Google has launched a regional campaign to provide free workshops and one-to-one digital consultations to businesses in Liverpool, as the search giant looks to tap into the local market.
The pilot project, called the ‘Google Juice Bar’, runs over 3 months. It has been set up to help the local economy increase its online presence including how to “build a website in 15 minutes”. If successful, the scheme will be rolled out around the UK.
Across the wider North West region, Google staff will support a new technology hub, DoES Liverpool, in a bid to work more closely with software developers across the area.
The scheme is the latest initiative in a charm offensive by Google, which is trying to shake off allegations that it has grown too powerful and predatory.
This week, 500 entrepreneurs will hear from Google UK’s managing director, Matt Brittin, who’ll describe what will be available during the trial.
“The Internet provides exciting opportunities for businesses of any size to grow. We’re excited to kick off our campaign in Liverpool and show business owners how simply this can be done. Making small tweaks to a website or simply getting online can make a big difference to the growth and revenue of any business,” he said.
“This is the first time we have ever run such a large programme of events aimed at helping one city, and we’ll be working with our partners to make a real difference to Liverpool’s Internet economy over the coming months.”
It’s anticipated that 1500 individuals will be helped by the mobile “Google Juice Bar.”
Liverpool’s digital economy is well behind other cities including Manchester and Leeds. Smaller businesses will be given advice on how to set up their first website, while larger companies will be shown how to improve their existing online presence and digital marketing.
“During the current economic difficulty facing the country it is increasingly important to support small and medium sized businesses. That is why it is fantastic to see Google UK are staging workshops and events across Liverpool and Merseyside aimed at helping local businesses to make the best use of the internet and boost the economic growth of the local business community,” said Maria Eagle MP, Garston and Halewood.
