RURAL COUNTIES have performed well – in some cases outranking major cities – in Google’s first ‘eCounty Awards’.
The search giant has unveiled its first ranking of Irish counties in terms of the number of customers using its AdWords search product, combined with the number of local businesses who have taken up the Getting Irish Business Online initiative.
Though Dublin tops the 26-county list, Wicklow and Carlow come in second and third place – while Galway is in 12th and Cork a mere 15th.
Google’s Simon Bolger said while Dublin’s success was to be expected, “it is interesting that two less industrialised counties – Wicklow and Carlow – are ranked 2 and 3 respectively, beating larger counties such as Cork.
It reflects what we have seen in other countries where we presented these Awards – that when it comes to the Internet, anybody, almost anywhere, can boost a business by going online.
He said Google would host workshops in counties which appeared further down the list, helping to encourage small businesses there to build an online presence.
Communications minister Pat Rabbitte said the internet was contributing up to 8 per cent of the GDP of some countries, and that the government “recognises the potential of the digital economy to stimulate economic growth”.
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