Google hails Liverpool as success
Search engine giant Google says it may launch campaigns in other cities, after the success of its Liverpool project to get businesses online.
The search engine giant spent three months in Liverpool, holding a series of events and workshops to help firms get their first websites or develop their existing ones.
It was the first time Google has spent so much time in one city. It chose Liverpool because it lagged behind rival cities in terms of the number of businesses online.
Google says it has advised more than 1,500 businesses through its “Juice Bar” travelling advice centres and with its free e-skills workshops.
The company said: “With Liverpool proving a clear success, Google will now consider taking the Getting Business Online programme elsewhere in the UK to support other regions to improve their online presence.
“Google’s aim was not only to support businesses to help grow their own businesses online, but also enable them to boost their local digital economy.”
Google says four out of ten small businesses in the UK do not have a website, and so are missing out on potential customers around the world.
Launching Google’s Liverpool campaign in September, the company’s UK managing director, Matt Brittin, told an audience in the city that businesses that are online are growing four times faster than those who stay offline.
Google said its Juice Bars proved most popular with the retail sector, with almost 200 retailers visiting one of the bars.
The service industry followed, with health and beauty in third place.
Emma Thorn, project manager of Getting Liverpool Business Online at Google UK, said: “There is a lot of untapped potential for small businesses on the internet, and we hope that our project in Liverpool has demonstrated how a wide variety of industries can benefit from having an online presence.
“It’s clear from the people we’ve spoken to during our Getting Liverpool Business Online programme that there is huge potential for online growth in the city.
“We hope that the work we’ve done and events we’ve held help the hundreds of businesses we’ve met to grow and become successful online, and in turn help boost Liverpool’s economy.”
Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: “There is strong evidence that no matter how small the business, or in what sector it operates, even a basic understanding of how to exploit web and email technology is a real driver for growth.
“We worked closely with Google because it was another opportunity to reach out to our businesses to help them prove their efficiency through better use of technology.
“A solid base of growing businesses is fundamental to the health of the city region.”
Downtown Liverpool In Business chairman, Frank McKenna, said: “Having Google in Liverpool over the past few months has been a great help to SMEs in the region.
“Having spoken to various businesses who have attended the Google Juice Bar, it is clear they found it beneficial in helping them develop their online presence, and have been given the confidence to promote and market their business online.”
Entrepreneurs who used the Juice Bars included jewellery designer Benna Harry, who runs an online store.
Jonathan Paxton, managing director of Knowsley-based cleaning products specialist Kiam Products, said: “I’d urge other businesses to get online – it can be the saving and making of your business.”
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