NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES GENERATE $6.65B IN 2017 ECONOMIC IMPACT WITH GOOGLE

New Report Shows Google Helped 42,000 NJ Businesses and Nonprofits Grow Last Year

New Jersey — Google announced on Thursday that 42,000 New Jersey businesses, publishers and nonprofits used the company’s search and advertising tools in 2017 to connect with the people and communities they serve, generating $6.65B in economic activity as a result. By using Google products, these businesses increased their online presence and were able to grow, bringing more money and jobs into the local economy. 42,000 companies marks the 11th most in one state to work with Google last year, while New Jersey’s economic impact was 9th in the country. In total, Google’s national economic impact was more than $283 billion, corresponding to over 1.4 million businesses. This is the ninth year Google has released its economic impact report.

“People turn to the web to learn, discover, find, and buy things. Being online can have a big impact; it’s where businesses can connect with their customers,” said Mary Ellen Coe, President of Google Marketing Solutions. “At Google, we see the power of the web working for American businesses and we believe that with hard work and the help of technology, every business in New Jersey can grow.”

Google’s New Jersey Economic Impact Report detailed how Novofex, a Jersey City-based company, used digital tools to increase their online presence and reach customers. Novofex, a digital marketing agency, was founded in 2013 by owner Freddy Carrera, who initially ran the company out of his own apartment. Within six months, Carrera enlisted a former colleague and opened an official office and then turned to Google to help spur further growth.

Novofex began using Google to help their business on multiple fronts. Initially Carrera utilized G Suite tools, such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, and Drive, to manage his increasing workload. With more growth, he began using AdWords, Google’s advertising program, to reach potential new customers, and Google Analytics to measure and optimize their ad campaigns. The company finished its first year by growing 50%, and has announced greater strides since – now reaching over 400 customers per year.

To help more small businesses, Google launched its Grow with Google initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans. Drawing on Google’s history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow, the initiative aims to give Americans access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. More about these resources are at grow.google.

A recent national study by Deloitte found that over 80% of small businesses surveyed are not taking advantage of online digital tools. The same report determined the following:

• Digital small businesses are nearly three times as likely to have created new jobs in the last year.

• Digital small businesses are seeing four times higher revenue growth

• Digital small businesses are almost three times as likely to reach more customers via increased calls, leads and sales inquiries

• Digital small businesses are three times as likely to have exported a product or service

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