These businesses were featured at a training event hosted by Google, Business SA and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Adelaide yesterday. More than 100 small business owners and operators came along to hear from digital experts, including Google Australia’s Head of Engineering Alan Noble, about how they can optimise their business’s online presence and marketing for the digital world.
Minister for Industry, Science and Innovation, Hon Christopher Pyne MP opened the event and spoke about the potential for technology to boost businesses in South Australia. He also shared his own experience of using Google to find and then navigate to a camera shop when recently traveling overseas with his family!
Adelaide already has its fair share of online champions. Steve Cox from Magic Steam Dry Cleaning spoke at the event about how he used AdWords to expand the reach of his business and target new customers in the commercial sector.
Aaron Buchan from Cross Training Systems shared his experience with Google Street View for Business, which has helped to bring in new clients by allowing them to virtually step inside his gym with just a few swipes on their phone. Guests were able to view some of the inside business imagery on the Liquid Galaxy display.
The potential for Australian businesses is huge. Research from Deloitte reveals SMBs that are online are twice as likely to be growing and four times as likely to be hiring staff. Another report commissioned by Google last year found that Australian small businesses could unlock almost $50 billion in additional output over the next ten years by making better use of the internet and mobile technologies.
With people increasingly using their mobiles to search for information and make purchases, mobile site design is as important as ever. Businesses had the chance to test how mobile friendly their websites are and get tips on how to improve mobile presence.
Thinking about what this means for your business? You can find out more about getting online and get started today at Google My Business.