Google’s Tools for Online Success

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) and Google have teamed up to provide resources and tools that “help small businesses learn how to succeed online.”  Below is a sample video description of the features directly from Google. Be sure to checkout this new resource today at http://www.google.com/help/places/partners/sba/index.html!  (via Google)

Establish an online presence: As more and more people get online to find information and local searches grow, an online presence is increasingly important for a small business. For [...]

Google Launches Small Business Blog

Google launched a new blog this month, the Small Business Blog, which will showcase a real-life entrepreneurs and their experiences in “building companies from scratch and embracing Internet tools that have taken their business to the next level.”  The blog will also provide information on Google‘s products, features, and projects that most likely interest the small to medium sized business community (i.e. AdWords, Apps, Places, and YouTube).  Check out the new blog here. (via Google)

Accept Credit Card Payments on Android

There is a new app in the Android market that allows users to accept credit card payments directly from their Android phone.  Just download the app (called Square), plug in a dongle to your headphone jack, swipe the credit card through the dongle, and you get paid!  Their system comes contract-free and without monthly fees; users only have to pay a “competitive” transaction rate.  Checkout the video for more information.

Facebook Community Pages with Bing Maps

Facebook recently launched their Community pages which “are a new type of Facebook Page dedicated to a topic or experience that is owned collectively by the community connected to it. Just like official Pages for businesses, organizations and public figures, Community Pages let you connect with others who share similar interests and experiences.”

The Bing Maps Platform has been integrated into the Community Pages, offering users a fully navigable map from within Facebook.  Alex Li, a Facebook software engineer, stated “you’ll [...]