The right tools make any Internet marketing you do easier and more effective. These are “must haves” and they are all free from Google.
I believe at this time that all of these free tools require that you have a Google Account (i.e. ****@gmail.com).
(1) Google Analytics
Google Analytics will tell you a lot about how people are using your website. What are your most visited pages (they might not be what you think they are!), how many REAL people are visiting your website (visitor sessions), where they are coming from, how many of those people are repeat visitors, how many people visit your website and leave before clicking to another page (“bounce rate” and a high bounce rate is not a good thing!), and a lot more. It’s free from Google. Personally, I think the more Google knows about your website the better. Don’t forget to set-up reports to automatically be sent to you via email on a weekly or monthly basis.
(2) Google Search Console
Google knows a lot about your website already and it will gladly share that information with you through the Google Search Console. Formerly called Google Webmaster Tools, the Google Search Console will tell you if there are issues at your website that will adversely impact your indexing, visibility, and rankings at Google. Google will also alert you if your website gets infected with malware and also gives you the tools to remove malware warnings that may appear with your listing at Google if it is is infected.
https://www.google.com/webmasters/
(3) Gmail (or G-Suite)
Gmail is a powerful email client that is a very popular alternative to Microsoft Outlook (and other email clients). You can configure Gmail to send and receive email with your business email address. I’ve used it for years and it makes managing all of your email communications much easier! I think at this point all of the Google Tools I’m talking about here require using a Gmail account.
(4) Google Alerts
If you sign-up for Google Alerts you will get a notification anytime Google finds the targeted keywords or phrases you want to watch for. It’s a good way to monitor what people are saying about your business (if you use your business name as a targeted phrase). It’s also a good way to keep your eyes on your competition or the “wedding industry.”
(5) Google My Business
Google My Business, formerly Google Places, is basically a snap-shot of your business at Google. In a lot of ways it’s kind of a mini-website Google creates for your business. It often shows up on a search engine results page if someone searches for your company name. It’s important to claim / verify and properly configure your Google My Business listing. It’s also an important factor in your business showing up in Google Maps. I believe it also plays an important part in your overall search engine optimization strategy at Google. It’s another free service from Google.
https://www.google.com/business/
ACTION: If you haven’t already, verify your business with Google My Business. Make sure Google Analytics is in place at your website and properly tracking visitors. Set-up automated weekly Google Analytics reports to be sent to you via email. Claim the Google Search Console for your domain and verify it. Spend 30 minutes looking around and looking for any warning messages that may be adversely impacting your listing at Google.
"Working with Chris Jaeger has helped us to sharpen and refine our Internet marketing strategy. We signed up for one of his monthly programs and are delighted with the results. Our website is now working very well! And our presence on the Internet has really increased, as have our sales! That is precisely what we wanted. Chris is always there to answer our questions, and consistently offers sound advice, especially for those of us who are not "techies." He is knowledgeable, warm, and creative. We recommend him highly!" - Norma Moutal & Mark Giller, Owners of One Heart Personalized Ceremonies
"I asked Chris to review our website and Internet marketing and his analysis and recommendations were exactly what I was looking for. He didn't just give us broad recommendations, rather detailed notes, and detailed recommendations. The annotated screen-shots were very helpful. Now, it's time to get to work!" - Alex Karas, Owner, Enchanted Celebrations
“I’ve worked with Chris for 15+ years and when I wanted to upgrade my dated website he was the natural person to make it happen. In addition to the technical support, I needed his marketing insight and SEO expertise which are second to none. Reach out to Chris if you want better results from your website and internet marketing.” - George Banfalvi, Owner, Fifth Avenue Events & Entertainment
“Chris has always been a trusted resource of valuable internet marketing guidance and information for more than 15 years. Reach out for one of his complimentary Discovery Sessions, you’ll be glad you did.” - John Cover, Owner, Reflections Event Group
“Using Chris’s recommendations we saw a 30% increase in inquiries in the first 90 days. I can close about 80% of our inquiries, so needless to say this has been a big bump in sales for our business. Hire Chris to do a website review for your wedding business as I did, you’ll be glad you did, I’m sure of it!" - Carol Clarke, Owner, Bridal Gown Care
Greetings! My name is Chris Jaeger and I produce the Book More Weddings website. I am also the Founder of the International Association of Wedding Industry Professionals and coach at Build Your Wedding Business.
I am a published Amazon author and my book "100+ Things You Can Do to Book More Weddings: Reach More Engaged Couples, Drive More Traffic to Your Website, Get More Inquiries, and Book More Weddings" has helped thousands of wedding professionals reach more engaged couples and book more weddings.
I have been an educational speaker at the WeddingMBA, Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), Association for Wedding Professionals International, and many local groups such as the Charlottesville Wedding and Event Professionals and the Bellingham Business Association.
I am a wedding industry marketing veteran with more than 25+ years of experience marketing to engaged couples.
If you are not getting the results you expect from your website and internet marketing, or you are getting good results but would like BETTER results, follow this link.
I offer anyone in the wedding industry a complimentary no-obligation Discovery Session.
I also offer wedding business owners and managers a virtual consulting/coaching program, learn more here: Build Your Wedding Business.
