Remember Google?  That little division of the global behemoth Alphabet…  Yeah, they’ve built some pretty awesome things in their 18 years in existence.  Including some incredible tools that your startup can use to stay on task, communicate more effectively, promote your wares or go global.

Without further ado, here are 7 (mostly!) FREE Google tools every startup needs –

1. Google Apps for Work

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/daniello/266812766

Hopefully most of you know this one and use it on the regular…because mar our words, it will change your life.  “Google Apps” allows you to use a full suite of applications from word processor to spreadsheets and presentation maker.  All of the documents you create can be shared so the whole team can collaborate and many offer rich, web-enabled features like the ability to embed images from a web link, calculate currency conversions and stock prices and so much more.  Google Apps for Work allows additional space and custom YourDomain.com email accounts.  Get to work >

2. Google My Business

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/activefree/479037731/

Do you run a store, restaurant or shop with a physical location?  Then you need to check out this free tool to literally get yourself on the map.  Ever wonder how to get included on Google Maps or to have an augmented listing in Google with hours of operation, a phone number, reviews and more.  Yep, this is how.  Get found today >

3. Google Analytics

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/toddle_email_newsletters/16668870014/

Whoa.  If you’re running anything web-based — from a blog to a simple WordPress one-pager, then you need to use Google’s free tool for website usage analysis.  Google Analytics gives you access to rich, graphical reports on where your website visitors are coming from, what content is performing well and from which pages people tend to abandon ship.  Gone are the days of the 1999 “hit counter”.  Remember – what gets measured gets managed.  How do you measure up? >

4. Google Trends

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/psychemedia/3034649359

This free Google resources is a lesser known tool that’s an excellent starting point for any startup in the ideation phase.  Google Trends allows you compared bench-marked keywords to see what’s trending.   Want to know if your market is hot or cooling — type in a few words to describe your product.  Want to know what’s up and coming or trending?  Yep, Google Trends has you covered.  Check it out >

5. Google Translate

Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/augie/5613377261/

Hola amigos!  That’s ‘hi friends’ for our north of the border contingent.  Whether you’re going global and need an inexpensive way to translate your entire website or just need a few phrases to firm up negotiations with your Alibaba supplier in Jiangsu, Google Translate might do the trick.  Albeit imperfect for longer phrases, this free tool now supports over 90 languages with 200 million users worldwide.  Adiamo >

6. Global Market Finder

Image Source: Google Play Newsstand Availablity by Naskox – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Commons

Google Market Finder is another awesome, free tool from Google that helps you flesh out overseas potential for your products and services.  Google Market Finder combines the best of Google search data (like that of Google Trends) with Translate and Adwords bid and competition data.  Are you selling the hottest new gadget and need to find out where you should head next?  Now you can spot emerging opportunities in countries you never dreamed you’d be doing business in.  To infinity, and beyond >

7. Google Consumer Barometer

Image Source: https://www.consumerbarometer.com/en/

Consumer Barometer is the big data insight tool for marketers.  Google has aggregated some of their finest big search data and given you an insiders peak behind the curtain.  You can research new markets, languages, demographic statistics, mobile usage information and much more across a very wide array of product categories.  Let’s go >

What free web resources and productivity tools is your startup using?  Share with us in the comments!

Startup Stir

Startup Stir is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. We've built a lively and thriving community around monthly events with thought leaders covering a variety of business topics.

More Posts

Comments

comments