A Small Business Guide to Google's Powerhouse Products

 
Running a business in New Zealand is a unique and rewarding experience, but it also comes with its challenges. Reaching your target audience, managing your online presence, and staying competitive can feel like a constant uphill climb.

Luckily, Google offers a suite of powerful tools designed to help businesses like yours thrive. Let's explore some of the must-haves for New Zealand businesses:

Google Business Profile: Your Digital Shopfront

Think of your Google Business Profile (also known as ‘Google My Business’) as your online welcome mat. It's a must for local SEO (search engine optimisation) and helps customers find you easily. By creating and optimising your profile, you can:
•    Appear in Google Maps: When someone searches for "cafes near me" or "kids bikes Wellington”, it’s your profile that pops up (see image below).
•    Share key information: Address, phone number, website, opening hours, and post updates. 
•    Build trust with reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and influence potential customers.
•    Gain valuable insights: Track how customers are finding your listing and what actions they're taking.

Tip for New Zealand businesses: Make sure your profile accurately reflects your location. Use specific New Zealand addresses and consider including Māori place names where appropriate.

Google Search Console: Your Website's Health Check

Google Search Console generates valuable insights into how Google sees your site. Use it to:
•    Identify technical issues: Find and fix crawling errors, broken links, and other problems that might be hindering your site's performance.
•    Track your search rankings: See which keywords you're ranking for and how your position changes over time.
•    Understand your audience: See which devices people are using to access your site and where they're located.
 

Google Analytics: Know Your Customers

Understanding your website traffic is essential for making informed marketing decisions. Google Analytics provides in-depth data about your website visitors, including:
•    Traffic sources: See where your visitors are coming from (e.g., Google Search, social media, referrals).
•    User behaviour: Understand how visitors interact with your website (e.g., which pages they visit, how long they stay).
•    Conversion tracking: Measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns by tracking conversions (e.g., purchases, form submissions).
 

Google Ads: Reach Your Target Audience

Google Ads allow you to target to specific audiences based on keywords, demographics, and interests. Whether you're running a local promotion or targeting a nationwide audience, Google Ads can help get your message in front of the right people.  Ads come in all shapes and sizes with the most common being: Search, Display, Shopping, Video, and Performance Max.
 

But wait, there's more!

Google Workspace, Trends, Keyword Planner, Tag Manager are just some of the other powerful resources available whether you're a small start-up or a large corporation.
 

Making it Work for You

These Google products work best when used together – like a well-balanced diet. For example, Google Business Profile attracts local customers, Google Search Console to optimise your website, Google Analytics to understand your traffic, and Google Ads to reach a wider audience.

If you’d like support leveraging these Google tools, our Small Business Starter Package will improve your small business digital footprint in spades.