By Noah Rothstein
Google and YouTube have teamed up to help small businesses connect with more customers.
On Thursday, June 24 at 12 P.M. ET, YouTube is set to have its very first Small Biz Day kicking off the Google for Small Business channel, a part of Google’s International Small Business Week. The event is a new opportunity to include inspiring panels and helpful workshops, shop unique products live, and explore how YouTube can help small businesses grow.
“All across Google, we’ve been working on a variety of new initiatives to make it even simpler for small businesses to use digital tools to succeed,” Mary Ellen Coe, President of Google Customer Solutions, wrote in a blog post.
Blogilates founder Cassey Ho will host, joined by business owners and YouTube creators Molly Burke, Erin on Demand, and TheDomesticGeek. The group will share advice via a how-to workshop, panel conversations, and resources.
YouTube also introduced a simplified way to create video ad campaigns on its platform.
Brands can upload their video ad, target the specific audience they want to reach, and tailor their budget. These new updates allow small businesses to kick off a campaign within minutes and more easily measure the performance of their campaigns.
“According to survey data, 72% of small businesses in the U.S. state that YouTube helps them boost their online presence, using it as a tool to spotlight their products and services,” Vice president of ads brand and activation marketing Kate Stanford wrote in a blog post.
Google is adding more features to search and Google Maps to enable food businesses, local service businesses, and retailers to adjust how they appear to and connect with Google users, including adding specific services, such as beard trimming and sharing menus, and accepting food orders.
Businesses using e-commerce platforms GoDaddy, Shopify, Square, and WooCommerce can now show their products across Google free-of-charge.
