Majority of people will search a business online. They want to read reviews (honest reviews – not paid ones like Belkin) to see how the companies products/services really are.

So, last week I set up a basic coupon for a brick and mortar company to test it out. Here are the screen shots I came up as I went thru the procedure.

Where Is It Going

Google Coupon

{click image for better resolution}

Before you get there you need to know how to get there and know what you might expect. Looking at the image you believe that when people search for your business they will be smacked in the face with a coupon. I mean honestly who doesn’t like coupons in today’s tough times? Right?

Would you rather do business with a company you could save 25% from or where you have to pay retail cost for the product/service?

DUH!

Okay, so we now know we want to set up a coupon for your business and the example I am using Dayton Chess Club, an actual brick and mortar business. Of course this type of business will be easier to do but nonetheless I have seen some creative coupons for internet business as well.

Moving forward after speaking with the owners of the Dayton Chess Club we came up with a simple coupon for the following month.

Setting Up The Coupon

Google Coupon Setup

{click image for better resolution}

The steps are pretty easy and pretty self explanatory. The part that I kind of got tricked up in was that I have a few businesses that I manager in my local business center so please make sure you click on the correct location.

The last thing you want is to set up a coupon for 10% off window installation on a location that sells hot dogs…whaaat?!

Hey, it can happen.

Nonetheless fill out the information and try to emphasize exactly what you’re ‘giving’ away (from free coffee to a discount on a product/service).

When you have filled out all the necessary boxes then click update ans save it.

Wait…Wait…SEARCH!

Google Coupon Finished

{click image for better resolution}

Ask my wife and when it comes to online business I want instant gratification. I want a response instantly. If I don’t get it I can become a bear to be around. I’ve gotten better but nonetheless after you’ve input all the information and you think the coupon will show up instantaneously – stop the expectations. While it might show as being approved and you’re all set Google still needs to go through and updates its servers.

So give it some time – if you need to do a coupon quickly then forget it. I’ve read thru the Google forums that it can take up to a week for a coupon to appear. I decided after searching all night for it to give it a rest and checked for thing this morning.

The Coupon Is There, Right?

Searching For The Coupon

{click image for better resolution}

Don’t be like me and expect to see the coupon on the first result when your business comes up. That’s not the way it was set up.

In reality a future (possible) customer will be click on “More Information” to find out…well, more information on your business to see everything from what people are saying about you to what kind of products and or services you offer.

So, don’t automatically assume, as I did, first thing this morning when I searched for the business and didn’t see the coupon.

From when you click on “More Information” it is here that you will hopefully see the fruits of your labor.

My Coupon Is Alive

My Coupon!!!

{click image for better resolution}

After you geek out and try to high five your computer screen (Hey! I know I’m not the only one…right?) examine how people are viewing the information.

Does it look right – does the headline capture your attention? The last thing you want to do is go back and delete the coupon and start all over.

That’s one of the good things about the set up of the coupon it gives you an actual read out of what the coupon will look like. Yet, if you are anything like me you might not believe that until it’s actually live and people are calling you up asking about the coupon (it does happen so be ready)

So, how does the coupon look when it’s all said and done?

Ah I’m so glad you asked because now all someone has to do is actually click on the coupon link and….

The Final Result

The Result of Hard Work

{click image for better resolution}

Done – Done – Done!

Test it out for your own business and check out the results. I will be looking over the Dayton Chess Club to see how many people use the coupon before it expires.

Don’t forget to push the coupon out on your site as well – I’ll cover this in a future post later this week.

Let me know how it works for you and your business. I’m always eager to hear how well (or at all) works out in these tough times.