Report: Online engagement has $2.37B economic impact

A recent Google economic impact report shows South Carolina businesses, publishers and nonprofits used search and advertising tools to generate $2.37 billion in economic activity.

“Being online can have a big impact,” Mary Ellen Coe, president of Google Marketing Solutions, said in a news release detailing the company’s ninth annual economic impact report. “It’s where businesses connect with their customers.”

The company launched its Grow with Google initiative to help create economic opportunities for small businesses. The initiative will give businesses access to training and tools to improve digital skills.

Last month, more than 750 people attended Grow with Google training and workshops in Columbia, the company said. Grow with Google also announced a $100,000 sponsorship to the Women’s Business Center of South Carolina at Columbia College aimed at enhancing digital skills and workplace development.

A national study by Deloitte concluded that more than 80% of small businesses surveyed were not taking advantage of online digital tools. The report also determined:

• 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.