Business is all about connecting with customers - wherever they are. They can find you on Google Search and Maps, but your website is where they learn the most. As per industry reports, with over 400 million Indians online, and approximately 300 million of them on smartphones, the internet has emerged as the go-to destination to research and buy. However, 32% of small businesses in India* are completely offline. That means they are missing out on many potential customers.
Small business owners tell us that building a website is complex, expensive, and time-consuming. We hear you, so we’re introducing a new simple, free, and fast way to build a website through Google My Business.
Small business owners tell us that building a website is complex, expensive, and time-consuming. We hear you, so we’re introducing a new simple, free, and fast way to build a website through Google My Business.
With Google My Business, websites are now for everyone - no business is too small. For instance, Pet Palace Dog Hostel has been a part of the pilot project in India. They are based out of Pune, Maharashtra and operate six pet hostels. Pet Project Hostel created a website through Google My Business, and within a few months it has garnered close to 10,000 visits. Similarly Ravi, a Mehndi artist based in NOIDA, UP created a site a few months back and since then it has already received over 6,000 visits.
Using Google My Business, you can create your first website for free, right from your phone in less than 10 minutes. It’s so easy it basically creates itself. We use your Google listing to build the site, taking care of the design and making sure your website is found in Search and Maps.
Our website builder makes it easy to:
- Create a well-designed site that looks great and runs smoothly wherever and however people find it
- Stand out online by choosing a design theme, adding your photos, and describing what’s unique about your business
- Get a free domain from Google or buy your own with Google Domains right from Google My Business
- Connect with customers by telling them exactly what you want them to do next, like call your business, book an appointment, or sign up for your mailing list
- Manage everything in one place whether you’re on desktop, mobile, or the Google My Business app
- Earn new business from AdWords Express and your expanded presence online
In India, you can build a templated and editable website in ten languages - English, Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Kannada, and Malayalam. Over 120,000 Indian businesses are already a part of the pilot program that has been running for the last five months.
No matter what kind of business you own - from an eyeglass shop to a restaurant - a website is a powerful tool to share your business story with your customers, and engage with new customers, even beyond the boundaries of your physical location. People will find you for all kinds of reasons, such as getting your address or seeing photos of what your shop looks like, and you'll be able to grow your business.
Here at Google, we believe in helping local businesses grow their footprint online, and we try to make it as easy as possible. You’ve come this far, so we know you believe in your business. Now make your family and friends proud by showing off your own website, and connect with people locally and around the world.
Posted by Shalini Girish, Director - Google Marketing Solutions, Google India