Getting To Know Google - Part 2 - March 2004
By Kelly Embleton

In my last Music Business Online article, "Getting to Know Google", I covered most of Google's general features, tools and services and how to get your site listed. Believe it or not, Google still has more to offer but is more geared to online businesses and helping them optimize targeted Web site traffic.

Google offers many new developments, services and tools for online businesses ... so let's get to know Google a bit better.

General Advertising Benefits
Advertising on Google has several benefits including clickthrough rates five times higher than industry standard, keyword targeting that eliminates waste and increases relevance and unique text-based ads displayed on search results that are highly visible.

Google AdWords
Google AdWords allows you create your own ads, choose keywords to tell Google where to show your ads and pay only when someone clicks on them. Google AdWords helps you reach marketing goals, regardless of your company size. For complete information about Google AdWords visit https://adwords.google.com.

Google AdSense
Google AdSense is for Web site owners who want to make more revenue from advertising on their site. AdSense delivers text-based Google AdWords ads that are relevant to what your readers see on your pages - and Google pays you. AdSense also allows you to filter out unwanted ads and customize the appearance of ads. For complete information about Google AdSense visit https://www.google.com/adsense.

Google Search Appliance
Google Search Appliance allows you to bring the same technology that powers Google's search engine into your company. Put it to work on your corporate intranet, extranet and public Web site. This combined hardware and software solution is easy to use and can be up and running on your intranet, extranet and public Web site in a few hours. Google Search Appliance makes it quick and easy to connect your employees, partners, and customers to the information they need. For complete information about Google Search Appliance visit http://www.google.ca/appliance/.

Google Free
Google Free provides Google search results to users who want to search the Web or just your Web site. Google Free is fast, easy and free. Google offers three types of search functions: Google Free Web search, Google Free SafeSearch and Google Free Web search with site search.
Use Google Free searches the same way you use Google.com and you'll get exactly the same results. You can implement any of the Google Free searches on your site by copying and pasting HTML code into your site provided by Google. For complete information about Google Free visit http://www.google.ca/searchcode.html.

Google Wireless WebSearch
With Google Wireless WebSearch, your users can search not just the Web pages created specifically for wireless devices, but the entire World Wide Web. Google's proprietary on-the-fly conversion system translates Web pages into a language your phone understands, so users can access and view the content from their mobile phones. Google Wireless Search supports WML, HDML, HTML, and i-mode and J-Sky compatible HTML mobile Internet standards. For complete information about Google Wireless WebSearch visit http://www.google.ca/wireless/.

So that is the "business solutions" side of Google. I hope these articles have helped optimize your Google.com, Google.ca visits and visitors!

Resources

• Bandlink.net is an extensive music directory featuring artist sites, record labels, radio stations and a popular discussion forum. The site has recently had a design overhaul, is easier to navigate within, and features any new sections. Check it out at www.bandlink.net.

• Cakewalk recently announced the launch of Project5.com, a virtual community for the Project5 enthusiast. Project5.com was created to help electronic musicians take full advantage of the powerful Project5 Soft Synth Workstation by providing free tutorials and tips, drum kits, sampler banks, synth presets, and groove patterns. To celebrate the launch of Project5.com, Cakewalk has teamed up with Alienware, Edirol, Intel, Native Instruments and Roland to provide an opportunity to win a mobile recording studio worth over $7,000. For complete details, visit www.project5.com.

• If you are looking for sheet music, songbooks, artist biographies, anthologies or greatest hits collections then visit Music Books Plus at www.musicbooksplus.com. Music Books Plus has a vast selection of over 600 titles including: Best of Metallica, Ben Folds, Nickelback, Radiohead, Audioslave, Linkin Park, Paul McCartney and more.

• DRUM BUM's famous Drum Lessons / Tab Database has over 400 links to free drum lessons and drum tab. This collection is utilized by leading players and music educators worldwide and was recently reviewed by the Wall Street Journal! You have to see it to believe it at www.drumbum.com/lessons/.

• If you are looking for lyrics from some of your favourite artists, check out Song Lyrics Collection at www.songlyricscollection.com. The selection of artists is decent and browseable by album from each artist.

• North By Northeast (NXNE) 2004 is taking place in Toronto on June 10-12. Visit the NXNE site at www.nxne.com and find out info on the show, media, bands, hotels and more.