South Carolina businesses generate over $3.5B in economic impact due to Google search and ads tools

In One Year, Google Helped 15,000 in South Carolina Grow

On Monday, May 13, Google announced that 15,000 South Carolina businesses, publishers and nonprofits used Google search and advertising tools to connect with the people and communities they serve — generating $3.52B in economic activity. By using Google products businesses increased their online presence and were able to grow, bringing more money and jobs into the local economy. This is the tenth year Google has released itsEconomic Impact Report.

A recent national study by Deloitte found that over 80% of small businesses surveyed are not fully using online digital tools. The same report determined the following:

• 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

“For small businesses across the U.S., the web is the most powerful tool to attract new customers and retain existing ones,” said Mary Ellen Coe, President of Google Customer Solutions. “Last year, our search and advertising tools helped generate billions of dollars in economic activity for millions of businesses – helping to create a lasting impact on local communities. And we look forward to working with South Carolina businesses, nonprofits and publishers to help their businesses grow.”

Google’s S.C. Economic Impact Report details how HME Medical Shop in Charleston used digital tools, like Google Ads, to increase their online presence, reach new customers and grow their local business. In the past two years alone, HME Medical Shop has experienced increases in website traffic by 256% and in revenue by 166%. HME Medical Shop serves between 600,000 and 700,000 customers per year and plans to continue with the help of Google.

A corporate citizen in the Palmetto State for over a decade, Google employs over 150 full-time positions at its Berkeley County data center. Google announced continued expansion and investment to its Moncks Corner facility in February 2019.

“Google is proud to call Berkeley County home to its South Carolina data center,” said Southeast Head of Public Affairs Lilyn Hester. “We’re deeply committed to serving and creating opportunities for our neighbors in the Lowcountry and around the Palmetto State, especially local business owners.”

To support more small businesses, Google launched its Grow with Google initiative to help create economic opportunity for Americans. Drawing on Google’s history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow, the initiative aims to give Americans access to the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. Grow with Google visited Columbia, South Carolina in 2018 to hold in-person workshop trainings. Grow with Google empowers nonprofits, libraries, government agencies, educational institutions and other organizations with a range of digital skills resources. More about these resources are at grow.google.