Adelaide is one of Australia’s top 10 eTowns, Google announced today. This new Google award recognises and ranks those communities which are outpacing the rest of the country in having its small businesses use the web to connect with customers and grow. The web is transforming all businesses in Australia, not just those typically considered to be “Internet businesses”.
The digital economy is already worth as much as Australia’s iron ore exports, according to Deloitte Access Economics, and it’s forecast to grow by $20 billion to $70 billion by 2016. To provide a snapshot of this vital economic activity, Google looked at more than 600 local government areas to analyse which communities are contributing the most to the digital economy. The top 5 metropolitan and top 5 regional eTowns for 2012 are:
Metropolitan
1. City of Perth, WA
2. City of Yarra, VIC
3. City of Adelaide, SA
4. North Sydney, NSW
5. Ryde, NSW
Regional
1. Byron Shire, NSW
2. Meander Valley, TAS
3. Cessnock, NSW
4. Wingecarribee Shire, NSW
5. Scenic Rim Regional Council
QLD Federal Small Business Minister Brendan O’Connor, who is launching the inaugural eTown Awards at an event in West Perth today, said; “The digital economy is fuelling Australia’s economic growth and it’s important businesses of every size are well equipped to take advantage of the potential. I hope this award encourages other small businesses to get online to connect with people who are actively looking for their products and services .”
Online advertising is a growing phenomenon and Google, through its online advertising and other services, is in a good position to act as a barometer for the strength of this commercial activity – particularly in small businesses. To come up with the eTown Awards list, Google analysed data on the number of local businesses in each local government area which are advertising with Google AdWords and/or have created a free website using Google and MYOB’s Getting Aussie Businesses Online.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood, whose Council offers advisory services to local businesses, said; “This is an excellent result and proves that Adelaide is embracing the digital age. It’s important local businesses are making the most of technology trends and are empowered to connect in smarter ways.”
Claire Hatton, Head of Local Business for Google Australia said, “The eTown Award winners show that anyone anywhere can reap the benefits of the digital economy. These days being on the web is as important as having a phone. Australians expect to be able to seek out products and services online, and local businesses need to be found to compete.”
For more information about the eTown Award winners and for case studies on how local businesses are succeeding online and driving economic growth, visit www.google.com.au/ads/stories
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