Google offers a wide variety of free services and one of the best paid advertising systems in the world. Some of the free services inlcude:
- iGoogle – a customizable dashboard for your information “feeds.”
- Google Calendar – one of the most powerful online calendar systems – and it’s free.
- Google Local Business Center – Mappable, localized results, usually at the top of the search engine results [click HERE to learn more about the Google Local Business Center.]
- Google Analytics – the best free, online web stats system available.
- Google Webmaster Tools – Analysis tools and advice for website owners.
- Plus many more!
Google’s advertising system, Adwords, is not free, of course, but it is powerful and potentially effective for many.
The key to all of these services is your Google Account.
Many people who utilize these services experience a phenomenon I will call “Google Account Creep.” This is the experience of creating too many Google Accounts because you either forgot – or did not realize – that they can all be managed under one account. In fact, the ability to keep all of these services under one account has been proven (by me) to reduce headaches and generally lead to happier computer times.
Google Sign In Box
HOW TO CREATE GOOGLE ACCOUNTS:
There are two ways to create a Google Account. If you want to create an account based on any email address:
- Go to www.google.com and click on the link in the upper right that says “Sign In.”
- You can then click on the link that says “Create and account now.”
- After you fill out all of the information, Google will send a verification link to your email address.
- NOTE: Google recently added a verification step for ALL Google Accounts. They now require that you verify a code they will TEXT to your cell phone number. Google claims to be doing this to cut down on people making multiple, frivolous accounts. Google’s advice if you do not have a cell phone? “Borrow a friend’s.”
If you create a Gmail Account (Google’s free, web-based email system,) you have automatically created a Google Account.
You may use your gmail account to activate and manage any of Google’s services.
Happy Googling. Please send me any questions or comments you may have via the comment section below…
