Google Local vs. Facebook Applications

                     

As you know, there are many applications, whether local or network-aimed, that a business can use to expose themselves implementing Web 2.0 technology.  Google Local, for instance, is a free listing offered by Google, that allows a business to advertise for free.  For example, one can update their location and business information.  In addition, a business can even create coupons and add photos and videos.

Although Facebook has a few business applications that Google Local offers, it is more of a social networking device to find people.  This may be the direction of Facebook for now, but a few applications are leading this social component to advance on a business level.  For example, a business owner can benefit from the eventbrite application which allows a person to publish an event.  One can also create a fan page where persons included can view coupons and promotions.  Facebook also offers the ability to create polls.  In addition, a city search device, similar to Google Local, allows a business to post updated information and helps people within the network find you.  Facebook has a future in the business world if they enhance their business applications and give users an option of  depersonalizing the page.  For now, Google Local is the easy search device for customers to find local businesses and for the use of local businesses to appeal to the local customer.

Google Local vs. Twitter Applications: How both are Beneficial to business

As I have explained in previous blogs, Google Local is an efficient tool for local businesses. Google Local is free and it gives businesses the ability to advertise with a business listing that includes updated information about their location and business information. One also has the ability to create coupons and share photos and videos. A map is included with directions and satellite view is also an accessory.

Twitter applications also gives businesses the same ability. With the exception of a local search, applications are created to appeal to the network of people on twitter. Some of the applications are very beneficial because it causes twitters to pass on information from follower to follower or by word of mouth. For instance, twtBizCard is an online business card that a tweeter can send to her followers and those followers can retweet this business card information to their followers. Another useful application is twtQpon. A business can create coupons online and include special promotions and discounts. A business owner can also take advantage of twtbiz in which a business can add itself to a directory where twitters can find them.

There are many differences and similarites with the usefulness to businessses with Google Local and Twitter. As one can see, twitter applications have the same abilities that Google Local offers and more. The difference is that Google Local only appeals to the user who has to find and search for the business, and then a customer can view information. In turn, the business benefits with this free advertisement. With twitter, the business owner can be more interactive with attracting customers within the network. The great thing about twitter is that it is also free.

Google Local vs. Local Tweeps

Local Tweeps Application.  Local Tweeps is a free application provided through twitter that allows you to make local connections.  It is useful in following tweeps directly.Local Tweeps is known as a "hyperlocal twitter directory."  Twitters can find people or get found by tweeps in the local area based on the zipcode or keywords.  They can list themselves and follow others.  A notification alerts you of the tweeps near you.

Although one can take advantage of the applications of Google Local and Local Tweeps, there are a few differences between the two.  For instance, while Local Tweeps is more interactive within a network of twitters, Google Local is more of a search site that offers an exchange of information from the site to the user.  Given that Local Tweeps notifies you of people in the area, a business owner can take advantage by sending information about themselves to fellow twitters.  With Google Local, the user will have to find the business by using keywords to search for information on their own.  The advantage that Google Local has is that a business has a a listing with directions and a map in addition to free advertisement within a website.  The productivity booster for businesses with Local Tweeps is the ability to respond to followers in a quick and frequent matter.  Given that the format of Local Tweeps is simple and quick, one can also add a link to their responses and urge others to check it out.  Local Tweeps also gives the business owner the ability to grab a network of people that are near the area.  This can lead to tweeps alerting more tweeps, which in effect, spreads the word about the business.