Even Twitter’s execs have admitted that their microblog platform is not as easy for new users to learn as it could be, and this is especially true for smaller businesses who have no idea how to run an official Twitter account for their company. To better help businesses navigate the murky waters of Twitter, the site has launched a new web and mobile app called Twitter Dashboard, which it describes as “a powerful tool to connect businesses with their fans, customers, and community.”

The new Dashboard includes a number of features that are common to third-party Twitter management tools like TweetDeck or Hootsuite, including the ability to schedule tweets and view social media analytics on metrics like engagement and impressions. The app also advises businesses on what they should share with their followers using curated tweet tips.

“Kickstart your creative process with Tweet tips geared just for businesses,” Twitter Product and Engineering Manager Noah Pepper wrote in a blog post. “They can help you start conversations and engage your audience in those moments when you’re not sure what to Tweet.”

“For example, if you work at a restaurant, a tip like, ‘Your team is as unique as your business. Tweet a surprising fact about one of your team members,’ might remind you to share some recent recognition your chef received. Or, if you’re an interior designer, seeing, ‘Share the love. Like and Retweet kind words from your customers,’ might prompt you to Retweet a customer’s excited reaction to one of your recent projects.”

The new Twitter Dashboard is currently available on the web and on iOS, and there is no word yet on if or when an Android version might be arriving.

Image courtesy of Twitter Inc