A few months ago I moved from Chicago to Canada to join the great team at Google Canada. In preparation for the big move, I used the web for everything from researching local real estate agents, to comparing local schools for my kids, to investigating where to get the perfect cup of coffee in my new neighbourhood. (Moving requires a lot of coffee!)
Like me, people everywhere use the Internet to discover the best of what’s around the corner or around the world. One of the most exciting things about the web is its ability to help small and medium-sized businesses connect with customers and grow.
Today we’re announcing the winners of our 2014 Canada eTown Awards, which range from rural, seaside communities to popular resort towns. In each of these ‘digital capitals,’ small businesses are using the web to grow and thrive in today’s increasingly connected world, and to contribute to the future economic growth of the country. In fact, according to the Boston Consulting Group, small and medium sized businesses with a web strategy experience revenue growth up to 22% higher compared to those who do not.
Take Whistler-based Superfly Ziplines as an example. The adventure company offers backcountry zipline and treetop courses to thrill-seeking visitors from Canada and around the world. However, Superfly had a problem: tourists were only learning about their services once they had arrived in Whistler, and at that point it was often too late for tourists to add Superfly to their trip itinerary. By developing a robust website, including dramatic video of their actual zipline and treetop courses, and investing in online advertising, Superfly succeeded in securing more reservations before visitors even touched down in the resort town - to the tune of an additional 3,200 visitors to their website in July 2014 alone.
2014 Google eTown Award Winners
Banff, Alberta
Chester, Nova Scotia
Oakville, Ontario
Rosemère, Quebec
Whistler, British Columbia
Congratulations to this year’s eTown winners! I hope these towns are an inspiration to cities and businesses everywhere of what can be accomplished by embracing the web.
Posted by Sam Sebastian, Managing Director, Google Canada
Follow