It allows users to contribute online and offline content to the search engine, and add attributes to the contents description to help others find it.
Depending on relevance, submitted items could appear across Google properties like Froogle or Google Local. That would seem to support the anticipated release of Googles classifieds service, by giving users an easy way to upload and tag products or services.
One item in the Base FAQ also shows that the service is ready to work with classifieds:
If youd rather format your item by hand, click Next without entering any information in the description box. On the next page, you can specify your items title, description, pricing, and other content in separate fields.
Publishing items to Base will require a Google Account. Google will review submitted items, so users will have to obey the terms and conditions of the service. Users with a large number of items to submit can do so via bulk upload with RSS or Atom feeds, or with a tab-separated file.
AdWords users can advertise their hosted page on Base with the program. Google recommends in the FAQ that AdWords users include their namespace in the visible URL of the ad, ie base.google.com/username.
Gary Price at Search Engine Watch does see a couple of areas Google will have to police heavily in order to keep Base a relevant and useful service:
Spam will likely be rampant, especially in the optional labels (aka tags) section. Precisely how these labels are used is unknown, but Im guessing their use is for helping determining relevancy to a specific query. Also, will someone or something be watching for copyright issues if/when someone reposts an in-copyright article from a magazine Its worth mentioning that every item has a link to report it as a bad item (violates copyright, mislabeled or misleading, spam, contains or links to adult content and is not labeled correctly, etc.) Great, now does Google have the human resources to check out each report in a timely manner and then respond properly
And Danny Sullivan recommended a couple of improvements for Base:
This is a real advancement, and its one I hope well see improve in two ways -- the ability to have private databases and named databases.
For private databases, I mean that Google Base is a simple way for anyone to create a collection of names and phone numbers for the local soccer club. But you dont want the world to have access to that information, only people you choose. Private databases would be helpful.
By named database, I sort of mean mini-Google Bases. If someones created an exceptionally good set of information, I want to be able to search directly against just that information, rather than all of Google Base. Its a pain to have to hope or figure out that refinement will let me do that. Give me the ability to name and bookmark a particular database.
A number of items have been submitted to Base already. Google is using geocoding to enhance the results. By clicking on the sample cars for sale link, I was taken to specific listings within 45 miles of the WebProNews home base, complete with a Google Map and pushpins showing where each car could be found.
Doing a search for blogger in Base returned a couple of pages of results, which should rapidly expand as more people add references to their blogs to Base. Options to refine the search appeared as clickable links at the top of the results page.
Base has been listed as a beta version, like a lot of Google services. Now well have to wait for Classifieds to come along and see how they work together.
If we take a look at traditional export process for a new company and its products you may start by defining the niche market, and then finding the customers.
The usual method is contacting Commerce Departments on the embassies or consulates of diverse countries, find the most relevant companies that can be interested on importing, and get valid contact information.
Other used method is to travel to the desired countries and present your products to local importers or distributors and hopefully get a deal.
I cannot say those methods are inefficient, however they can be certainly risky, time consuming and very expensive.
Now lets analyze the SEM choice for international commerce:Using the power of the internet, a professional SEM company can develop for you a web marketing strategy to recognize your niche market(s), find out what your competitors and possible buyers are doing in order to be updated of the current market behavior, and then elaborate a marketing plan to get your potential buyers to contact you when searching for the products you promote.
If your idea is to have an aggressive campaign, an SEM strategy can include contacting potential clients (online and offline), letting them receive information about your offered merchandise and your possible advantages in your field (reliability, price, technology, special delivery, guarantee, client support, etc.).
Besides these points, the most important reasons why to choose Search Engine Marketing for your export planning still are:
It is faster and more accurate to find active potential customers.
Possibility to create a direct bridge to retailers and final consumers instead of selling to intermediaries, which will raise your margins and lower the final costs: a win-win deal.
The cost of an SEM strategy can be much lower than traditional marketing and if professionally managed- will generate a fast ROI and will increase your sales volume, eliminating unnecessary risks.
If you have questions of how SEM can work for your business please click here.
Mr. Daniel Katz is the Business Development Manager at Compucall Web Marketing Ltd - - experts in International Web Marketing and Marketing Strategies.