May Online Marketing Roundup

May is coming to an end and as usual we’ve put together the best online marketing articles of the month. Find out about everything you need to know here:

1. Facebook Now Lets You Call a Business Right From its News Feed ad

Just like you, more than 40 million businesses have Facebook pages and now you and they are able to add the instant call button in your marketing campaigns.

That’s right, Facebook has launched the "Call Now" and "Get Directions" buttons to Facebook Ads to make it more convenient for customers to reach businesses directly from their mobile phones.

How do the buttons work?

The "Call Now" button will be at the bottom right corner of each ad unit that appears on a users' News Feed on the Facebook mobile app. All customers have to do is just tap on the button and their phone will automatically call your business directly.

The "Get Directions" button works in much the same way. Customers who wish to visit your business simply have to tap on the button and it automatically launches their maps or directions app, showing directions from their location.

With these call-to-action buttons, customers save time from having to endlessly search for your contact information, by allowing them to instantly reach you, they are more likely to visit your business and make a quick purchase.

Try it out and let us know how it worked out for your business!

2. Tweets Take Flight in the Google App

Google has brought instant Tweets to Google Search on mobile devices. Now when you’re searching via Google app or any browser on your phone or tablet, you’ll be able to find real-time content from Twitter right in the search results.

So, regardless of interest or whatever you’re looking for, just type Tweets and the user you want to see the tweets from and “voila” you’ll see them right there in your search results.

Or, if you want to read what an online community may be saying about some topic, just ask Google app and you’ll see it pop-up right there in the search results.

This is a great way to get real-time info right when something is happening. Also, it’s another way for organizations and people on Twitter to reach a global audience quicker, and at the most relevant moments.

Google has launched this on Google.com in English through the Google app (on Android and iOS) and on mobile browsers, rolling everything out gradually. They’re also working on bringing it forward in more languages and to desktop as well.

3. Google Webmaster Tools Rebrands to Google Search Console

Google also announced that they have renamed Google Webmaster Tools to Google Search Console.

Why did the rename it? Well, Google says:

it’s because the tool isn’t just for webmasters, it’s also for hobbyists, small business owners, SEO experts, marketers, programmers, designers, app developers and yes, Webmasters!

So, to make it sound more inclusive and not to scare away non-webmasters, Google decided to rename the tool.

Nothing else has changed with this name change however, although Google is frequently adding new features to the tool.

The URL is still the same, but Google also added a short URL g.co/SearchConsole.

4. Google to Debut “Buy” Button in Coming Weeks

Google Shopping “buy” buttons could also start appearing on select Google mobile ads in just a few weeks as well. This new feature would allow Google to compete head on with Amazon and Ebay as all-in-one online marketplaces.

How will it Work?

When users click a buy button from a Google Shopping ad, they’ll be taken to a unique landing page to complete their purchase. Retailers will of course continue to handle all of the shipping and processing.

Also, Google will allow opt-ins to merchant marketing programs, so retailers can continue to market to their customers as they do when transactions take place on their own sites. This means retailers will still get address information and email addresses for future marketing efforts, as long as shoppers opt-in.

The Main Benefit

Google’s real selling point is that, unlike Amazon and Ebay, participating advertisers will not have to forego a percentage of the transaction. They will only continue to charge per ad click. That in turn could help allure large retailers that may have resisted this type of participation in the past.

5. Google AdWords Launches New Ad Format for Nearby Businesses 

Google announced a new ad format for searches done in the format of [nearby X], for example, [nearby auto repair], where it would show click-to-call and directions directly on your mobile device.

Starting this past May 21st, Google we’ll show three or four different businesses for location-related searches like “nearby auto repair.” Each ad unit will feature click-to-call and directions right at people’s fingertips.

This new format organizes the information that your on-the-go customers need so they can easily compare options and take action, like calling your business or visiting your store.

If you have location extensions enabled in your account, you’ll be eligible to show these new mobile ad formats.