Google evangelizes web sites for small businesses.
Remember all those getonline.com domain names Google registered last month?
Now we know what they’re for, and it’s good news for domain name owners.
Google is going state-to-state, city-to-city to help small businesses get online. They’ve teamed up with Intuit to offer a web site builder, domain name, web hosting, and Google Places listing free for a year.
Right now they’re in Austin holding in-person workshops to help businesses get started. Google has advertised the workshops extensively around town.
According to TexasGetOnline.com, over half of Texas businesses don’t have a web site.
To be sure, you should expect these businesses that don’t have web sites to decide they need to buy an existing domain rather than register an available one. But as more businesses get online they’ll use more web services. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Michele says
Andrew
This is pretty much exactly what they have been doing in other markets
Michele
Andrew Allemann says
@ Michele – I recall you saying that Blacknight is partnered with them in Ireland.
120 Volt Single Speed Jigsaw says
It’s been amazing to me also how many not “local” businesses still don’t even advertise Online.
If you do a search for Fishing Reels at Google there is not one company promoting their fishing reels, only retailers.
You’d think they’d advertise if just for brand exposure, even if they let the retailers make the sales.
Almost 20 years later after the Web starting taking off, big and small businesses are NOT Online. It’s mostly a handful of retailers and quite a few hard working hustlers that have made their own sites or marketing methods work.
It takes a generation I suppose for old-school business eggheads to retire and let the more-in-tune and eager younger generation take the reins, and business, away from them.
Michael says
Good to gear that Google cares about the small local businesses.
Of course by just placing this kind of website online won’t allow small businesses to be heard in the market so hopefully Google will bring those sites in front of small business owners in one way or another
PM says
we have this in Canada too
http://www.gybo.ca/
Rob Sequin says
Fantastic idea for Google to do this.
It’s a win/win for everybody.
Win for Google with more Adwords sales no doubt.
Win for the business because they will get more customers.
Win for domain owners since I would assume many of these late comers will want a domain that is already taken.
Win for domain buyer brokers like me who help people buy registered domains.
I looked at the flyer. Under How to Prepare, it says:
Select your website address.
Be sure to write down a few alternatives in case your top choices are already taken.
END
Yes… just in case your top choices are already taken 🙂
patrick says
@ Rob sequin.
Your exactly right that is what i did when i heard about it here in Canada first thing i noticed was pick your domain so back to business as usual a good name has value.
Michele says
@Andrew
Sorry for the delayed reply – I was on holiday 🙂
Yes – we’re the partner for the initiative in Ireland: http://www.gettingbusinessonline.ie/
If you have any questions you know where to find me 🙂
Regards
Michele