Google My Business designed to boost traders’ online presence

Image from the Facebook account of Google My Business

MANILA, Philippines — More local businesses in the Philippines will now have the chance to enhance its online presence by using Google My Business.

Google My Business will verify local businesses and get them listed on Google Maps and Google Search.

With this feature, Google My Business will work with PLDT Enterprise and the Department of Trade and Industry to “digitize” businesses through Negosyo Centers.

Google will also collaborate with the Department of Tourism to ensure that tourism establishments can be found online.

Google My Business will also allow businesses to create a mobile website for free – which customized with themes, photos, and text.

Gabby Roxas, Google Philippines country marketing head, said putting up the website would be easy.

“It is as easy as creating slides for in some cases like using PowerPoint creating images what post and text to put in,” Roxas told reporters on Wednesday after a Google for Philippines event in Parañaque City.

Roxas added that businesses need not worry about hiring agencies when putting up websites.

“I think yung fear ng mga tao pag gagawa ka ng website you have to work with an agency for you to code. At least this one is a page that is essential for users,” he said.

Kenneth Lingan, Google Philippines country head, said Google would use its technology to maximize businesses online presence as only 1 percent of businesses in the Philippines have online websites.

“The sad reality is only one percent of businesses in the Philippines have websites,” Lingan said. “We can harness technology to take on these challenges. We believe that we can use technology to help uplift the country and benefit every single Filipino.” /atm