Google is the New Walmart for Small Businesses

Google is the New Walmart for Small Businesses


When Walmart comes into town, it kind of wipes out stores that market price conscious commodities. What are they?


Examples of price conscious commodity stores are bike stores, toy stores, grocery stores, and garden centers.


Seth Godin, an author, recognized the Walmart phenomena and introduced to the marketing world the Purple Cow. A brief description of the Purple Cow goes like this. If you are driving down the highway and see a brown cow, you think "Big wiz" because you see brown cows all of the time. But what happens if you see a "Purple Cow" you think, that is cool, right? It sticks into your head. The Purple Cow theory is you need to be remarkable and stand out to compete. 


The successful companies that competed against Walmart found out that they needed to be remarkable in order to stay in business They needed to be the "Purple Cow". The most obvious way for them to stay in business was offer outstanding service whether it was offer knowledge during the sale process or extra packaging with a handwritten "Thank You Note" after the sale. Service is the "Purple Cow" for small business.


Now the successful companies have weathered the Walmart storm and thought they had it figured it out and here comes Google.


Now your thinking, how is Google with all of its services for small businesses hurting small businesses, right?


Simply with its Small Business Package like Google Offers and Google Local, Google is changing how small businesses market. If used right, the services are great for small businesses. Unfortunately, most small businesses are using the Google services wrong. 


First, most small business are not taking advantage of Google Offer like the big businesses. Consumers who use the Offers typically only see offers from Big Businesses.


Next when it comes to Google Local, most small businesses are not completing their profile and managing their profile. Why is this important? Most internet users use Google over the Yellow Pages to find a business. 


So why do you need to monitor if I have a presence on Google Local?


First, your profile, which is tied to Google Search and Google Plus will need periodic updates. 


Second, you need to monitor what your customers are saying about your business. Here are some random reviews:

  

    

            

  

So how is Google like Walmart? 


Google Local makes it easier for consumers to post reviews about your small business. Just like when Walmart came to town, small businesses need to be remarkable or consumers will shop by price which will benefit large businesses like Walmart.


If you are not remarkable, your customer will be disappointed and will shop somewhere else. With Google Local they will take their friends and your future customers with them.


Be remarkable and consumers will make remarkable reviews. 

I'm surprised at how many businesses in Kansas City don't have a presence on Google Local and do not monitor what their customers are saying.


Do you have a Google Local presence and monitor what your customers are saying?

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