Get Your Business Online Week: New York!

GYBO is on a simple mission, grow America's small businesses by making it fast, free, and easy to get online.

Want to learn how to create effective headers and footers, see the top searches that bring users to your website, or even get your business listed on Google search and Maps?

This week, join thousands of local New York businesses already learning and using these simple, free and effective tools to increase their online presence.

Visit http://www.gybo.com/new-york to get started.

What are customers saying about Google Business View?

Google Maps Business View

Google Maps Photos Business View.

Today Google re-launched its Google Business program. As of today Google Business Photos will be known as Google Business Views. The strategic move aligned Google Business with Street View.The program formally known as Google Business Photos aims at bringing street view capabilities into business facilities. 

Small and large businesses can request 360 degree panoramic pictures of their facilities on Google maps, which allow consumers the ability to view their establishment from their Google Maps application on their mobile devices (IOS, Android) and via a web browser.  You can visit the Page and explore the refresh and clearly defined service that is Google Business View. The new page boast the benefits of the program and highlights the success stories from companies such as Food for Dogs and Leeks. 

As a premier provider of Google Maps Business views in the Tri-State area, Vosmap has positioned itself to bring the benefits of the program to Business owners across New York. To request coverage for your facility, please log on to www.vosmap.com

New York's Premiere Google Business Photos Team Celebrates Success.

On Wednesday December 11, 2013 Vosmap celebrated their memorable two year anniversary. The event was held at AlleyNYC, an entrepreneurial hub, where teams and individuals grow their businesses in a collaborative, supportive environment. 

Sponsoring the event was SquadUp, a comprehensive event planning and funding startup solution. Many thanks to #Alleynyc #SquadUp #Go_Lab

About: Vosmap is an award winning team tasked with expanding Google Business Views. Since 2011, we have helped numerous companies such as auto dealerships, retail stores, and various restaurants gain exposure and visibility on the world's leading mapping system. To learn more about Google Business Photos for your business. Log onto www.vosmap.com

The New Google Maps

The New Google Maps

Google I/O since 2008 has treated developers and average google users to new platforms and tools to aid in their exploration and development of the web. Google I/O 2013 continued this tradition and did not disappoint as it showcased one of Google’s finest features; Google Maps.

The new Google Maps brings new features such as the ability to highlight numerous roads to a specific location, it allows users to find the best local places, explore the world using 3D and 360 degree imagery of various landscapes. The new Google Map has gotten bigger and personal. In addition to providing a unique experiences for uses, Google also made Maps more useful for businesses and other locations.

For a quick view into an auto dealership or a retail space, the new Google Maps will allow users to quickly push inside for indoor photos and 360-degree view right from their browser or smartphone. Businesses can request coverage by contacting their local Street View team.

For more, click on the link below for Google’s two minute video highlighting all of the features the new map.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=THxJHcR1D2c


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About Vosmap: Selected by Google to bring the Street View technology inside Tri-State area businesses, the Vosmap team have helped numerous companies get on the world's largest mapping system. 

McKeon Funeral Home brings users in on Google Maps.

Adorned with retro fitting furnishings and a modern office space, Mckeon Funeral Home is a far cry from the typical neighborhood parlour. Once inside, you quickly realize that the front living room also serves as a communal space for patrons. “Our goal is to meet the needs of our clients so that their needs become our mission," a mantra shared by all of the parlor staff. Without prompting, William T. Curran, Director of the Mckeon Funeral Home, discusses the community impact of the shifting economy and details affordable funeral packages for disenfranchised families with limited resources. Without compromising the personal memorials of the departed, William outlines new cost effective packages that will capture the life, character and milestones of the departed in a professional and distinctive manner.  

Despite the array of quality service offered to the community, William acknowledged the importance of social media. He consulted with local Community Board 7 to inquire about nontraditional marketing strategies to help promote the establishment and was referred to Google Trusted Photographer and Creative Director of Business Live 360 Maureen Erokwu. Introduced to  Google Business Photos, Mckeon Funeral Home quickly adopted Google's newest initiative, becoming the first establishment of its kind in New York to complete the Google Business 360 tour.

Google Business View allows businesses to showcase their establishments and attract new customers by engaging them with an interactive 360 degree tour. Panoramic views simulate consumers and allows them to  explore a space as if they were physically at the location. With the completion of a few identifiable questions on the Google+ Local page, William T. Curran took advantage of this interactive marketing tool to enhance his already successful business. Mckeon Funeral Home transitioned from just another business, to a fixed staple in the Bronx,armed with a new prescription for success. Mckeon Funeral Home is now pleased to invite local residents into it's Google Hosted Virtual Tour.

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Twitter's Changing The GamePlan: What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Twitter is one of the main social media sites used by businesses, big & small, to promote their services & interact with potential customers. Twitter has recently made big changes in their policies & is attempting to launch new programs toward small businesses. Are these moves good for Twitter? Is Twitter the right platform for your small business? Let's get into the details & you decide.

Twitter recently discontinued their relationship with the social media network LinkedIn. An official letter was released by the LinkedIn offices stating that "Starting today Tweets will no longer be displayed on LinkedIn". In the letter, they explain that you can post first on LinkedIn & then 'Share' the post to Twitter, but not vice versa. These changes were made by Twitter since they've been re-developing their strategies. This change is good for (but might upset) those who use the auto-synchronizing option out of laziness & disorganization. As a business owner, you should already know that auto-synchronizing your social media platforms is a no-no; you want each to be unique with the approach by who you're targeting. As for Twitter, this move received mixed reviews. It would have seemed more legitimate if they would have given Facebook the same treatment, however they did not. This is a good strategy for LinkedIn; have you checked out your profile this week? The layout is definitely less focused on Twitter & more on the LinkedIn features. If you use your LinkedIn more often, this change is a win for you.

Switching gears a little, Twitter also started a new program for small business that might benefit you directly. This also received mixed reviews from the small businesses they targeted to test out the program. Twitter has been giving away $100 in free ads to small businesses, allowing them to promote their business across the site. There are pro & cons to investing in these ads:

Pros

• Your business spreads wider than your local community
• Inexpensive 
• Increase profits
• Increase followers

Cons

• If your service is given locally, a wider fan base wouldn't be necessary 
• For some businesses, Twitter ads are an expense that can make them lose money instead of gain
• Your tweets can be directed towards consumers that have no interest in your business

The two biggest points would be: (1) if your business is locally-based (plumber, nail salon, mom & pop store), these ads are not you. (2) You have to decide if the investment is within your budget (you do have a budget, right?). It worked for some, not so much for others. 

Does your company need to tweet-tweet? 

- Shantavia Thomas