Google gives a Boost to small businesses

This week Google announced a new online advertising solution to help local businesses connect with potential customers in their area. Google Boost enables business owners to easily create online search ads from directly within their Google Places account, with automated ongoing management. Boost is initially being beta tested in the US in San Francisco, Houston and Chicago.

Boost ads will appear in the “Sponsored Links” section of Google and Google Maps search result pages. As well as basic info like your company name, address, phone number and website, your ad can also include the number of reviews you’ve received, an average star rating and a link to your Google Place page to help potential customers find additional useful information about your business.

Research shows that 97% of people conduct research online before buying locally – demonstrating the need for small business owners to consider local online marketing activity to reach both new and existing customers.

Check out http://goo.gl/b7tq for more