If you haven’t really taken the time to use Google+, I encourage you to do so and here’s why.

I’ve been spending a lot of time on Google+ lately. I’ve always loved the way that Google products streamline together, both on my computers and phone. Adding Google+ seems to tie it all together nicely.

Streamlining products is not a new idea. Both AOL and Yahoo did the same thing with streamlining email, documents, pictures, messengers, groups and communities, all together in one place. But it’s a new time now! The Web has evolved to allow more possibilities. Now Google’s social network gives many of its users a new perspective on community, while providing more of the platform that geeks have been using in user groups all along.

Google+ is a social network environment that gives universal control over WHAT you share, WHERE and WHO you share too, using Circles. Having the ability to separate your business, family, friends and special areas of interest, is really what it’s all about. The security controls are up front and YOU decide.
Sharing information based on interest is a valuable tool. Especially for business. If you want to be busy, you need to be out there. You can setup your business pages on Google+. Post news and promotions to those who add you to their Circles, enhancing your web exposure.

Having a Google account is necessary to do anything Google anyway. There are other useful tools within Google as a Business Owner. Webmaster or Website Owner, These tools include:

- Google Analytics
- Google Adwords
- Google Webmaster Tools
- Google Places
- and more…

It’s hard not to plug Google so much, but what can say. I love innovation and Google is streamlining tasks into one place even more now with Google+. This is a great place to start gaining some control over your own results.

Yes, we design good looking websites.  But you cannot attract traffic to your website just because it’s “looking good”.  Your website needs to be smart too.  Developing the right content is first, or people may never see how good looking your website really is!

Developing content is the task of providing key information about a product or service that will be found by those who are searching for it.  You can be very creative in looking for ways to generate traffic to your website with the use of social media today, all of which can lead back to your website.  But the content should define what people are searching for.

Do you have smart content?

So often while doing analysis on a website redesign, we discover the original content is too general to achieve a high search engine ranking.  In some cases the original content was just pulled from a brochure or other printable media.  The terms used are not specific enough to be easily found.  Often the contents from printed media are missing important details that need to be on your website.  These details may have been left to a sales person that would voice the specific information to the customer.  The detail that we are truly looking for needs to be developed.

The bottom line for the best SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is exactly that!  “The bottom line”.  Let’s say your company makes and sells bolts. We need to be specific about your bolts and target those you intend to sell your bolts too. What kind of bolt is it?  What is it used for?  Who would use it?  Why would I need this bolt? and how can I buy this bolt?  The answers to these questions are the ingredients we are looking for when developing smart website content.

We help our clients in gathering what is needed to get the best possible search ranking and work all of this into a new design.  The design that will attract and generate traffic cannot be a design of just good looks, but should be a smart design too.

First 10,000 fans get a signed shirt at the door!

Design is important. I have a passion for building clean, interactive and usable websites but whenever possible I will not sacrifice SEO for sake of design. I’ve talked with too many people who have a website that looks great, but does nothing for them. When hiring a website developer, you should make sure of these things before you worry about the “look” of your website:

• The developer knows the importance of search engine optimization. SEO should be brought up multiple times in your first meeting or conversation.
• The developer plans to code the site in standards-compliant HTML and CSS. In addition to other benefits, standards-compliant code ensures that search engines will be able to “read” the content of your website.
• The developer knows how to use tags, keywords and content placement to improve your search engine results. Ask for specific examples of how he or she will implement SEO strategies.

Only after you have your search engine optimization bases covered should you be thinking about the design of your new website. Good, interactive design is important to to engage your customers, but search engine optimization will help you to attract new business.

Two of the more popular social networking websites with small business benefits are LinkedIn and Twitter. LinkedIn is focused on your professional career or business accomplishments, while Twitter is more personal while still harboring many business resources. Below are four ways that you can use social networking websites to improve your business:

1. Increase Your Internet Exposure

Perhaps the most simple benefit of social networking is the exposure you or your company can gain just by being a part of one or many networking websites. Logically, if your business is referenced in many places on the internet, more people are likely to find it. Make sure to link to your business website – backlinks will help search engines find, index and rank your website higher.

2. Create New Connections

As soon as you sign up to a social networking website, you have the potential to connect with everyone else who has already signed up on the same service. LinkedIn, for example, has millions of professional and business users in all areas of the world. Imagine the possibility for growing your business or business knowledge. Think of a social network like a web: if you connect to a contact in your industry, you likely have access to everyone that he has previously connected with. Social networking can be a very easy way to grow your list of professional contacts.

3. Learn From Your Peers

Twitter can be an amazing resource for someone interested in learning more about the business that they are in. I have read daily guides, articles and thoughts about web development from some of the top web developers in the world just by following them on Twitter. I can honestly say that I am a much better web developer because of some of the things that I have read and learned thanks to other professional users. Twitter is not limited to web development; check it out and you will likely find useful information from interesting people in your field.

4. Keep Your Customers Close

This one is obvious – if your customers have constant access to you through a social network, they are more likely to stay your customers. Repeat business is important to nearly all small business owners. Be available for constant interaction with your previous customers, and you will be surprised how often they return or refer others to your product or service.

These guidelines should help you open up to some ways that social networking can help your business. Social networking is a growing luxury for business owners that may soon be a necessity as more and more people sign up for professional reasons. If you haven’t yet, get started now and gain another advantage over your competition!