To many, it seems obvious that all modern-day businesses have online presences. However, while 97% of Americans look for local services on the web, only 63% of small businesses have any information available there.
So while it may be true that “the nation’s 27.5 million small businesses comprise half the US GDP and create two-thirds of all new jobs,” they are also the ones who deal with the greatest number of difficulties. Therefore, the state of Missouri has joined forces with Google and Intuit for the new “Missouri Get Your Business Online” campaign.
The campaign offers a free, simply-built website to all small businesses in the state. The companies are also given a customized domain name and hosting for a year. When the year is up, the hosting will cost $4.99 a month, while the domain will cost $2 monthly. With the help of the project, the businesses will be able to claim their Google Places listing, as well as set up free business email accounts through Google Apps.
According to Jim Heeter, the president and CEO of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, “Because more than 90 percent of our members are small businesses, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce understands the impact that small businesses have on the local economy, and we know that having a Web presence is becoming more and more important to the success of small businesses. Google’s free resources to help get Missouri businesses online represent a significant opportunity for our region. We are thrilled to be partnering with Google on the initiative.”