SmallBusinessNewz

Let's not be mistaken. Google is an incredible tool to get customers to find your business. There's no question about that. Some might spend so much time worrying about Google, however, that they overlook other areas of the Internet that can be just as helpful in attracting customers.

Social Media

Social Media as I'vd discussed several times can be a tremendous business tool if you know how to utilize it properly. Giving your business a presence across a variety of social networks and maintaining a consistent brand are imperative to earning business this way.

You must take care of your profile pages, however and always stay involved in each community. Participate in discussions and don't just give a sales pitch.

Other Search Engines

Believe it or not, there are other search engines to think about besides Google. You may have heard a little news story about Microsoft buying Yahoo. This is huge. Some think that together, these two entities will even be able to overtake Google in search engine domination. That is yet to be seen, but let's not rule out the importance of being found on Microsoft's Live search and Yahoo's search. It's not like these two weren't relevant before anyway. Then of course there's Ask, and a plethora of lesser-known search engines out there. Why not take the time to make sure your business can be found in as many as possible?

Amazon/eBay

Many businesses have set up stores via eBay and/or Amazon. Depending on if this strategy fits you business or not, you may want to consider one or both of these options. These are two sites that are frequently used as starting points by potential customers, meaning that instead of going to Google to search for an item, often times, a potential customer will go straight to Amazon or eBay, so having a presence at these places can only increase your chances of making sales.

Think about other sites that consumers often start at when using the Internet to shop. Do you have a presence there if possible? If not, you may want to consider the business it is costing you. What are some other examples of popular starting points?