Google launches business-focused service

Search engine giant claims new search tool will drive more relevant business to members' web sites

Google has unveiled a tailored search tool for businesses in the form of a hosted service.

The search engine giant claims the service - which ranges in price from $100 a year for searching up to 5,000 pages, and $500 a year for up to 50,000 pages – will help bring up more relevant results and generate more referrals for each member business.

Dave Girouard, vice president, Google Enterprise, said: “Millions of businesses have a web presence but offer users no ability to search their site. While many of these businesses invest in search advertising and search engine optimisation to help customers find their business, customers are left on their own to navigate content once they land on a site.

“As Google continues to make search technology more accessible to businesses of all sizes – first with our appliances and now with hosted search services – we are reducing the hurdles of cost, complexity and time so that small businesses can help customers find what they need every step of the way.”

Firms signing up to the service need to follow a set of steps: first to identify the site or sites to search, and select either all or selective searching of content; second to add a search box and customise the appearance by adding logo and matching the site’s look and feel and finally to further customise search results with refinements that reflect site content.