not on Google, at all or if you cannot find a business listing after a thorough search, you need to create one.  Here are some simple steps on how to do that:

  • 1 – Create a Gmail account for your business (this is NOT a personal account.)
    • Type into the search bar in Google: Gmail.com
    • If you already have a Gmail account, but need one for your business, click on your picture or icon at the very top, right of the page. Then click on “add” or the plus (+) sign.
    • Click on “Sign In”
    • Click on “Create an Account”
  • It is VERY important that all of the information you enter here is for your business. Enter your business information and phone number as directed.  If you are the business owner, you can enter your own birthdate.  Your business phone – is what Google will use to verify it is your business. Make sure you are ready to answer the phone number you list.

 

  • 2 – Create your Business in Google: Once you have a Gmail address for your business, you are ready to complete the other required information.

 

  • Go to the top of the page and click on the set of 9 dots. (3 across, 3 down). That will open all of the Google apps.
  • Click on the little house icon that says “Business Profile”
  • Click on “Add your business”
  • Google will walk you through the process and will offer the option of sending a postcard to your business to verify, or to call the business, giving you a special code that will verify the business.  Pick the option that is best for you. You will be entering the Google verification code to claim your business profile.

 

You found yourself on Google!  Now what?

If you found your business on Google, congratulations!  Now let’s make sure your information is correct.  Time to claim your profile.

 

If you haven’t told Google that you own the business, or if you have incorrect information, you’ll need to let Google know.  Here’s how:

  • On the Google listing, there is a place to “Claim your listing” click on that and follow directions.
  • If you see a place that says: “Own this business?” And you don’t think you’ve claimed it, or if the information is wrong, click on that tab. A box will pop up and tell you if it has been already claimed.  More than likely, you haven’t claimed your business yet, and you’ll follow the steps to do so.

 

Now that your Google Listing is Claimed:

Fill in the missing information!

Go back to the little house and click on your business.  You’ll want to fill this out as much as possible. Some key things you really need to enter there:

  • Business address
  • Hours of business
  • Location (double check that they have it mapped correctly)
  • Add in your website if you have one
  • The correct main phone number
  • Biography of the business – just a short summary of what you provide
  • Menu (if you are a restaurant)

 

Google offers tips and tricks (as well as their guidelines) that will help you show off your business to the world!  Here is a handy link: Google Guidelines for your Business:

 

PRO-TIP for getting “seen” on the web:

A bonus tip: One of the added perks to being on Google is to ask for reviews. The “bots” in Google love to see reviews!  The more you have, the more likely you are to show up on Google without paying extra for AdWords or other Google offerings. Ask customers to leave a review for your business.

Google will notify you that you’ve gotten a review.  Don’t forget to click on the review in your Gmail and thank the reviewer.

 

 

For additional information regarding Google, how to represent your business on line and how to claim your Google profile, please contact us at the Small Business Development Center – SBDC – Serving Paris area:  Lamar, Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, and Red River counties.

Online Networking in the New Normal

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Remember networking events?

Pre-COVID, we all attended them – some of us embracing the events – looking forward to seeing familiar faces and chatting with friends in the small business industry. Others may have found them a bit painful and cheesy, hoping to make new business friends, but dreading the process.  Maybe you attended a networking event and found it really wasn’t as bad as you thought and actually had a good time, met new people, and networked like a pro.

In 2020 we were all thrown into the COVID shut down and suddenly, individuals discovered they really missed those networking events!  While some of us are back to networking the “old fashioned way” in person and probably in a mask. Others have expanded their online networking presence and have found it to be extremely beneficial to their business.

 

Networking in the “New Normal”

I know – we’re all tired of hearing that term, “the new normal,” but it does explain where we are in business, in relation to the Pandemic. Out of necessity, and the lack of in-person networking opportunities, COVID helped shape and refine online marketing and networking. Online platforms like Zoom meetings, Skype, Webex and Go To Meeting, became the new, edgy, and fun way to network. Businesses got creative, hosting networking classes, meet-n-greets, and even cocktail hours – all online. Other websites expanded and began to offer more networking capabilities, all aimed at growing business and creating meaningful business and personal contacts.

 

Which websites are best for networking?

