Google offers free tools to help businesses
IT’S NO SECRET THAT 2020 HAS BEEN CHALLENGING FOR SOME BUSINESSES, BUT GOOGLE HAS FREE TOOLS TO HELP YOU CONNECT ONLINE WITH CUSTOMERS
By the end of 2021, Google has committed to help a million local businesses stay open by developing their online presence and knowhow. Covid-19, and the subsequent economic downturn, has been hugely challenging. Almost a quarter of UK businesses closed, or paused, during the first lockdown and 750,000 jobs were lost.
In the UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the British economy. They’re responsible for 60 per cent of employment and around half the turnover of the UK private sector*. Yet four out of every five SMEs have reported declining revenue this year. Businesses that were already behind in their use of digital have suffered a bigger decrease in productivity compared to their more digitally established, and often larger, counterparts.
Since 2015 Google has been supporting communities with digital skills training – which is why it’s offering extra support services throughout this difficult time. All free of charge and easy to sign up to.
It’s also aware of the huge variety of businesses that have struggled this year, from hairdressing salons trying to navigate their way through restrictions, to wedding venues with decreased capacity, to small shops with no online sales facility.
Google offers tailored programmes to help UK businesses to:
1) Be discoverable on Search and Maps via Google My Business. 2) Learn more about digital marketing and being successful online via Google Digital Garage webinars.
3) Get virtual face to face mentoring with industry experts via their partnership with Digital Boost.
WHAT IS GOOGLE MY BUSINESS?
Google My Business should be a priority for all UK businesses. This is a free service that allows you to manage your online presence and become more discoverable across the whole of Google, including Search and Maps.
It also allows you to, for example, switch to a takeaway or delivery service or share your menu online – something that’s been crucial for many hospitality businesses in lockdown.
Google My Business also allows you to interact with your customers, online. you can read and respond to reviews and upload photos, giving potential clients the reassurance of getting to know you ahead of making a purchase or contacting you.
The tool gives you access to insights that will help you understand where and how customers search for your business. You’ll also be able to track calls made directly from the phone number displayed in your listing, or in Maps.
This information is vital to developing the building blocks of a successful online strategy. It’s the
I make sure businesses leave a mentoring session with at least three things they can do straightaway Christine Braithwaite, Google mentor
easiest way for you to communicate with your customers. Organisations with a Google My Business profile are 13 times more likely to be found by consumers, yet only 36 per cent of SMEs have a verified Google My Business listing.
HELP WITH GOOGLE DIGITAL GARAGE
Developing online marketing skills has become a crucial step for most businesses this year.
Google Digital Garage offers more than 20 types of live webinars delivered by certified trainers. These sessions cover key tools and skills to help you grow and sustain your business.
The webinars last 60 minutes, including an interactive live Q&A for you to ask any questions. They are held weekly and popular topics include the following: Setting Up Your Online Shop
This guides you through market research, defining your unique selling point and creating your online store. Social Media Strategy
This helps you build a plan to reach new customers online. Find Customers on Google Maps Advice on how to drive local footfall to your business.
ONE-TO-ONE ADVICE VIA DIGITAL BOOST
UK businesses need more than a one-size-fits-all strategy. That’s why Google has partnered with Digital Boost to provide free expert help to support your needs, whether you need to set up a website, develop an online strategy or learn how to build content for YouTube. The mentors come from various backgrounds and will be matched according to your requirements when you sign up.