How Google Maps plans to help small Indian businesses grow

Google is all about the Internet and as such it’s always trying to find ways to get people online. This includes shops and other business establishments too because people still need to buy groceries and household items, or look for that especially elusive spice mix. So Google has stepped in to bring its immense search and mapping resources to Indian neighbourhoods and local markets with its Indoor Maps technology.   According to a report in the Hindu Business Line , Google is targetting small and medium businesses with its Indoor Maps technology which was introduced in India last month. The Indoor Google Maps introduced in India last month is available on Android as well as iOS. At the moment, one can virtually navigate through some museums and malls, though the main idea behind this is to help businesses get more traffic if they are unable to get footfalls because they are located in crowded commercial spaces, with lack of parking.   Suren Ruhela, Director and Product Manager, India Google Maps was quoted as saying, “Small businesses have to move beyond just setting up their websites and hoping that shoppers walk in, which is passé.”   The new way of using modern tools such as online maps and location data, along with tried-and-tested business practices is slowly finding its way into Indian market, but this is seen largely in Internet-based businesses. Getting your regular neighbourhood stores online and having them use all of the available tools is another question altogether.   With online shopping growing at unprecedented rate, only the swiftest of ‘offline’ retailers can hope to match up to the pace of technology. Google is hoping that it can make their task a little easier. But it really remains to be seen whether small business such as shops really see the benefit of Google’s Indoor Maps technology.