I am a google junkie. It is another one of those words that is a noun and a verb! Here are a few reasons you should become a google junkie also.

Google Documents
Google has created several ways to create documents that can be edited from any web browser. Google docs can be used to create customer questionnaires, surveys, pattern illustrations, and many other types of forms. Google documents can easily be added to your website. To read more, go to docs.google.com

Google Images
Do you have a newsletter deadline looming? Stumped what clip art to use? Visit google images for tons of free images. Many of the images are copyright free, but please do not use the ones that have restrictions.

The following two items I encourage every shop owner to spend a few minutes checking out.

Google Maps
With the summer vacation season starting, you will want to make sure you are represented on Google Maps.
Using your business phone number, google adds you to the biggest yellow pages in the world. It doesn’t stop there. Add your website, store hours, pictures and videos. If you are offering children’s sewing or quilting classes be sure and post that in your description. How many moms will be looking for things to keep the young ones entertained this summer? This is a great way for potential customers to learn more about you and what you have to offer. This is FREE! FREE! FREE! and takes about 15 minutes.

Google Alerts
I have talked about this before but it bears repeating. Have you ever wondered what people are saying about you and your store? Google Alerts will find out for you. When you create a google alert, you select the keywords that you want to be included. The keywords could be anything from the name of your store, our own name, etc. Each time it appears on the web, google will send an e-mail with a link to the mention. Alerts include web entries, blog posts, news articles and consumer reviews. I have my alerts to come once a day in one e-mail per topic. You can quickly scan the posts to stay on top of what is being said about your store.
Alerts are available for any topic. Do you have a favorite designer? Set up an alert for them.

I have a google alert for Quilt Market. This allows me to keep up with all the new things happening before during and after Quilt market. You may have an event that happens in your area, for example Outdoor quilt show, add that to your google alerts and  watch the buzz. I even have a google alert set up for myself. I have an usual spelling so I thought my name would be a rarity. There is at least one other Lissa Alexander. She is much more prolific with her words than I am. I now  know there is someone else that spells their name with 2-s’s.

These are just a few of the many Google tools to implement for your business.

How many times have you said, “Just google it?”