Hint: it’s not Apple or Facebook. This article from Business Insider got me thinking. The author makes the case that Amazon is Google’s chief rival to watch over the next few years.
Why?
Google, as a search company, primarily makes its money from ads when people search for things online, before they make a purchase.
But there is a growing trend among consumers who skip Google and go directly to Amazon to find what they are looking for. ComScore says search queries on Amazon.com are up 73% over last year.
And on mobile devices, many people just use the Amazon App and buy items directly with one-click. When you add the Kindle and Amazon Phone to the mix, and things could get really interesting.
How Can You Take Advantage Of This Trend?
So this got me thinking. What if this is true? I spend a lot of time making sure I have unique, valuable content on my blog so that I show up in Google search results that are related to what I do. If Amazon actually does displace some of Google’s mindshare with consumers, how can I have a “footprint” on Amazon?
My approach on Google is to share everything I know on my blog in the form of videos and tutorials. As people learn from me and begin to trust me, some of them buy my products when it makes sense for them. I don’t have to sell, and they get a product and support that saves them time and money.
So, I have an idea for how to provide valuable content on Amazon too. In fact I have some friends who are already doing this. Anyone care to guess what it is? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
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Article by » Don Campbell
Don is an entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley. He founded Expand2Web and is the publisher of the Expand2Web Blog and the SmallBiz WordPress Theme.
Don has written 247 articles on Expand2Web
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Good insight, Don – hmm. Reviews? Kindle products?
Amazon sells such a wide variety of products these days, it could be almost anything, couldn’t it? Kindle books, regular books, CDs, DVDs, — the list could go on and on ..
MP3 downloads … ?
Yes, I’m working on a Kindle book. It’s a great opportunity and Amazon is selling more Kindle books than paper books now.
Don, since you share a lot through videos, maybe take advantage of the Amazon video reviews?
That’s an excellent idea Stan.
I could leave video reviews of some of my favorite business books, for example. Thanks for sharing this.
Keep these ideas coming – maybe we can all find a few ideas that will work for us.
Don:
It seems everyone and their mother is hopping on this Amazon Kindle publishing bandwagon – and for good reason. My former business partner and I published a couple Kindle books on Google Places and Local SEO. We gave the books away for free for a while and then started charging for them. In one weekend alone, we had over 200 downloads! It was crazy.
Interestingly enough, we didn’t generate any sales (or even leads) from all the books we “sold” but it helped get us in front of a lot of people. You also get the added benefit of ranking well in Google. Our Kindle books ranked within the top 5 spots of Google for a variety of keywords we were targeting.
Travis Van Slooten
You certainly have me thinking. Perhaps its time for us to start thinking the Kindle books route. Thanks for getting me thinking.
I’m somewhat ashamed to admit this, but I sometimes feel a sort of glee just hearing that even big ol’ Google has fears just like the rest of us.
And yes, my guess was Kindle. Where do you see this trend going in the next 3 – 5 years?
It will certainly be interesting. People are expecting Amazon to announce a smartphone tomorrow.
Hi Don,
I some times search Amazon directly bypassing Google altogether. Amazon is indeed a threat for Google, but not a big one, in my opinion. Google’s search engine is so much bigger and people find more options there.
Matthew