Maryland Get Your Business Online is an easy and fast way for Maryland businesses to gain an online presence. Over the next year, participating Maryland businesses can go to www.MarylandGetOnline.com to get a free Web site as well as free tools, training and resources to help their business succeed online. Google is partnering with Intuit to provide its popular Intuit Websites offerings for free, including an easy-to-build website, a customized domain name and web-hosting for one year.

Businesses simply limit their exposure to customers if they don’t have a Web site. Small businesses need to be online because that’s where their customers are. While 97% of Americans look online for local products and services, 53% of Maryland small businesses do not have a website or online presence. In America today, no matter the size of the business, having a website is as vital as having a phone.

“Maryland is a recognized leader in giving entrepreneurs and small business owners the tools and resources they need to serve their vital role as the lifeblood of our economy,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Getting every Maryland small business online is one more critical step we can take together to stay competitive and expand opportunity in this rapidly-changing, 21st century economy.”