Google Alerts

Want to keep up on the latest news in your industry, or keep tabs on a competitor? Google Alerts allows you to stay informed about whatever you want. Google Alerts will send you email pertaining to the search query that you want to stay informed about. This tool can help you keep on the edge your market and allow you to stay ahead of the competition. With this free service from Google, you can receive email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.) based on your queries. You should already have Google Alerts set up for your online store name, but it's important to set up alerts for your competition as well. You can use Google Alerts to monitor anything on the Web. Such as:

• Content Ideas
Using Google Alerts, you keep up with your niche and find the latest news, trends, etc. regarding the subject you blog about. This can be a handy tool for bloggers who are strapped for content ideas, as monitoring what’s going on in your niche can help you find topics to write about.
• Brand Monitoring
Google Alerts can help you monitor what’s being said about, your blog and/or your business. You can set up Google Alerts to monitor certain keywords, such as your blog name, your business name and your personal name, and they will email you anytime they find those keywords in their search.
• Keep track of Competition
Keeping track of the competition in your niche can help you be a better blogger, and ensure you’re staying as up to date in your niche as your competitors are. You can set up Google Alerts to include specific keywords, like your biggest competitors’ names, company names and blogs so you can see what they are doing and when they are doing it.
• Know when Others Link to your Blog
Set up a Google Alert with your blog address. When people link to your blog via that address, Google Alerts will send you an email. This is an easy way to keep track of how many people are linking to you. The more people linking to you, the more likely it is they’re interested in what you are offering. This can help you forge new business relationships, acquire customers or increase your following.