Google heads up new initiative to get 100,000 UK businesses online

With an estimated 40 million people now online in the UK, establishing an online presence is key for any small business. A website is a great way to reach new customers, showcase your products and services, take orders and grow your business.

But if you don’t have a website, setting one up can be a daunting and potentially expensive task for many small businesses. However, a new joint initiative launched this week by Google, Enterprise UK, BT and e-skills UK with support from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) aims to change that.

Getting British Business Online (GBBO) wants to get 100,000 UK small businesses online by the end of 2010. To do this, they are not only helping SMEs create their own websites, but also teaching them about the opportunities and benefits the internet can offer small businesses.

For those businesses that don’t have a website, the GBBO project will provide a free .co.uk web address and show you how to quickly and easily set up a customised, professional website. Not only is the service free, but it should take you just 20 minutes to do and the process doesn’t require any computer skills.

For businesses already online, the project can offer you tips on improving existing websites, such as setting up PayPal for online transactions and using Google Analytics to see how customers are using your site. It can also show you effective ways to drive more potential customers to your site.

“There has never been a better time for small businesses to use the Internet, enabling them to reach new customers in new markets,” said the UK managing director of Google, Matt Brittin. “We hope a free, easy-to-create website will give small businesses the boost they need to get up and running online.”

For more information about GBBO or to set up a website for your business, visit www.gbbo.co.uk.

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