by Charlene Davis

Created on: August 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 02, 2009

Starting and maintaining a business with an online presence can be very challenging in any market, whether you're an inexperienced novice or seasoned entrepreneur. The key is arming yourself with the best tools available to help streamline and make the process more efficient. Google offers a broad spectrum of services for Internet users, including some that are virtually unknown. Its branding of the world's most powerful search engine have made it synonymous with the word "search," but there are many other Google web services every entrepreneur should be aware of:

1. Google Business Solutions - The best place for a business owner to start. Here you can find recommendations for your specific type of business, as well as identify goals to help promote and improve your website while increasing revenue.

2. Gmail - A free email service that offers unlimited storage space and can be accessed from anywhere including your mobile device. Gmail takes the clutter out of email with lots of innovative features that help with organizing, filtering, labeling, and threading messages, as well as quickly searching messages to find exactly what you are looking for.

3. Google Calendar - This free online application assists you with keeping track of upcoming meetings and scheduled functions with automatic reminders that can be received via email or cell phone. You can easily create invitations for special events and monitor RSVPs, as well as send follow-up notices. In addition to integrating this service with your Gmail account, another great feature is the ability to use multiple calendars to streamline your business, social, and personal life that can be shared with clients, co-workers, and/or family members, if desired.

4. Google Reader - Another free application from Google featuring a web-based aggregator that allows users to read RSS feeds online or offline via computer or mobile device. Stay up-to-date with current news and events from all of your favorite sites that can be neatly organized and managed from one convenient location.

5. Google Docs - Allows users to upload existing files or create new documents which can then be shared with multiple users in real time. This free service enables documents to be efficiently organized into folders and securely stored online, which eliminates the concern of hard drive crashes and power outages.

6. Google AdWords - A widely-used advertising program for text, image, or video ads that offers cost-per-click (CPC) or cost-per-impression

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