Biz Owners to Google: Give Us More Online Technology and Education


We small business owners have long been the kings and queens of do-it-yourself solutions.  When we are starting out, we have more time than money.  As startups we focus on do-it-yourself solutions because we cannot afford to pay others to do for us — yet.

Later, as our businesses grow, we start hiring staff and outsourcing work to outside providers. Even so, we’re likely to continue doing a lot of work ourselves because it makes economic sense and because by nature many small biz owners are hands-on and like it that way.

So it should come as no surprise that asked for our wish list for 2011, small biz owners put on the list “more education” and a desire for more tools to run our businesses.

This information came out as part of the Google Wishes initiative. Late last year, Google asked small business owners and entrepreneurs to “share our 2011 aspirations.”

Small Business Dreams for 2011

The results are in, and they paint a picture of business owners who are serious about growing and improving their businesses, and looking for tools and assistance to make it happen.

First, we business owners love online technology, and want more features. Seventy-six percent (76%) wanted more features from online tools. Also, according to Leslie Hernandez, Product Marketing Manager, Google Small Business Team, the small business owners who responded ” … acknowledged that referrals are now happening online through social media channels and, as such, you want to understand how to use these online tools. You also want more out of your websites. Ultimately, you said you want to do more online to run your business more efficiently and spend more time concentrating on your customers.”

Another thing on the wish list: more education, as well as help to get our businesses started. In other words, we small business owners know that we need more knowledge if we’re to run our businesses more efficiently and effectively.

There’s a lot more that small biz owners want.  Read the full write-up at the Google Small Business Blog .

8 Comments ▼

Anita Campbell Anita Campbell is the Founder, CEO and Publisher of Small Business Trends and has been following trends in small businesses since 2003. She is the owner of BizSugar, a social media site for small businesses.

8 Reactions
  1. Thanks for reporting on this, Anita.

    I’d like to see a lot more become available, too.

    And, I’d really like Google to have some non-engineering types set-up some of these tools, and the how-to’s on how to use them.

    I love Google, but if they could simplify things a bit more, I could become more efficient in my own business.

    The Franchise King

  2. Hi Joel, I think Google got similar feedback. Thanks for adding yours — the more voices the better. It’s great that Google is listening.

    – Anita

  3. Regarding Google’s “Theme 2: Grow my business”. Do you know if they could supply you with a total e-commerce solution if you want so sell physical goods online? I am thinking of using Goodsie storefront and then use PayPal or Google Checkout.

  4. I would be interested to know where SMB owners want to see these new features. Working in the PPC industry, AdWords is the 800-lb gorilla, but I feel like it has so many features that most SMB owners aren’t able to easily maximize their efforts. If anything, I would think that AdWords needs to be simpler. What does everyone else think?

  5. Tynnisha Hamilton

    Google has already done a lot to help small business owners and I’m anxious to see what else they have in store for us. It’s good that they are listening and making a strong effort to help build small businesses.

  6. I love #3, specifically the ‘networking with other business owners and helping each other’. That would be fantastic! I am excited to see what Google cooks up next. Thanks for the article and link to the survey!