Overview
Part of building and maintaining a website these days includes Google. Google has positioned itself as the foremost search engine for quite some time, but it doesn't stop there. In order to build Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and increase your overall site ranking and listing potential, Google has created a family of products to help webmasters accomplish just that. In other words, if you want people to find your site, you need to get on board with some of Google's products.
Google Gmail is also growing in popularity, adding to the mix another Google product - "Google Apps", which includes email (gmail), among other products. The great thing about all these Google products is that for many of our customers here at Faithwebsites, these products are all free. But, navigating all of these products has proved to be a confusing challenge.
Faithwebsites does not claim to administer or support any of Google products - Google has an extensive support infrastructure for all of it's products and users. However, FWS does offer services to setup our customers with Google Apps and we do have a built in feature where you can easily connect Google Analytics to your site. Therefore our support will be focused, and limited to, the two primary elements required to establish Google Apps and Google Analytics.
Google Apps versus Google Accounts:
Google Apps and Accounts are two very different accounts, however they can be interchanged. When you setup a Google Account, you are setting up access to the family of products that includes AdWords, Analytics, Groups, Picasa, Google Checkout and more.
When you setup a Google Apps account, you are setting up for a family of products that includes Email, Google Docs, Google Talk and more.
If you contract FWS to set up your domain with Google Apps, we do not currently set you up with a Google Account. A Google Account is free, but you will need to do that step, starting at this link here.
You can use your Apps account for certain Accounts product log-in, but the best thing to do is to go through the process to setup a Google Accounts, and utilize your Google Apps email address.
Click here for more information on Google Apps vs. Google Accounts.
Why Do I Need a Google Account?
The primary reason would be Google Analytics. Setting up a Google Account allows you access to Google Analytics, which provides you with valuable data and insight into your site's traffic, keywords, success of landing pages and more. With this data, you can start to learn how to make navigation, content and other improvements to your site that will increase your search engine ranking and your visitor count and length of time your site.
In addition, we would recommend that you consider:
- Local Business Center - a free way to put your organization on the "map" results on Google and immediately increase your traffic.
- Google Webmaster Central (Webmaster tools) - a bit more advanced, but even a novice can find resources and ways to improve their site's SEO.
Quick reference links:
Setting up a Google Account
Google Apps
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