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Digital Capitals of America: Lincoln Named the 2013 eCit...

Digital Capitals of America: Lincoln Named the 2013 eCity of Nebraska

In a world that is powered by the internet, it comes as no surprise that small, local businesses are turning to online sources as a way to market themselves and expand beyond their shop doors. E-marketing is playing a key role in this transition, helping to establish small businesses and creating growth for both the company and

e-City Logo Lincoln, Nebraska

In a world that is powered by the internet, it comes as no surprise that small, local businesses are turning to online sources as a way to market themselves and expand beyond their shop doors. E-marketing is playing a key role in this transition, helping to establish small businesses and creating growth for both the company and the local economy as well. Through online marketing connections via web pages, blogs, social media and more, companies have been able to establish themselves on a larger scale by creating connections globally. Google has set out to recognize the best of these online business communities by establishing new digital capitals, or rather e-Cities. These new digital capitals, which include Lincoln, Nebraska, represent the leading cities in regards to the utilization of online sources to establish and grow businesses.

Small businesses have quickly become the backbone of many communities and technology has played into this growth a great deal. In fact, over the next three years, businesses that utilize the web are expected to grow 40% faster and are twice as likely to create jobs. As small businesses are creating two-thirds of all new jobs, the potential impact of getting businesses online is huge. Google hopes that by establishing these e-cities they will be able to encourage other businesses to embrace internet marketing, as well as help others to see the potential for expansion in creating successful businesses.

Hiro Sushi Restaurant Lincoln, Nebraska

Hillis and Company Lincoln, Nebraska

Oliver de Lincoln, Nebraska

These digital capitals were established using an analytical system, powered by an independent research firm Ipsos MORI, which evaluated online business strengths. The cities with the highest scores in utilizing online sources to optimize business growth were then selected for each state and designated a 2013 Google e-City.

This is truly a lesson in industry distinction and telling of where business growth is headed. Through the establishment of these digital capitals, I believe that many other businesses will follow suit in establishing online connections and start to see the potential of expanding business into the online world.

How have you seen small businesses embrace the Google e-Cities mission through internet marketing in your community?

Credits: Photographs by Lisa Gran. Images and data linked to sources.

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Lisa Gran is an undergraduate student in her final semester of studying Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. As an aspiring engineer, Lisa is especially interested in the utilization and development of environmentall...

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