We’ve all heard ads that end with “Follow us on Facebook” or “Trending on Twitter.” The choices of social media platforms can be endless.  It may seem impossible to get on every type of social media, but there are some you should consider essential.  Not only will a presence on these websites help your business, but they will also help your networking capabilities. Here is a short list of the most popular social networking websites for businesses:

  • Facebook: Probably the most popular of social networks. Facebook currently has 2.7 Billion active users.
  • LinkedIn: Long considered the network for professionals, LinkedIn boasts 800 million users.
  • Twitter: Twitter users have 200-million users and a younger demographic than Facebook.
  • Instagram: 1 billion active users per month pop onto Instagram.
  • YouTube: 2 billion active users either post videos or watch them on YouTube.

 

Before you join a social media network – know your demographics:

Maybe your small business would like to attract and sell to the teenagers with disposable income (or large allowances.) Or perhaps you would like to focus on the older, professional, executive customers. Each business is unique and not every social media platform is “necessary.” For instance: you shouldn’t turn your initial focus to getting an Instagram account up and running if you are marketing to older 50-something professionals. However, if you want to sell your super cute kitten leggings to the 13 to 18 year old’s – Snapchat, Instagram and even TikTok may be your “go to” social media platform.

 

Breakdown of social media demographics:

Use the following chart to plan where you should network, based on the ages of social media users:

Website Name Age Demographic Number of Users
Facebook 35% globally are men 18-34

24% globally are women 18-34

*It is important to note that 85% of all of Facebook’s users are from outside the US and Canada

 2.74 Billion
LinkedIn 60% are ages 25-34

19% are ages 19-24

51% have a college degree – or above

75% are from outside the US

 800 Million
Twitter 37% are ages 18-29

25% are ages 30-49

 200 Million
Instagram 59% are ages 18-29

33% are age 30-49

68% are female and 90% of all users are under age 35

 1 Billion
YouTube Has a fairly even use-distribution across all age groups. 2.3 Billion
WhatsApp 27% are age 26-35

19% are age 15-25

20% are age 36-45

17% are age 46-55

 2 Billion
TikTok 25% are age 10-19

22.4% are age 20-29.

21.7% are age 30-39.

20.3% are 40-49

 1 Billion
SnapChat 50% are under 25

37% are age 26-34

2% are over age 55

 498 Million
Pinterest 38% are age 50-64

34% are age 30-49

32% are age 18-29

 442 Million

 

I’m on social media, now what?

The primary reason to join social media platforms is to advertise your small business and to network with fellow business people not only in your immediate area, but across the globe. Here area few simple things to do, now that you’ve taken the leap onto a few social media platforms:

  • Ask: You guessed it, ask people to follow you on Facebook. Each social media platform offers the opportunity to engage with fellow businesses and associates. Send out those friend requests and ask people to follow you.
  • Advertise: Post the name, location, logo and hours of your business.
  • Like: Like other business posts, follow other businesses and look for companies or individuals who compliment your business.
  • Follow: Follow other businesses and individuals who can help promote or compliment your own business.
  • Look around: Take a look at your competition – see who they follow, what they are posting and maybe even collaborate with them to promote both businesses.

 

Online Networking in the new normal can be fun, interesting, and actually a lot easier and less time-consuming than the one-on-one networking events of the past. With online networking, you can reach more people, more often. You can expand both your business contacts and your customer base. The best part? Most social media sites are free to join!  Get out there!  It’s worth the time investment!

 

For additional information regarding online networking in the new normal, and how to expand your small business’s social media, please contact us at the Small Business Development Center – SBDC – Serving Paris area:  Lamar, Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, and Red River counties.

How to Grow Global Sales in 2022

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If your business has products or a service that can be marketed and sold beyond the boundaries of the U.S., then expansion into developing international markets may bring the possibility of new growth and profits for your company.

Gary is a gym shark living in a small-town in the USA. Nearly every day you can find him lifting weights, sprinting laps in the pool or joining in a yoga class, notably the same days when Sheila the other gym shark works out. He wasn’t always this energetic though. One day he invented an energy food bar with a secret ingredient and soon his workouts looked like a wild hare bouncing around on spring coils. Everyone in his local community wanted that kind of energy. So, he registered his secret recipe and began selling his bars. The business grew into a nationwide sensation. With interest from developing markets in other countries, it was time to consider going global.

