Google has been working double-time launching new products over the last few months. From Google Wave to Google Voice, to Social Search and now Google Buzz, I think that now is a good time for small businesses to reserve a Gmail account if they haven’t already. I haven’t had the chance yet to look too deeply into their products, but I am big believer in small businesses being proactive and protecting their online brand from squatters. Unlike Google Wave, Google Buzz requires a Gmail account. I am hoping that Google Voice and eventually Google Wave will also be tied to Gmail accounts.
That said, take 5 minutes and protect your Google brand. My company works a lot with nonprofits, so in addition to all my profiles for small businesses, I also created and manage twitter.com/nonprofitorgs, facebook.com/nonprofitorgs and youtube.com/nonprofitorgs and just grabbed nonprofitorgs@gmail.com. Unlike Twitter and YouTube, there’s still a pretty good chance that your username is available in Gmail, though smallbusinesses, smallbusiness, smbusinesses was not. I didn’t see that one coming. 
Finally, once you have your new Gmail account, sign up for beta invite to Google Voice. I am hoping Google Voice will enable small businesses to utilize group texting for free or at a very low-cost… and be connected somehow to Buzz for Mobile.
Related Links:
HOW TO: Protect Your Small Business from Social Media Squatters
Great Wall of Facebook: The Social Network’s Plan to Dominate the Web – And Keep Google Out
Google Prepares for Facebook Assault
Tagged: Google
