EASTERN SHORE CHAMBER PARTNERING WITH GOOGLE FOR THE "GOMO" INITIATIVE

Google recently announced Mobilizing Mobile, a series of events and workshops in Mobile, AL dedicated to helping local businesses build a presence on the mobile internet and drive economic growth in the Gulf Coast region.

From November 14-16, Google will host events in Mobile, AL and provide local advertising and marketing professionals with the tools they need to develop a business strategy specifically for the mobile internet. Registered attendees will have the opportunity to have their desktop site "mobilized" and hosted for one year, free of charge, and will receive a $75 AdWords credit; further details on this offer are available on the website.

Understanding the unique characteristics of smartphones and the mobile web is critical for businesses today. Consumers have embraced smartphones that enable users to browse the internet at an incredible pace - it's estimated that by 2015, connections to the web via mobile will outpace the desktop (1). Likewise, Google mobile search has grown five-fold worldwide in the past two years, a rate comparable to the early days of desktop Google Search, and continues to skyrocket. This holiday season, we expect 15% of total 'Black Friday' searches and 44% of total searches for last minute gifts and store locator terms to come from mobile devices.

Smartphones fit tremendous computing power in a handheld device, but they are not just miniature desktop computers. Smartphones have unique characteristics that businesses need to understand in order to maximize their success on the platform. Mobilizing Mobile will provide local businesses with specific insights about the platform and help them build mobile-optimized websites and marketing strategies.

The Mobilizing Mobile program is part of GoMo, a Google-led initiative dedicated to helping businesses 'Go Mobile' by providing them with the tools and resources they need to make their websites more mobile-friendly

The program will take place in Mobile, AL between November 14 and 16, 2011 at Space 301, 301 Conti Street in downtown Mobile. Businesses can register at howtogomo.com/AL.

Mobilizing Mobile is made possible by Google, in conjunction with: Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Mobile Alliance, DudaMobile, and Mobify.