Google Voice is finally available to all of us here in the U.S.A. Google’s cool web-based application allows small and mid-sized business owners to have full control of their phone communications. With Google Voice, you receive a single phone number that rings multiple lines (cell, office or home phone). The service provides voice message transcription and best of all; you can make free calls within the U.S. and Canada. International calling rates are low and you can make 4-person conference calls hassle-free.

How Google Voice works…

Once you sign up for an account with Google Voice, you choose your phone number. Then you can use your office, home and cell numbers. Google allows you to choose any U.S. area code you desire. You can forward your phone calls to six other phones. It even allows you to make free text messages. This makes life a whole lot easier. Now you don’t have to worry about being interrupted by phone calls while you’re in the middle of an important project.

Here are a few pros and cons of Google Voice:

Pros:

For business owners, Google Voice can be combined with Gmail, Google Docs, Google Buzz, Google Wave and Gdrive for an optimum online communication experience.

Personally, it lets me have a Georgia area code, without changing the number I have had for years, enabling me to get into the security gate at my apartment.

Cons:

Last year, Google Voice experienced a glitch in the system that raised a few eyebrows. Prospective users who were given the opportunity to test-drive the service (by invitation only) discovered that their voicemail transcripts posted in the search results. Google quickly rectified the problem. Today, all transcripts are kept away from the search engine crawlers.

Many people that call me are disgruntled by the unnecessary amount of time Google Voice takes when transferring a caller to voicemail that they hang up and I never know what it is they wanted or if it is an unknown number who it was that called.

Google had a live weblog on June 22 where they revealed the new features of Google Docs that would make connectivity, security, migration, and the user interface friendlier for both business and personal usage.

Connectivity with MySQL databases

Trigger a Script from any website

Build and Display custom interfaces or venues for users

Admins can manage more permissions across users

Monitor files being stored and shared outside domain

Partner apps to migrate and sync files to Google Docs

Memeo and Syncplicity connect

Google Wave as a lab

A way to have real-time discussions and make quick decisions within context

Discuss and debate while creating content in small group settings

Preserves time line of how a wave evolves

Google Apps Marketplace

Easily discover, purchase and deploy web apps that integrate with Google

Move fast with single-sign on for easier navigation shared data

Examples: Accounting, Finance, Customer Relationship Management Software, e-mail marketing, scheduling

Security

Updated Google Apps directory sync; advanced features or password synchronization (default, force to change at first login, etc.)

Ability to reset sign-in cookies

Mobile Device Management

Lock device after certain time of un-use

Re-require password to change certain things or enter certain areas

Must change password after certain amount of time

Just Launched

Google drawings: build organizational charts, flow charts, design diagrams

The new communication friendly version: chat, real-time co-editing, easier import/exporting

Faster spreadsheets: drag and drop columns, editable formula bar, auto complete to speed up data entry, send or add links directly to spreadsheets

Upload any file: upload, store, and share any file in Google Docs for safe storage and accessibility at all times. Files will be stored in the original formats and can be downloaded from anywhere

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.WestTexasFootandAnkle.com. West Texas Foot & Ankle Associates offers comprehensive podiatry services and specializes in providing expert treatment in a warm and caring environment. West Texas Foot & Ankle Associates' warm, friendly staff members introduce you to a specialized approach of minimally invasive foot and ankle care techniques.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, website hosting, and SEO services.

It’s no secret that Google is still considered one of the most used resources on the web, and businesses of all sizes have been using the site for years to market their products and services. For the small business owner, marketing can be a daunting and expensive affair. Using Google to market your small business is an excellent way to reach a broad audience without spending a fortune.

AdWords is still Google’s flagship and most popular advertising product, as well as the company’s main source of revenue. AdWords can be summed up as being a PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising service, which can be used to reach both a local and national audience. You know exactly what you going to get with what you pay. You can get pay to be on page one of Google the day your site launches and drive targeted traffic to your site.

Companies are still using Google AdWords to great effect, as it differentiates your site from the competition by placing your link in a bolded-out, highly visible section of the search page. Since companies literally pay per click, your business only pays for results, which is a lot better than dumping money into a targetless direct mail campaign.

Google’s AdWords service is also very easy to use, even for those who do not consider themselves to be computer savvy. Like other Google products, AdWords is user-friendly and will even drum up reports of how well your advertising is working, offering suggestions as to what you may do in the future to improve your advertising techniques. With AdWords, you can control your company’s advertising without having to employ a marketing agency, saving you valuable time and money.

It is important in the long run to also appear in the organic listings as well. Point your ads towards a specific landing page and not always necessarily the home page. Google as well as other ads should provide you with details on how often your ad shows, how often it’s clicked on, how much traffic is being sent from this ad, and what you are paying per click.

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.KimFreemanRealtor.com. Kim Freeman is a real estate agent licensed in both Georgia and Alabama. Explore her website to browse listings and gather any needed market information to help with the buying and selling of your home.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, website hosting, eCommerce, and SEO services.

The AP has officially released its 2010 stylebook that includes for the first time new social media guidelines. The stylebook will offer some basic guidelines on how journalists should use social media, including confirming sources and information found on social networks before (re-)tweeting or sharing, as well as 42 new correct ways to use terms and internet lingo.

Click Here to read the AP Press Release on the new stylebook and adding social media guidelines to the 2010 edition.

TracSoft would like to announce its newest website www.donaldbowlesbuilder.com. Bowles Builders of Columbus, Georgia offers a wide variety of floorplans and styles to fit every homeowner's needs. Combining a commitment to value and customer service before, during and after the sale ensures a a lasting quality whether buying a recently built home or buying new.

The services provided by Tracsoft were a custom website design, Flash technology, and website hosting.