Google Canada hosted the Get Your Business Online Event on Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 at the Distillery District in The Fermenting Cellar which was actually the very first Dragon’s Den set as Kevin O’Leary told guests.
Chris O’Neill, Managing Director of Google Canada was O’Leary’s first guest to approach the stage. O’Neill stated that “there is a huge gap in Canada between where consumers spend their time and where small businesses are, and not having a website today is like not having a phone number.”
According to a recent study made by Google, there are over half of small businesses that do not have a website. O’Neill stated that the reason being is because “technophobia and costs are the biggest barriers” for these small businesses today. This is when Google announced they are offering free websites and .ca domains for any small business owner in Canada. This will help these business owners take a step forward in having their business online.
Google’s initiative is supported by multiple Canadian partners who also are focusing on helping small businesses thrive. These partners and also Kevin O’Leary’s guests on the live webcast on Tuesday were representatives from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, CIRA, RBC, Rogers, Silver Lining and The Globe and Mail.
As the event ended and Google invited all guests for food and beverages, O’Leary stood on the stage to shake entrepreneurs’ hands. Fortunate enough Will Webb, our CEO of Innate Media Group, stood tall shaking O’Leary’s hand.
For more information on how to get your small business online for FREE, visit http://www.Gybo.ca.
