Google simplifies YouTube ad creation for SMBs
The new workflow is now available globally on mobile and desktop.
Topic: Small and medium enterprises
The greatest hits from Google Marketing Livestream, plus Microsoft Advertising’s new ads and social management pilot; Friday’s daily brief
New features are available in Google Ads for local businesses, travel, and more.
Microsoft Advertising announces Unified Smart: A single management solution for multi-channel paid advertising and social media
The solution will not charge management or service fees or commissions. Businesses will only pay for their ad spend.
Google Ads mobile app adds custom and performance insights notifications
The updates can help advertisers keep tabs on the metrics that are important to them and notify them of significant performance changes.
Google Ads and SMBs: How to drive results on a low budget
A low ad budget doesn't have to mean minimal results. SMBs with spend under $5,000 can use these tips to improve their conversions.
Technology saving retail businesses from going under
Retailers need to up their game to thrive in today's environment. Here's how to apply technology to better serve customers' needs.
Hijacked Google My Business listings appear to be a growing problem
GMB listings phishing is on the increase. Google says it's aware of the problem but business owners must be vigilant.
CallRail’s Lead Center is a virtual phone system and contact center for SMBs
The platform builds on the company's call tracking and analytics capabilities.
Holiday 2020 is do or die for many SMBs
Small businesses need to focus their marketing on key consumer sites, especially Google, for survival into 2021.
Microsoft’s Digital Marketing Center for search and social management adds features, opens beta
The free platform is now open to U.S. small businesses.
Facebook Business Suite is a new cross-app management tool for SMBs
Seeks to bring simplicity and centralized control to content management on Facebook and Instagram.
Yelp’s updated ‘Request a Quote’ and new ‘Nearby Jobs’ provide lead-gen for SMBs
No longer merely a 'review site,' Yelp repositioning as a 'one-stop local platform' to communicate and transact with local businesses.
Google now enables GMB profile edits from Search and Maps [updated]
The company is seeking more SMB engagement by making updates easier and more accessible.
COVID-19 is the asteroid that struck American small business
Billions will be lost to digital marketing if SMBs close their doors.
Google offering ‘upgraded’ GMB profile with Google Guaranteed badge for $50 per month
Google tested the idea of subscription-based services for GMB in April 2019.
Google positioned to dominate the ‘O2O economy’
Online-to-offline: Nearly $12 trillion in offline economic activity is likely impacted by the internet.
Google upgrades enterprise messaging capabilities in Maps and Search
Enhanced features include smart replies, visual product carousels, custom welcome messages.
Google to shutter CallJoy, virtual agent for SMBs, on July 22
Call intelligence service was another Area 120 project.
Microsoft launches a free Search and Social campaign management platform for SMBs
Digital Marketing Center powers both organic social media and ad campaigns across Microsoft, Google, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Google Assistant may start calling businesses to confirm in-stock inventory
Google is expanding the use cases of its 'Duplex' AI tool.
3 questions SMBs should ask to maximize their COVID-19 Google Ads credit
Your business got a Google Ads credit to spend this year, now what? Before you spend it, consider these questions first.
Google Ads credits for SMBs start rolling out
The $340 million program will phase in over the coming weeks.
Let’s hope COVID-19 isn’t a ‘mass extinction event’ for small businesses
SMBs spend billions annually on digital advertising and marketing services.
Shopify launches post-COVID POS, Yelp rolls out omnichannel tools for SMBs
The companies are part of a shift toward deeper integration between online and offline operations.
SMB ad credits: Google adds clarity around eligibility, timing
Part of Google's response to the COVID-19 crisis, the ad credits will start rolling out in late May.
Facebook rolls out hours and services update for COVID-19 communications
There are a number of ways to communicate virus-related updates to customers on the platform.
Google pledges $340 million in Google Ads credits for SMBs
The credits will be available for eligible active advertisers "in the coming months." It is also expanding ad grants for COVID-19 public service announcements.
Coronavirus: Emarketer lowers global ad spend projections for 2020
The revised model assumes business will bounce back in the second-half of the year -- and that the Summer Olympics will go on.
Google buys Pointy to bring SMB store inventory online
The company offers an elegant solution to the challenge of getting local merchant inventory into search results and ads.
Local business study finds 0% of site traffic coming from email, paid media
Are small businesses not using email or digital advertising? The 'Google Analytics for Local Businesses Study' looked at 11K local businesses.
CallJoy, Google’s virtual phone agent for SMBs, gets an upgrade
The service is Google's first real foray into SaaS for SMBs.
Achieving 3.7 Google My Business rating stars delivers highest conversion boost, study finds
Replying to a third of reviews may increase conversions by 80% for enterprise locations.
Revenge of the small business website
VC investments in Wordpress' parent and Duda, plus a new Yahoo website offering, show that SMB sites are still big business.
Search used when brands are unknown, but it’s direct navigation for existing customers
A new survey from Yext explores what content sources are more trusted and what's at stake in not paying enough attention to third party platforms.
AI for small business is no longer an option. It’s a necessity.
There has been no better time in history for small, disruptive businesses to win big. They just need to be smart.
Why is there so little innovation in local?
The alpha and omega of local is now Google.
Analysis of SMB site builders finds connection between vendor and rankings
WP Engine, Squarespace perform well, market-leader Wix does not.
Only 30% of SMBs would recommend their current SEO provider, survey finds
Those who spent $500 or more per month were likely to be happier, but the survey still finds low satisfaction with the industry overall.
Survey: More consumers trust accuracy of SMB websites over Google My Business
BrightLocal also found an overwhelming consumer preference for phone calls vs. other channels such as email and messaging.
Google bringing call intelligence and automation to SMBs, for $39 per month
The virtual agent builds upon existing technology and represents a new direction in local monetization for Google.