 

What are global sales?

Global sales are transactions that take place outside the country in the international marketplace.

Depending upon demand, if Gary were to successfully begin selling his energy bars in Europe, Asia or Australia, his global expansion would be realized.

 

Why would I be interested in growing my sales world-wide?

World-wide growth can potentially generate new avenues for sales and profits.

Online sales for example, customers spent nearly $4.9 trillion dollars in 2020, up from $3.46 trillion from the year before.

There are various ways a business can grow into a global company. Depending on the size and customer fulfillment volume, business should consider the following:

  • Online orders from the company’s home base. This would require logistics for international shipments for either single parcel or bulk shipping.
  • Exporting and Licensing. Exporting allows a business to establish their brands and products in foreign markets with little or no direct investment in each country. A service-oriented business may find this option more challenging unless the services they perform are over the internet. Licensing allows a foreign company to sell and market your brand in their country.
    • This may require creating strategic partnerships, a wholly owned subsidiary or multi-national expansion where the product is produced and distributed from another country.
  • Source a hybrid marketplace such as an Amazon, Costco or Walmart that sell their own inventory and offer a platform through which other retailers can sell their products in other countries.

 

How can I manage costs if I’m shipping globally?

For Gary to ship his gym shark bars the best option appears to be direct to customer via a global carrier like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. However, after striking fame and employing half the small town, the company has expanded into sports equipment, clothing and a special yoga mat designed by Sheila. His shipping needs have changed. A few options to consider are:

  • Air freight:
    • Expedited or next day out freight will likely have the highest premiums. For shark bars with an expiration date this may make sense.
    • Consolidated where cargo is grouped together with other manufactured products and shipped when the container is full. This is a slower and more cost-effective method better for bulk orders shipped to fulfillment centers or distributors.
    • Deferred or low priority shipments that are placed on planes when space becomes available. This is best for non-time sensitive shipments and may be the least costly.
  • Ocean shipping:
    • Containers shipped across sea are 20-40 feet and usually charged a flat rate. While cost effective, shipping time can be slowed greatly and there are risks with reliability such as weather and rough seas.
    • Recent side-effects of the pandemic have brought shipping containers to a complete standstill, waiting to be offloaded. Make sure you know if your container will take months to arrive at its intended destination.

 

What regulations should I be aware of with global sales?

Each country has differing regulations, taxes, and compliance issues to consider. They are constantly changing. The following are a few ways to plans for global sales and regulations:

  • Hire or consult an experienced compliance-centered broker to help with bonds, duties, international freight filings and other complex processing.
  • Employ experienced and well-trained staff.
  • Prioritize documentation to avoid costly delays.
  • Understand compliance fines. Many of these are due to improper valuation, classification, and misunderstanding of trade agreements.

 

Keeping my “US base” happy while expanding world-wide:

To lose core customers by overextending the company into the global market and slowing customer fulfillment at home can be catastrophic. Always remember to grow at a pace the business can handle. Even with a financial backer, all the money in the world will not keep a business alive without consumer spending. Some things to implement include:

  • Hire when necessary.
  • Prioritize key sales regions that generate the highest profit.
  • Head off any foreseeable issues. Many times, a call ahead of an issue will salvage an otherwise lost relationship.
  • Prepare to deal with the emotional side of customers.
  • Use customer feedback to shape future problem solving.

 

Need more information? Paris SBDC can give you ideas and expert advice on how to grow your sales globally. Let us help you understand how and when to expand your business and “Go Global.” Contact Paris SBDC today!

 

For additional information on going global while keeping your at-home customers happy, please contact us at the Small Business Development Center – SBDC – Serving Paris area:  Lamar, Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, and Red River counties.

 

Business Planning Calendar for 2022

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Benjamin Franklin once said: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”.

Growing a small business is important. A key factor for consistent and healthy growth is yearly planning. A good way to start a new plan is by analyzing the past year and determine the company’s strengths and weaknesses. After which, hold a brainstorming session involving team members and discuss what things you would like to achieve for the upcoming year.

