Google Australia offers free search marketing to SMBs

Peter Dinham
Thursday, 23 April 2009 11:56

Business IT - Technology

Google’s initiative was welcomed by the Council of Small Business of Australia, with CEO, Jaye Radisich, saying that the initiative would give many small businesses a kick-start in the important online environment and potentially put millions into the small business sector.

“We'd like to see more companies supporting Australian small business with creative offerings like this, as this will boost the overall economy and directly assist a sector that employs over four million Australians."

Google says that both online and "bricks-and-mortar" businesses will benefit from the
stimulus offer, and Julian Persaud says that research shows that many Australians are doing their
research online and then heading in-store to buy.

“Monash's Australian Centre for Retail Studies has found that 50 per cent of Australian shoppers
research their retail purchases online before they get to the store to buy. The same trend is evident for Australians researching holidays, and even businesses buying corporate supplies.

"In Australia, we've seen strong growth in search queries over the past 12 months. Australians are going online to research their purchases more carefully, whether it's a new lamp, a restaurant booking or a business stationery supplier.”

Persaud says Google is in a great position to help all Australian businesses “capitalise on this increased activity."