Google names Warwick 2014 eCity for R.I.

WARWICK – Google has named Warwick as the 2014 eCity for the state of Rhode Island for having the strongest online business community, the Internet company announced in a press release on Thursday.

The eCity designations were awarded in all 50 states. Businesses in these communities embrace the Web to find new customers, connect with existing clients and fuel their local economies, Google stated.

“Warwick serves as a prime example of how innovation and growth in e-commerce can successfully contribute to bolstering economic progress and competitiveness,” Emma Ogiemwanye, Google representative, said. “Google is proud to recognize Warwick’s accomplishment, and the role it plays in creating Rhode Island jobs.”

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian said in a statement, “I am very proud that Google has named Warwick as Rhode Island’s 2014 eCity. This recognition speaks volumes about our vibrant and diverse business community and their capacity to leverage technology to reach their customers and showcase all that Warwick has to offer. It also reflects our city’s ongoing efforts to grow a 21st century, innovation economy, create good-paying jobs and advance industries of the future.”

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According to Google, 97 percent of Internet users look online for local products and services.

“Businesses need to be where their customers are and in 2014, that is online. The impact of being online is significant – businesses that are online grow twice as fast and are twice as likely to create jobs as their offline counterparts,” the release stated.

Google and independent research firm, Ipsos, analyzed online strength of local small businesses in all 50 states, weighing factors such as the likelihood of small businesses to have a website, use a blog, promote themselves on a social network, sell goods directly from their webpages and whether they had a mobile-friendly website.

Winning cities exhibited strong engagement and potential for growth within the digital economy. To view the entire list, visit www.google.com/ecities.

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