Ever thought about your online business presence? Know anything about search engine optimisation? Google AdWords? Want your business to be in the top three search results on a page?

Anyone can do Google AdWords, the pay per click listings that appear at the top of search pages, but only trusted agencies can earn Google’s seal of approval and quality is the key to becoming a Google Partner. The Google Partner badge shows the world that Google trusts the company and that potential clients can too.

So it’s no small feat that My Mustard, a small Hertfordshire based online advertising agency, has just been awarded the coveted title of Google Partner. My Mustard invested over half a million pounds of clients’ money with Google AdWords last year and the return on client investment was just over £10million.

June Cory, owner of My Mustard said: “Our figures sound a lot but in London agency terms it’s probably quite small. However, we are right on the doorstep for many successful regional businesses and Google Partner status not only demonstrates our expertise but shows that we are doing a good job for our clients.”

Achieving Google Partner status is not supposed to be easy and the criteria are extremely tough. Google demands a track record of high-quality results demonstrating that the agency has mastered the skills required to be effective.

Being a Google Partner says a lot about an agency, they must be a healthy, competitive and trustworthy business in addition to demonstrating AdWords excellence.

June added: “I am delighted that My Mustard is one of the first pay per click agencies in Hertfordshire to be awarded Google’s new seal of approval. Achieving Google Partner status is very satisfying and I thank our clients for the trust they put in us to deliver results on their behalf.”

The Chamber recently welcomed council leader Cllr Julian Daly and chief executive James Blake from St Albans district council to talk to our members about local issues that are affecting business.

We must congratulate the immediate success and popularity of the Christmas German Market in the Vintry Garden in the grounds of our spectacular Cathedral.

The entire area is full of festive cheer with so many local independent retailers taking part and working together for the benefit of us all. I know exactly where I will be doing my Christmas shopping this year!

The first networking event of 2014 is a business breakfast at The Quality Hotel, St Albans, on January 15 which is kindly sponsored by Collinson Hall.

This will be a dynamic business breakfast where St Albans Film Festival Director Leoni Kibbey will reveal the festival’s aims and visions for the future and how this can benefit the city.

Discover how the festival is a vibrant high quality arts event which is about more than just film and find out ways your business can be a part of it. Plus, as the festival prepares for its second year, get a first sneak preview of what is to come in 2014!

Book now online if you would like to secure a place.

We welcome the following new businesses to the Chamber: Intoto Kitchens, NHA Macintyre Hudson, Quality Solicitors Bretherton Law and Assign It Ltd.