New Google Australia exec to help SMEs with online advertising

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 30 October 2008 08:06

IT People - People

Google has named Julian Persaud as the newly-created role of head of online for Google Australia, responsible for helping SME to take advantage of online advertising.

Google says the move signals its continued focus on helping SMEs understand more about the opportunities presented by online advertising, particularly in an era of tight marketing budgets and a growing need for measurability and accountability.

Persaud's appointment follows the launch by Google of some new tools developed for Australian small businesses, including step-by-step guide to search marketing developed in Australia (www.10searchmarketingsteps.com.au).

According to Google, its research found that online advertising is the one marketing channel on which small businesses are planning to increase their spending over each of the next one, three and five years.

They cited three main factors in this decision to increase spending: the growing numbers of customers in Australia gaining internet access; cost-effectiveness; and the ability to geographically target.

"From talking to small businesses, we know there are various factors preventing some from thinking about online marketing – from being time poor, to not understanding the jargon - but we also know that once they get started, they can really change the shape of their business. It's a particularly valuable and cost-effective way to reach new customers when budgets are tight," Persaud said.

He added: "Research indicates that around 40 per cent of Australian small businesses have an active website, and a further 20 percent have a site under construction, so there's lots of Australian business owners seeing the benefit of getting online."

Persaud was previously head of business development at Google Australia and has spent his entire career in online businesses in roles at Yahoo! Search Marketing and UK auction house QXL.