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Google offers free websites to SMEs
Global internet giant Google has launched an initiative under which it plans to offer free websites to about 500,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India, helping them create online presence for more business opportunities.
Global internet giant Google has launched an initiative under which it plans to offer free websites to about 500,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India, helping them create online presence for more business opportunities.
While India is home to an estimated 8 million small & medium businesses, only 400,000 have a website, Google said in a statement. For Google, more content online can result in search-based advertisement opportunities. Small firms often use Google ads for cost-effective sales promotion.
Small business owners in India can log on to www.indiagetonline.in for this. They would need to submit their PAN (Permanent Account Number) and other tax-related details for verification, after which they would be provided with an online tool for a free website and web hosting service for one year. After a year, website owners will have to pay a charge if they wish to renew their domain name.
Under the initiative, all interested businesses would also get free email addresses and advertising related benefits.
“Google has always believed in power of the internet to help small businesses thrive and to make people’s lives easier by making information more accessible and useful,” said Nikesh Arora, senior vice-president & chief business officer, Google. “We have received tremendous response to this initiative in other countries.”
