Google search revamp: How it will affect Franchise Business?
Nick Strong, MD - Select Your Franchise
Google has revamped its search system. What have they done and how will it affect franchise business?
We have all got used to using Google for searching and finding what we want from the Internet. So much so that the words ‘Google it’ have now entered the Oxford Dictionary. Google that what that word means are therefore officially part of the English language.
Google is, at the end of the day, just a business. Google came to prominence by being better at organising the Internet than its competitors Microsoft (Bing) and Yahoo. As a business Google is continually under threat from its competitors for market share. Google depends on people like you and me using its search engine to organise the Internet as pay per click search is the only way Google makes money.
In recent times the emergence of social media has started to erode Google’s market share. Many of us are now finding information we want to know about via social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. So why the shift?
Many of us are keen to have information and services recommended to us by friends. Social media offers its users to the chance to pick up recommendations and referrals in a number of ways. This has had an impact on Google search. In addition Microsoft has revamped its search engine called Bing and is starting to take small amounts of market share away from Google.
So what are Google now doing differently?
Now when you search for what you want in Google the system starts to predict what it is you want to find by showing search results before you have finished typing what it is you are looking for. This helps the person who is searching the Internet via Google to see results for their search more quickly.
Speed is very important with Internet users so this tweak by Google could prove positive in its battle to retain market share and dominance.
If you don’t like the new way Google is offering results then don’t worry. You can switch off the new system and go back to the one you are used to.
The new system is rolling out this week so sometimes you might see it and sometimes not. The new system is not live on mobile phone search until later on in the 2010 according to reports from the BBC.
Google Instant results in action
So how will this new system affect franchisors and their franchisees?
Franchise business will need to think very carefully about the web content it publishes and make sure that it marches the keywords and phrases that people are typing into the search engines to find relevant information and services to the franchise business offering. Franchise marketers must ensure that their Internet copy appears highly in search results and is written for the market and how it is searching. Gone are the days of broadcast media as an effective way to get seen. The Internet is all about finding out what people searching Google want and presenting them with content that is tuned to solve their problems quickly, easily and cost effectively.
For confidential information on how to achieve Google and social media effectiveness for the purpose of increasing franchise growth contact Nick Strong – nick@franweb.co.uk. Nick strong bio.
Tags: franchise development, Franchise Marketing, nick strong
