Websites Now Free for Illinois Businesses

Angela Benander
Published: May 29, 2012

Today Google is announcing Illinois Get Your Business Online. Google worked with local partners to design the program, which will help drive economic growth by giving Illinois businesses the tools and resources to establish a website, find new customers, and grow their business. Increasing the number of small businesses online is one of the best ways to expand the Illinois economy.

Illinois Get Your Business Online is an easy and fast way for Illinois businesses to get online. For the next year, participating Illinoisbusinesses can go to www.IllinoisGetOnline.com to get a free website as well as free tools, training and resources to help their business succeed online. Google is partnering with Intuit to provide its popular Intuit Websites offerings for free including an easy-to-build website, a customized domain name and web-hosting for one year.

In addition, business owners from across Illinois are invited to the kickoff event at The Chicago Illuminating Company at 219 E. 21st Street in Chicago on May 31st and June 1st. Participants will learn how to build their own website, as well as attend sessions devoted to growing and promoting their business online.

"I am committed to creating a climate where business can grow and thrive in Chicago," said Mayor Emanuel. "Small businesses are the backbone of Chicago's economy and Google's innovative program will help them access the tools they need to succeed."

“The perception that getting online is complex, costly and time-consuming has prevented many Illinois small businesses from taking the first step,” said Scott Levitan, Director of Small Business Engagement at Google. “This program makes it fast, easy and free for businesses to get online."

“As a leading provider of small business solutions, we have witnessed the growth small businesses have seen from getting online,” said Megan Bhattacharyya, Product Manager at Intuit. “We are excited to offer Intuit Websites for free to all the wonderful small businesses in Illinois and to help them create a customized presence that represents their unique brands.”

"We are extremely excited about the opportunity for Illinois small businesses to market their businesses to potential customers around the world thanks to an exciting partnership being offered by Google. Local businesses are able to get free websites and training which will allow them to have an online presence. This is an excellent opportunity for Illinois companies to promote their products and services and to grow and expand their businesses," said Mark Petrilli, State Director of the Illinois SBDC.

Google’s Illinois Get Your Business Online partners include, among others: Intuit, SCORE, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois SBDC, and the World Business Chicago.

Both the website and event registration are currently available. For further information, please visit www.IllinoisGetOnline.com