(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: Google has launched here recently 'Google Partners Academy' to help Saudi entrepreneurs and small and medium business (SMBs) to be online and digital experts to grow their businesses.

'We have officially launched our Google partner program here for the first time to boost businesses presence online and utilize it to the maximum' said Shant Oknayan marketing lead SMB Middle East & North Africa told Arab News.
Explaining why Google is now active in Saudi Arabia Okanayan said that the Internet usage is booming in this country thanks to its young and digitally active population.
'Google wants to help those SMBs in making use of the Internet for a better chance to grow if they go online' he said adding that only 15 percent of these business enterprises have their own websites while for 85 percent they are not available.'
Oknayan said Google representatives will be signing up agencies onto Google Partners and will work with intermediaries (agencies) to help them become certified SMBs with their online presence.
He continued: 'We are seeing Internet penetration in around 60-66 percent population. Mobile usage is penetrating through the roof. Some people have two phones and some three phones.'
Speaking further he said: 'What we are seeing is Internet usage is booming. But what we are not seeing is businesses on the Internet to take full advantage of that Internet boom and growing their business through the Internet. Imagine you are a user and searching for a barber or a new restaurant. So if you are not online that means you are closed for business and the users do not know your existence.'
He continued: 'So what we want is to empower businesses to understand that they can really grow through the Internet. We will provide training and certification of completion as digital experts. You can convince your customers that being on the Internet is the best way for them to grow their business.'
He added: 'Agencies SMB service providers will be Google partner in this program. Teach them give them free education free certification providing them with support and giving them even financially incentive. The Google is providing you up to-date information that you can access through any devices' he added.
According to him Google will help SMB owners to have website which is branded to the business.
'If you have simple social media page and have you a website that will able you to brand. Second if you need to advertise on Google you need to have website. You cannot advertise through social media page.'