Google Offers Free Website, Domain to Indian SMBs

Google India announced a new initiative program ‘India Get Your Business Online’ which offers free websites, domain and hosting services to small businesses in India.

This program according to Google India, designed with local partners provides Indian businesses the tools and resources to establish a website, find new customers and grow their businesses.

So, how is this all free? Google is investing in Indian businesses by creating www.IndiaGetOnline.in and paying for your .in domain registry for 12 months. HostGator, one of the leading hosting providers is providing with hosting services, their leading site building tool and support.

To be part of this program, Google authenticates that you or your organization resides in India using PAN/ TAN/ CIN number. Google claim that although there are an estimated 8 million SMBs in India, only about 5% have a website.

From the official blog post,

Free: It’s free to set up your website. The domain is free for 1 year, and it’s free to maintain your website for 12 months.
Quick: The website tool takes 15 minutes from sitting down to being found online

Easy: You don’t need to be a tech whiz to get started. All you need to start is your address, phone number, TAN/CIN or PAN to verify you as a business

The website is simple because customers are looking for simple information online
Gives you your own .in domain

Other features include photos/logos, integration with social media platforms
You get a Google Apps account – free personalised email ids

If you want to make your website work harder, you’ll have access to steady stream of free tips and tools from the Getting Indian Business Online team and a free coupon of worth Rs. 2500 INR advertising trial from Google AdWords to help promote your site.

After the first year, SMBs can choose to pay a monthly pay-as-you-go to maintain their website using hostgator.

At the end of the first year, they’ll have to pay a nominal charge if they wish to renew their domain name. They can cancel their website at any time

Navigate to www.IndiaGetOnline.in to build your website.