Using a Google Account for Client Websites
These days, when we begin a maintenance package or SEO work for a client, we create a Google account. We set it up under a special email address used specifically for link-building and web marketing purposes. We find that using a dedicated role-account address, such as ‘links@domain.com’ or ‘marketing@domain.com’, makes it easier to keep track of things.
When we create a Google Account, these are the most common products we use:
Analytics: The price is free, and the information can be priceless. It’s very easy to set up, too.
Alerts: We set up alerts to be notified when the company’s name or website pops up on the web. It’s a great way to keep an eye on your things and find out who is linking to you and what they are saying.
Local Business Center: This is where businesses can submit thier listings directly to google. It allows you to expand and enhance your listing.
Webmaster tools: Though this section, we set up sitemaps and keep an eye on a website’s diagnostics. It provides a lot of information that can help keep your site working well.
Feedburner: This RSS services can be tracked through a google account, as well. If we set up a blog, we create a feedburner account to help optimize the feed.
Adwords: When we need to, we’ll open up an Adwords program under the client’s account. We don’t like the idea of controlling the accounts ourselves and billing out for PPC advertising. From a practical point, it puts us on the hook for expenses, and it causes problems if the client want to take control over the account.
Other features, such as Gmail, iGoogle, Reader, etc, are also available. But we usually don’t use them. The client can, if they choose.
By the way, Google Accounts are free! If you don’t have one already, consider creating one.
