Google wants Filipino biz to expand online presence

MANILA -- Google Philippines aims more Filipino enterprises to expand their presence online in order to tap opportunities brought by the digital economy.

During the 5th anniversary of Google Philippines, its Country Manager Ken Lingan said growing the Philippines’ digital economy by engaging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive online was one of the thrusts of Google in the country.

Lingan said the company had launched its product here Google My Business, which allowed Filipino businesses to register their business information like address, map direction, and contact details to help them become more accessible and searchable online.

This also helps customers to find information about the establishments which are using this platform.

Filipino business can also promote their products and services on Google My Business for free.

The platform also allows customers to rate enterprises and help them improve their businesses from feedbacks.

“The intention here is helping businesses in the Philippine to grow through online,” Lingan said in an interview.

Last month, Google Philippines has partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to use Negosyo Centers as a way to verify Google My Business registration.

Currently, an entrepreneur can only receive verification code from Google through snail mail, which sometimes has the risk of getting the code lost or delay in delivery.

“But today with the Negosyo Centers, they could already get verified in Negosyo Centers itself. They would not wait for that snail mail to be able to get the verification code,” Lingan said.

“By working with DTI we’re hoping to make this faster in a much more seamless experience,” he added.

Lingan said less than half a million Filipino enterprises had enrolled their names in Google My Business.

Most of these enterprises are in the retail sector.

This, however, is substantially low compared to other neighboring countries in Southeast Asia like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

DTI data showed that there are about a million registered MSMEs in the Philippines.

“There are still very few businesses which are using Google My Business. So we want to create more awareness about this,” Lingan said. (PNA)