ACtion Magazine - March 2013 - (Page 16)

Angie Kilbourne, AAM No more excuses Still don’t have a website? Think it’s too expensive or too complicated? Google’s “Get Your Business Online” program is designed to tear down those obstacles. When talking with automotive repair shop owners, I always ask, “Do you have a website?” I like to gauge an audience’s comfort level with technology. But I’m not surprised to hear, “No, we can’t afford a website,” or “I don’t understand the Internet.” Too many shop owners today still shy away from a huge audience of potential customers and one of the greatest marketing tools available to them — all for the wrong reasons. That’s why I was happy to find this gem tucked away on Google’s company blog: The search giant’s “Get Your Business Online” program helps small business owners launch a website with minimal investment. And it’s Google, so it’s going to have a user-friendly interface and tools that help relieve the anxiety some people feel when using new technology. For an investment of zero dollars (that’s right, zero), any small business can register a domain, build a website and get no-charge hosting for one year. Google tested this program in Texas, back in the summer of 2011. It was a great success there with small businesses, and for the next 12 months, 16 ACTION • March 2013 Google took its show on the road to the rest of the country — month to month, state by state — working with partners such as Score, Intuit and 500 additional local organizations. More than 20,000 small businesses attended the Get Your Business Online events across the nation, and at press time, more than 300,000 businesses have joined the program. No strings attached It’s important to note that you really don’t have to make any kind of investment here, aside from your time. When signing up, you are asked for a credit card, but you don’t have to provide the information if you aren’t ready to commit beyond the first year. The only requirements are that the business must be located in the United States, and you must have a Google account. You can get a free Google account by visiting http:// google.com/accounts. What you will get is a fully functional website, provided by Intuit; a customized domain name (www.yourcompanyname.com); free website hosting for a year; and great support, including 24/7 lessons and tutorials, Reader Reply http://google.com/accounts http://google.com/accounts http://www.yourcompanyname.com http://www.macsw.org/MACS/Publications/ACtion_Reader_Reply/MACS/Publications/ACTION/ACtion_Reader_Reply.aspx?hkey=ac24bddb-c045-442a-813c-cbf05f88ac4d

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - March 2013

ACtion Magazine - March 2013
Contents
Outlook
In Bin
Freeze Frame
Under the Southern Cross
Leonard’s Law
Virtual View
News & Updates
Managing the Heat
Delphi Restores 1954 Pontiac Star Chief With First ‘Front Mounted A/C System’
Replacement Actuator Motor Cautions From HeaterTreater
Association News
In Memorium
Quick Check
New Products & Services
Last Watch

ACtion Magazine - March 2013