Getting Your Business Online is Free – No More Excuses!

You just started a business, and, of course, you want the world to know about it. Well, your local world, right?

The telephone directory is slowly becoming extinct, given the “new kid in town” (the Internet) having come on the scene. If you talk to people who are less than 40 years of age, most will tell you they NEVER use the telephone directory any more.

It’s time to get your business found online.

So, you don’t have the funds to have a website just yet? Not to worry, there are two great free options available, and you need to take advantage of both straightaway. They are a Google+ account and a Facebook fan page.

Naturally, Google will rank your Google+ account right up there with your competition. If your competition has not taken advantage of this freebie, then, guess what? Your business will most likely be the ONLY one listed in a search results for your type of business in your area ...and... Google+ includes a map to your business location.

Now how’s that for service?

Google+ offers free header images; however, you will want to customize a header for your business account as soon as possible. You will find a free Photoshop template: https://app.box.com/s/uchpjdz10k46s000qac0 available for your use.

I have seen Facebook fan pages rank on Google page one for a local business; so please, do NOT pass on this option.

You can also get a Facebook fan page header template for free. A PowerPoint template is available too, so you won’t even need to have costly software like Photoshop.

Facebook’s guidelines for your fan page header images (Facebook calls their page header a cover) are posted here: https://www.facebook.com/help/www/276329115767498. Please make sure you read and understand the rules so your account will not become compromised for breaking Facebook’s rules.

NOTE: In talking about using images online, I highly recommend you read Using That Image Could Cost You Dearly!, if you haven’t already.

For those who may still be uncertain about creating header images, whether it is from a lack of skill, or to save the cost of expensive software, I suggest searching for help with this task at websites like fiverr.com and fiversworld.com. You are likely to find highly skilled people to help you create your header images, and in some cases, for as little as $5 US funds! Just make sure they use only images that YOU provide them with, else you could be held liable should they use an image they found in, say, a Google search.

Not all local businesses benefit from a website. Some examples are: hairdresser, barber shop, spa, etc. Even franchised shops may not need their own website, but they ALL need a Google+ account and Facebook fan page, if they want to be found listed in search results for their type of business in their area.

For businesses who can afford their own website, I recommend you purchase your own hosting account from a ‘local to you’ host server. Hosting has become reasonably priced now. When you buy your own hosting, you will own your domain name, and no one will be able to take that away from you.

There are benefits to hosting your website local. Once you have your hosting account set up, you can then hire a website designer to create and manage your website for you, if you wish.

Whether you can or cannot afford a website, getting your business online IS free. So, no more excuses. Create your business Google+ account and Facebook fan page so that potential customers can find your business.