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ONLINE MARKETING

Use Google’s free tools to grow your small business’ online presence

By our News Team | 2022

Internet-based marketing is critical for any business. But you don’t need to spend a fortune optimising your strategy.

Marketing your business through Google – basically the internet – is an important strategy to consider when it comes to a company’s marketing plan.

Rucien Petersen, Founder of marketing company Spottmedia, discusses some of the key ways to grow your business through Google.

1.Google My Business page

The Google My Business page helps companies to be found online when potential customers are looking for a product or service in a specific location. You can create your business page and update it regularly with information related to your location and offerings. If you are running a promotion, have an upcoming event, or want to share the latest company news you can do so under your page. You can also request customers to review your business, increasing the feedback on your business and service offerings.

Online Marketing

Photo by Luca Sammarco from Pexels

2. Google Test My Site

Many business owners spend heavily on a website developer to create a website, but the reality is if your site is not optimised for speed and mobile it won’t capture the attention or convert visitors into paying customers. Test My Site is a feature provided by Google that allows you to test your website and how well it is optimised. After testing your site, Google will provide a full report on where you need to improve and the changes required.

3. Google Trends

The best way to create solutions and to solve problems is to understand what your customer is looking for. Google Trends allows you to find out what consumers are searching for, and the key words related to specific terms during a particular period. As an example, if you search ‘marketing’ in Google Trends you will find related topics like affiliate, consultants and certificates. You will also receive a breakdown on which countries and cities had the highest search over a 12-month period.

4. Google Ads

We know that Google ads are expensive, but they are also extremely effective. Consumers are bombarded by marketing messages every day and Google ads allow your business to stand out by breaking through the clutter. Google Ads are purely created to target individuals based on their key words entered into the search engine. 

5. Market Finder

Where do you go to find your ideal audience and market? Market Finder is the perfect feature that can assist your business. Market Finder uses terms related to your business to match and connect to your ideal audience based on a global online search. 

Petersen emphasises that being found online involves a process of feeding Google content consistently and regularly. These tools will not only help you to create an online presence, but enable you to grow the business and connect with your ideal audience.

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Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.