Three Google must-have tools for websites
My personal favourite Google tool is Google Analytics, covered in a previous post. But Google offers many valuable tools for website owners. Here are three more “must-have” tools:
- Google AdWords is an application which may improve the effectiveness of your web site (not free – you pay a fee and you’ll need a Google account which is free). The essence of this strategy, according to Google is, “You (or your webmaster) creates ads and chooses keywords, which are words or phrases related to your business. When people search on Google using one of your keywords, your ad may appear next to the search results. Now you are advertising to an audience which is already interested in you. Visitors can simply click on your ad to visit your website. Don’t worry about costs – AdWords puts you in complete control of your spending. There’s no minimum spending requirement – the amount you pay for AdWords is up to you. You can, for instance, set a daily budget of five dollars and a maximum cost of ten cents for each click on your ad. We provide keyword traffic and cost estimates so you can make informed decisions about choosing keywords and maximizing your budget. You’re charged only if someone clicks your ad, not when your ad is displayed.” For more information about Google AdWords, visit their web site at: http://adwords.google.com/
- Google AdSense can be considered the opposite of Google AdWords (again you’ll need a Google account which is free). According to Google, AdSense is “The flexible, hassle-free way to earn revenue online. Web site owner get paid for displaying targeted Google ads on your site. You can customize ads to match your site’s look and feel. You can track your success with online reports. It’s Free! With AdSense, you’ll pay nothing, spend little time on set-up, and have no maintenance worries.” For more information about Google AdSense, visit their web site at: https://www.google.com/adsense/www/en_US/tour/index.html
- Google Website Optimizer is a free website testing and optimization tool, which according to Google “Allows you to increase the value of your existing websites and traffic without spending a cent. Using Website Optimizer to test and optimize you web site’s content and design, you can quickly and easily increase revenue and ROI whether you’re new to marketing or an expert.” For more information about Google Website Optimizer, visit their web site at: http://www.google.com/websiteoptimizer.
We highly recommend that you begin to utilize the above Google marketing tools (or other competitive applications available) to measure the effectiveness of your website. You should also be measuring and evaluating all the human, financial and physical resources you are investing in your website to ensure they are bringing you the best ROI (return on investment).
We invite you to comment below on your experience with the above-mentioned Google tools. Or, offer suggestions for other such tools which have helped you to measure the effectiveness of your website.
