Google brings ‘Juice Bars’ to Wales to help boost online businesses

Broadband has become an increasingly important part of businesses. Most establishments conduct a lot of their transactions online, as it is a more convenient way of handling documents and handling communications versus regular mail, fax, and other methods. Aside from that, it’s generally available at cheaper rates.

There are a lot of reports floating around about how many businesses are losing out because of poor broadband. Aside from time being wasted when Internet services are down or too slow, many would-be customers are turned off from visiting your establishment if you don’t offer broadband. This latter case usually applies to restaurants and hotels, where broadband notspots have been found to affect the tourism industry.

However, it seems that even with a good broadband connection, some firms are still not being able to convert. Google apparently has the same mindset, as they have come out to the UK with their “Juice Bars” and with the plan to improve businesses all across Wales to become more tech savvy.

This program was brought to the country thanks to a collaboration between the search giant and the Welsh government. Google UK will be conducting a series of more than 1,000 free consultations and e-skills workshops to aid businesses in setting up their websites. These seminars will also teach attendees tips and guidelines on how they can improve their online presence.

The Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science, Edwina Hart, stated:”We want Wales to be a truly digital nation and our Next Generation Broadband project is geared to ensure that all residential premises and businesses in Wales have access to high speed broadband by 2015. We welcome this initiative to help companies gain maximum benefits from using and exploiting digital technologies to innovate, grow and access new markets, driving business growth.”

Dan Cobley, who is the managing director of Google UK, said: “The internet provides a barrierless platform for businesses to grow, so we are excited about coming to Wales for a year-long series of events to show business owners how easily this can be done. We will be working alongside the Welsh Government and local partners to ensure our time spent with local entrepreneurs will make a real difference to their businesses and, in turn, the Welsh economy in creating jobs through digital means.”

Business in Focus chief executive Gareth Bray welcome the news, saying: “It’s essential that the clients we support get to grips with how Google can help them to sell and communicate. This initiative is all about helping business people through providing practical tips and support, both online and face to face. We recognise the substantial value of this to our new and existing clients and we will do everything we can to help ensure its success.”