mediajunk

During Google's quarterly conference call with investors a couple of days ago, Larry Brin said:

Over half of local businesses don't have websites yet, based on the estimates we see, and our local business center helps those businesses easily create a web presence so they can advertise online.

Some commentators have interpreted this to mean simply that Google wants to see more websites, because this would lead to more search-related advertising.

Forget all the balderdash about organising the world's information. Here's Google's real goal: for every business to have a website. Remember that Microsoft's goal a couple of decades ago was to have a PC on every desk and in every home.

If Google really wants every business to have a website, it's going to have to compete with local web designers. Notwithstanding the internet's ability to link native companies with designers and developers from anywhere on the planet, most small business owners/managers adopt a "better the devil you know" approach - and award their web design contracts to a firm geographically close to them. At least, that's my experience.

So, should my web design company expect competition from Google? Perhaps. But I believe that Google creates more opportunities than threats for those who are willing to adapt.

The internet is an ecosystem and - for now - Google is top of the food chain.