Introducing the Webmaster Academy

Are you SMBs ready to get back to college? Google has made finding information on how to get your site up, running, & ranked in the dominate search engine by listing your needs in a syllabus-like platform in their new Webmaster Academy. Finding information on how to run your SMB & understanding the terminology can get a little stressful so Google made it simpler for you to find all your needs. The new Webmaster Academy is, "designed to walk business owners through the information they need to get their site up and running in easy to understand steps," says Garen Checkly from the Google Support Quality Team. The Academy covers topics such as:

• Adding your site to Webmaster page 
• Using Google + (everyone needs one of these by now)
• What makes great content
• How to get online free
• & Creating a Google Places page (ALL SMBs need a Google Places page)

This list goes on. Once you click into on of the categories, Google will give you a tutorial on the topic, with key terms & processes, & links to additional resources. Can't get more like college than that! You're also able to "graduate" the Webmaster Academy by clicking all 19 sessions & Google will see you wanted that A for effort.

The grade really matters when you put all that learned into your site & see the information that you learned pay off. So follow the instructions & watch your ranking & visitor count go up. 

-Shantavia Thomas

National Small Business Week

It's small business week & there are a slew of events going on in the D.C. area to recognize the

importance of small business, its effect on economy, & to educate small business owners on topics that are relevant to them. A semi-annual study of American small businesses shows us that they are stressed but as well as optimistic. With the growing market for small business, the mixed emotions are understandable. Competing with big business is a hard task in itself, however it also opens up the floodgates to be creative & innovative. Small Business Week may tip the scales toward being more optimistic for many businesses.

The events & seminars being held provide information that key into small business owners wants & needs. The topics span from 'How To Win Big With Big Business' to 'Business Matching'.

Check out the website, National Small Business Week, for inspirational speakers or to watch the proceedings live!

- Shantavia Thomas

It Gets Easier with Google’s Bulk Management Tool

Small business owners are winning on all fronts these days. Now Google has another tool that will allow business owners to breath a little more easily. Google's (improved) Bulk Management Tool allows SMBs (small/mid-sized businesses) who have multiple locations to organize information for each location at once. It also

•  helps you find mistakes & irregularities in your listings quicker than before with the updated Google Places interface. 
• edit one or more listings' data simultaneously 
• upload new listings using a data file or by adding them individually within the interface 

Google also decided to help SMBs along the way with the updates by providing a "Give Feedback" link where you can ask questions as well as tell Google if you like the improvements. Addition to that, Google uploaded tutorials for verified & unverified users. So before you dive into your Google Places dashboard, check out the videos first. 

For Unverified Users 

For Verified Users 

The new interface will definitely help you manage your business with Google Places more efficiently & with less stress. If you still have a problem or want further information on the Bulk Management Tool after watching the tutorials, visit the Google Help Center. 

- Shantavia Thomas 

Unique Photo Completes Their Google Business View Program

Unique Photos, New Jersey's Camera & Video Superstore, recently finished their virtual tour through Google Business Photos. Unique Photo supplies all the wants & needs of all photographers, videographers, & those who just want to capture a beautiful moment for over 60 years. It's not surprising that they would see the benefits of using this special Google feature on their Google Places profile. 

Their dedicated customers & as well as new prospects can use this indoor walk-through feature to see the inside of their massive store & what they have in stock. This is perfect for those who want a heads up before actually visiting the location. Unique Photo was so pleased about their business with Google Business Photos, they had a few kind words to share.

In regards to our involvement, " it was a fabulous experience. You were punctual and the pictures could not have come out better! We have an expansive store and University and the 360 degree store view helps convey that to our customers. Thank you so much for your hard work - we get complemented by customers on the 360 degree image all the time." - Unique Photo

 Another customer walks away satisfied! To explore Unique Photo, please see below 

View Larger Map


- Shantavia Thomas

NY XPO: Networking is Key

I had the chance to go to the 7th Annual New York XPO for Business at the Jacob Javits Center. It was a 2-day event spanning over the 2nd & 3rd, but I was only able to go to on the 3rd. Let me first say, I have never been to the Jacob Javits Center so the whole building was a bit overwhelming. Finding the part of the building where the XPO was held was such a stress. I had to keep getting directed to another hallway, and another hallway, AND another. However, I made it nonetheless, early actually. I arrived a little 9:00 AM so I walked around a little, watched a few business set up their tables, & tried to prep myself to speak to these small business owners. 
I went to the first seminar at 9:30, it was on Social Media (perfect for me). It was titled The Social Media Toolbox: Secret Strategies to Increase Marketing & Engage Followers. I definitely learned a lot for Business Live 360 as well as for my personal business, & that's how most of the seminars worked. After that was over, the XPO was in full swing. Everywhere I turned someone was passing me their business card or selling me their pitch, it was a bit overwhelming (same as the layout of the building). However, I eventually got into the swing of things. I handed out too many business cards to count & expressed the benefits to so many small business owners of Google Business Photos/Business Live 360. I even attended a few more seminars & learned a lot of tips in creating a brand, how to "power network", & other great strategies to become a better business woman.
It was a great experience & I'm definitely happy that I went. I suggest all small business owners attend functions such as this one. A few other businesses that were in attendance was: 5 Hour Energy, Larry Flyhnt's Hustler's Club NYC, Think Energy, Fortune Web Marketing, & about 400 other small & mid-sized businesses. A great experience indeed. 
Happy Networking!


- Shantavia Thomas

Google Business Views now available for Android users!

Earlier today, Google Business View took a big leap in the right direction. The new feature from Google is now available on Android devices! With this new advancement, people can have the 'Street View' technology in the palm of their hands.

Android users will have indoor walk-through capabilities for their local venues & businesses. A GPS for the inside of businesses, down to what floor to take an elevator? Score! This new app is available to users in the U.S. & Japan, the two countries where venue owners can already upload their own indoor maps (learn something new everyday). Of course, the Google Business Imagery is the best part of the new app. Using 360-degree panoramic technology, users can see the inside of their local stores, businesses, & restaurants as if they were walking through it on foot.

 One popular business that is taking advantage of this feature is the Four Seasons Restaurant on East 52nd Street. I'm a dedicated Android user myself & I know I'm excited about this new addition. If you have an Android, & for some odd reason you don't have the mobile app on your phone, it's available on Google Play. Take that, Iphone!

You can log onto www.vosmap.com to complete your Google Business Views as well!

- Shantavia Thomas