Google Offering Free Domains, Websites and Training

17 replies
On Thursday Google launched a program called "California Get Your Business Online" that offers small businesses the opportunity to get a free customizable website, as well as access to in-person training on how to build a successful online business. Google will buy the domain name and provide free hosting for the first year, then businesses will pay $2 monthly for the domain name and $4.99 monthly for Web hosting.

www.CaliforniaGetOnline.com
#domains #free #google #offering #training #websites
  • Profile picture of the author wilder1047
    They've done this in a few cities prior to this launch.

    I don't know how much traction it's getting.. there's always been free website builders out there, but few people want to actually hunker down and do it.

    I signed up for it to see what it was all about, and it does mention ways to get found online, it gives the DIY route but also recommends outsourcing to a professional, as the SEO landscape is constantly changing.

    I don't think it gets any better then 3rd party validation for our services then getting it from Google themselves.
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  • Profile picture of the author HvilleSEO
    They have domains for all 50 states I believe (stategetonline.com)

    It launched in Texas sometime last year.
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  • Profile picture of the author NetEmpire
    Google is planning to really blitz media with their California offering, where the previous markets North Carolina, Michigan and Georgia, were testing grounds and much smaller.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    Google is always up to something. This would be great except I agree with what we mentioned above. Business owners just don't have the time to sit in front of their computer and build a website. They wouldn't even know where to start. Even if there is training available to them they are still going to have to commit a substantial amount of time to doing this which they just don't have.

    I'm anxious to see how this turns out.

    Sean
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    • Profile picture of the author NetEmpire
      Originally Posted by Seantrepreneur View Post

      Google is always up to something. This would be great except I agree with what we mentioned above. Business owners just don't have the time to sit in front of their computer and build a website. They wouldn't even know where to start. Even if there is training available to them they are still going to have to commit a substantial amount of time to doing this which they just don't have.

      I'm anxious to see how this turns out.

      Sean
      I know of 2 businesses, that allowed Google to manage their PPC and Google almost bankrupted them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seantrepreneur
    That doesn't surprise me at all. I found one company that was having Yoodle.com manage their PPC account and they were bidding on keywords in Portland, Maine. Their office is in Portland, Oregon and they do not provide services nationally... Talk about throwing money away.

    Sean
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    • Profile picture of the author mojo1
      I just saw this on my home page in Georgia.

      "New! Get your business online with Google"

      georgiagetonline.com forwards to Georgia Get Your Business Online

      This a case of half empty or half full.

      It's great to see the validation and confirmation for us as consultants that businesses in large numbers are still not on the internet and to have Google make a big push in this area.

      Additionally, the partnership between Google and Intuit should be followed and assessed as I'm sure there is plenty of room for improvement from an Intuit style website.

      Forge ahead optimists and get your rebuttals together because I'm sure free Google Intuit websites will now be mentioned quite a lot now from the mouths of local business owners.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    This was being promoted heavily in Michigan last year.
    On TV, on the radio, just about everywhere.

    Now, they don't do any kind of promotions????
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  • Profile picture of the author Georgevarg
    Sounds interesting. But as mentioned above, do the business owners have time to do all the SEO thing on their own.I doubt it. For that they need to hire some professionals. Let's see. Only time will tell.
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  • Big Google is playing like Big Wal-Mart and at first it will be something that we all will have to compete with. Google will always be something anyone in Internet marketing will have to deal with and anyone who is breathing will have to also deal with. (Skynet)

    But like Wall-Mart, only faster I believe, those that buy from the Giant will find out that the cheap price may not be worth the lack of knowledgeable support and service.
    Unless you already know what you want and how it works ahead of time, We all know that Wall-Mart will leave us wanting. (I remember the last time I went shopping for a digital video camera there.)

    I see the various "consumer" activity reports out there are showing that Big W-M is not making the sales volume they want. People are slowly wising up.

    Just keep doing what you are doing and leverage what Google "is" against them in your approaches and prospecting. Think about it, look for the angles, and read the forums. The piggy with the smarts could honestly say, "Who's afraid of the big bad wolf."

    ld Dog
    Signature

    P.S. If I can be of any assistance in your "Off" or "On"- line sales and marketing please PM me or email at WinnersChoice-Warrior@yahoo.com . Old Dog

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  • Profile picture of the author MarkDorrill
    Originally Posted by NetEmpire View Post

    On Thursday Google launched a program called "California Get Your Business Online" that offers small businesses the opportunity to get a free customizable website, as well as access to in-person training on how to build a successful online business. Google will buy the domain name and provide free hosting for the first year, then businesses will pay $2 monthly for the domain name and $4.99 monthly for Web hosting.

    www.CaliforniaGetOnline.com
    Its not difficult to offer websites, domains & training in this day in age now is it. The question is how you can add value for businesses that others can't (the bit that isnt so easy for anyone).

    hint - most websites look good but something is missing - what is it?
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  • Profile picture of the author YellowGreenMedia
    I am not worried at all these attempts from Google to monetize their search engine... 95% of what Googles tries turns into bullcrap, just like Google +, that will get nowhere even though they force it upon us.... look at the long list of failures, this is just going to be added to that list...
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    • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
      Originally Posted by YellowGreenMedia View Post

      I am not worried at all these attempts from Google to monetize their search engine... 95% of what Googles tries turns into bullcrap, just like Google +, that will get nowhere even though they force it upon us.... look at the long list of failures, this is just going to be added to that list...
      I strongly disagree....
      Google + had more people engaged than Facebook in a quarter of the time.
      Not to mention, they are testing how people will rank in the SERPS depending upon G+
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      • Profile picture of the author YellowGreenMedia
        Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

        I strongly disagree....
        Google + had more people engaged than Facebook in a quarter of the time.
        Not to mention, they are testing how people will rank in the SERPS depending upon G+

        But how many of them are really using it, i don't see people here liking G+ a lot, especially with all the privacy issues lately, and it is just a matter of time that Google is going to screw this up.. i will take any bet on this
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  • Profile picture of the author NetEmpire
    I think in the long run, any interest Google can generate from small businesses will be a good thing. And most will not want a DIY option, as stated before, they don't have any time to do what they're already doing, or trying to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author HypeText
    Its part of a national campign Google is doing: America Get Your Business Online

    Every state has a domain forwarding to a subfolder on the main site.
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    $0 Setup & $99/mnth Private Label Reseller Accts
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  • Profile picture of the author KateStevensB
    I don't think Google+ has already outnumbered Facebook.
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