While Google Offers is still in the beta stage and only available in a few select cities like Portland, OR, New York and the San Francisco area, just like Google, it promises to be huge.
Similar to Groupon, Google Offers promotes daily deals for local or online businesses.
It is vital for all businesses to optimize their Google Place page, but if your business plans on participating in Google Offers, you now have even more incentive. This is because the Offer page features a Google Map with a link to the business’ Google Place page, making it an important selling tool. The Offer page also displays a “Look Inside” link that allows the prospect to view images of the businesses (businesses featured may also be featured in a photo shoot).
Google Offers may be shared via Twitter, Facebook or Google Buzz although they have not yet established a referral program. Offers are available in Google products such as Google Search, Maps, Latitude and Shopper.
A unique feature of Google Offers is Google Wallet, which is an Android app that makes your phone a wallet. Google Wallet stores your Google Offers, loyalty cards and virtual versions of your existing plastic cards. While the applications are currently limited, Google’s goal is to have gift cards, receipts, boarding passes, tickets, even your keys seamlessly synced to your Google Wallet.
Google Wallet utilizes NFC (Near Field Communications) technology which allows your transaction to take place simply by tapping your phone on a merchant’s reader.
To subscribe and/or receive email offers when Google Offers launches in your city, go to http://www.google.com/offers.
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