BT ties with Google to boost SME search marketing

BT is offering to manage Google AdWords campaigns for small firms

BT Business has continued its pledge to help small firms market themselves better on the web by striking a deal with Google today which will allow it to set up and manage customers' AdWords campaigns.

Small businesses, including those already served by BT Business and the BT Tradespace platform, will gain access to professionally trained Google AdWords consultants to advise them on search marketing campaigns.

An initial consultation will determine parameters such as keyword selection and spending levels, and customers will then have access to a portal to view their performance, and contact an agent with any questions.

"We also provide access to best practice documentation," said Ivan Croxford, general manager for BT Business digital marketing services. "We want our customers to be more informed and ask more informed questions of us to get a better sense of the effectiveness of their campaigns."

Croxford claimed that BT Business wants not only to get small firms online by providing them with tools such as web hosting, but to help them grow their business and online presence.

"We have observed that small businesses have struggled with building an effective online presence," he said. "Our ambition is to provide services with the level of experience they need to run an effective search marketing campaign, which has traditionally been out of their reach."