Google’s program “Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map” came to Syracuse last week. The Internet giant has a goal of encouraging more small and medium sized businesses to take advantage of the web.
Dozens of owners of small- and medium-sized businesses sat along long tables, with laptops glowing, at SKY Armory last week, getting first-hand tips about how to use tools in the Google stable to spur business. They ranged from the novice, to people who work with computers every day.
William Floyd, head of external affairs for Google New York, wants to reach all these people, and get them on board with the tricks of the trade that will bring business in the door.
“Small- and medium-sized businesses that are on the Internet, they grow faster, they hire more people and that’s really critical to the economy,” said Floyd.
So with the Google logo ever present -- from cups, to lanyards, to giant signs -- Google representatives taught the tools of the Internet giant. One thing many businesses shy away from on their websites, says Floyd, is Google maps.
"What we’ve shown in our research is, that four out of five mobile users are searching for local products and services in that moment. So things like Google maps can be critical into turning a search into a sale," said Floyd.
That’s what Donna Powell is hoping for. The Syracuse businesswoman has founded Donna’s Treats, and is trying to break into the food catering business.
"I figure if I get on Google maps, not only it’ll draw people to my website, but it’ll see what I’m offering, because there are a lot of people offering food products, but I’m going more towards the vegan, gluten-free, also everyday meals, but I’m trying to tap into that market too,” said Powell.
And she admits all the tech talk is a challenge to someone who’s not very tech savvy.
“I’ve been out of school for 30 years now. It’s kind of hard. I’ve lost my website a couple of times. But I’m figuring it out,” said Powell.
Tips are also helpful for people who’ve grown up with the Internet. Heather Bucalos, an RN from Binghamton, starting a business as a breastfeeding coach, says she will use what she’s learned to take promoting her business in a different direction.
"I’ve been using Facebook, and I was told, my target market is probably not on Facebook right now. I feel a little old saying that, because I thought I was hip and with it; I’m only 31. But I was told my target market is using Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram,” said Bucalos.
Glen Allen, a freelance software developer from Liverpool, figures there’s always something to learn, even if you’re pretty computer savvy.
"Like for example, the Google trends tool, prior to today, the way I was doing it was not user friendly and complicated, and the trends tool seemed simple and easy to use. So I’m going to be exploring that,” said Allen.
Google is taking these training sessions across the country. This is the second one in New York state. Floyd says it’s part of Google’s goal to get 30,000 new small- and medium-sized businesses on the web nationwide.
"Because what our research has shown, although lots of people are searching for goods and services, by and large, small and medium sized businesses don’t even have a presence on the web. So the challenge for us, at least for the foreseeable future is to get all of those businesses online.”