A fun option is to take a company trip to a location where the planning event can take place. This may also be a tax-deductible expense. You can also combine it with team building and make it a pleasant “perk” for employees. Be sure to leave “Negative Nancy” at home, however. Or let her/him know that this is a positive-thoughts-only trip. And yes, we all have one of those employees; it’s best to address negative attitudes early.

 

What is a business planning calendar?

Think of a yearly business calendar like a roadmap of what your company plans to do and the goals you would like to achieve for the next year. Make it simple. Break down the calendar into monthly goals and then quarterly goals. Be sure to create a visual chart or calendar so it can be reviewed daily on a desktop image or a physical chart on the wall. These reminders help to keep the focus on your goals.

 

What should be on my Calendar for my business in 2022?

There are many things that can be useful on a business calendar from travel to tradeshows and events to marketing schedules. However, there are three main categories that should be considered:

  • Marketing Plan:
    • Create a list of your ideal customers and how to target them.
    • What makes your company unique compared to other companies and how is this exceptionality communicated to your target customer?
    • Develop a marketing message that speaks to your experience and reputation.
    • Set a budget of how much you will spend on marketing activities based on what each activity costs, who it targets, when and how often you plan to spend.
    • Track the results. This can be achieved with a spreadsheet or one of the many business planning apps available in the marketplace.

 

  • Financial plan and budget:
    • Base your marketing plan on history. After analyzing the previous year, determine the successful expenditures and project what you would like to spend each month moving forward. This should give a good sense of the cash flow needed for the year.

 

  • Operational improvement plans – Consider the following items and list ways to improve the company’s operations:
    • Marketing: Develop a team to share the company’s vision and message.
    • Sales: The key to cash flow is sales. Educate and motivate staff to improve sales.
    • Customer fulfilment: Efficiency in delivering goods or services is an important goal to customer fulfilment.
    • Customer satisfaction: If developing loyal customers seems arduous, losing them can be worse. Set out a plan of how to keep your base and how to grow it.
    • Leadership and organizational management: Evaluate your workforce. Maybe it’s time for “Negative Nancy” to retire or resign. A strong business requires well-organized leaders willing to cut ties with no-productive areas of the business.
    • Cash flow management including inventory, cost of goods, expenses, and travel.
    • Back-office management of accounting, data management, reporting, receivables, etc.

 

Make time for social media platforms:

Now is the time to be the media maven or social influencer you’ve always wanted to be.

As an important part of the planning process, budgeting time for social media platforms requires consistency. This can also be part of the company’s advertising campaigns.  Goals for this should include are:

  • Increase shares of voice with daily posts and repeat, repeat, repeat.
  • Gain new followers: Never fear asking people to take interest in the company and what you do.
  • Drive traffic to your website through fun, educational or interesting posts.
  • Generate new leads through low-cost ads that reach a broad audience.
  • Grow community engagement and develop loyalty. Again, repetition is the key.
  • Allocate customer support requests through FAQ’s on your website.

 

Allow for flexibility:

There is nothing like a crisis to test one’s creativity and perseverance.

Maybe Negative Nancy has a secret passion to be the face of social media and networking and according to her millions of Pinterest followers, she is good at it. Being flexible is about making changes and adapting to unforeseeable events that influence our environment. With a little recognition and redirection Nancy could be your best asset. I’m sure she would agree, and it may be beneficial to use her social media talents.

 

Plan for effectiveness

  • Define your business concept: A vision statement is an aspirational declaration of what you want to achieve in the future.
  • Create your mission: This is how you plan to achieve your vision.
  • Set your goals: These objectives are measured results achieved by persons or a system in a specific timeframe.
  • Develop a plan: This is a long-term strategy that helps you reach the company’s goals.
  • Define your approach: This is the methodology as to what your business will do to execute its plan.
  • Get down to business: Use tactics focused on initiatives, projects or programs that allow the business to carry out the strategic plan.

 

Need more resources and information on planning for 2022? Paris SBDC can give you ideas and expert advice on how to properly plan and execute your calendar for 2022. Let us help you with your small business planning needs. Contact Paris SBDC today!

 

 

For additional resources and information on planning to succeed in 2022, please contact us at the Small Business Development Center – SBDC – Serving Paris area:  Lamar, Hunt, Hopkins, Delta, and Red River counties.