Google Alerts can help you keep track of important competitive developments - for free.

You can use Google Alerts to monitor your competitors, your industry and even your customers. This tool will alert you when information you want is posted to the web.

As blogs become more important, you’ll be amazed at what you can learn about your competition from your competition.

It doesn’t hurt to build a Google Alert on yourself and your own company – so you can see what people are saying about you. It's very simple to use.

Here's how to get started:

1-Go to http://www.google.com/alerts.
2-Enter the name and keywords you’d like to monitor.
3-Select the frequency of your updates – once a week or once a day? You decide.
4-Provide your email address and you’re ready to go.