Google India Aims To Get 50,000 Gujarat SMEs Online

Search giant Google is keen to promote the Indian SME segment and plans to get online some 50,000 small and medium enterprises in Gujarat, by the end of 2014. As part of Google India’s national campaign called India, Get Your Business Online, this initiative will offer free websites and hosting services to Gujarat-based SMEs, in a bid to bridge the connectivity divide that hinders small businesses from accessing the global market.

Google India and HostGator are also involved in a special project in which the partners explored traditional industries like textile, jewellery and artefacts, located in the popular markets of Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot. In addition to developing websites for 5,000 small businesses under this project, Google India also created Google Maps listings and Google+ business pages for these firms. They can also make use of 24x7 customer support to manage their websites and get free online advertising credit that can be used on Google search to promote their businesses online.

Commenting on the project, Rajan Anandan, vice-president and managing director of Google India, said, “The initiative aims to boost the SME ecosystem by giving them a simple, effective and free platform to get their business online. We aim to get 50,000 SMEs online, which will dramatically change the business landscape and opportunities for SMEs in Gujarat.

“Our research has shown that SMEs, who use the Internet, see revenue growth of 51% and raise in profits by 49%. Gujarat already represents 10% of the total Internet population in the country and houses many export-oriented businesses. By being present on the Internet, they can make the world their market and continue to boost the economy of the country,” he added.