How Google and the Iowa secretary of state hope to lift the profile of Iowa companies.
A Big Signal Boost for Iowa Small Businesses?
Iowa small businesses are getting put on the map.
Google and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate are partnering up
to help local businesses grow their online presence and draw in more customers,
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.
The state will work with the search engine giant as part of its
“Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map” program. The initiative is meant to help
small businesses get found on Google Search and Google Maps, secure domain
names, and build websites, according to The Gazette. The move comes as the
number of small businesses in the state continues to rise.
“Last year, we had a record number of new business filings in
the state, surpassing the 20,000 mark,” Pate told The Cedar Rapids Gazette.
“This partnership with Google will help these businesses get online and reach
more customers.”
Small business owners will have access to Google resources such
as a free online website-building tool, free tutorials on Google Maps,
information on how owners can get their businesses registered on Google, and
more, according to the initiative’s website.
“This partnership is a great opportunity to show the strong
collaboration within our state to bring small businesses the best assistance to
help them grow and thrive,” Lisa Shimkat, Iowa director of America’s Small
Business Development Centers, told The
Gazette.
