Google, the giant search engine, is asking the small business sector to establish a digital presence as that would benefit it in its growth and survival. Google says that if you do not have an online presence than you would find it hard to survive the competition.

Google has stated that about 97% of Americans hit the internet to search for products and services they need. But alarmingly, only one-third of US businesses have an online presence; something which proves a barrier between a potential client and the business owner.

The chief reasons why small businesses refrain from setting up their own websites can be attributed to loss of time and cost. There is a general notion amongst the small business owners that setting up a website and maintaining it is a difficult job, a tedious and time-consuming affair and can be pocket-pinching.

Google, in order to dispel such wrong notions and highlight the significance of a digital presence, has decided to offer free websites to small businesses for one year. Google has run seminars in Kansas City and is giving away free websites to a host of small entrepreneurs. It has given away more than 1000 websites to such small entrepreneurs. More such seminars are in pipeline with one to be held in September in Iowa.

Many small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, who hitherto never thought of having a business website, are now being encouraged to go online. Google’s offer includes a cost-free website for one year. After the year is over, the firm can choose to keep the site alive by paying a monthly fee of about $7.