Chicago Inno: Google Launches New Chicago Program to Help Small Businesses Build their Online Presence

The following article appeared in Chicago Inno on April 28, 2015. A link to the article can be found here.

By Will Flanagan

In the tech industry, where businesses are built entirely for and on the Web, a strong online presence is often taken for granted. But there are still a number of small businesses in the city of Chicago without a website or the skills to leverage the internet as a marketing tool. In fact, only 37% of businesses have claimed a local listing on a search engine.

That's why Google is launching the Let's Put Our Cities on the Map Program in the Windy City. The Program is designed to help small businesses build their online presence via a free website and listings on Google Maps and Search. At a variety of workshops, Google will also provide customized domain names, free web hosting for a year, and other free training and resources.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley was on hand for the launch. "By helping businesses take the critical step of launching online, this initiative not only opens up economic opportunities for Chicago small business owners, but expands and enriches the marketplace for consumers who can now experience some of Chicago's local treasures," said Quigley in a statement.

The goal of the program is to make sure that all local businesses can be found by their customers online. Google's program is committed to getting these businesses online quickly, easily, and for free.

Explained Soo Young Kim, Head of Google's Get Your Business Online Program, "We want Chicago small businesses to be online and on the map to continue shaping communities around the country."

To sign up for this program and update your business listing, go to www.gybo.com.