Auckland is a trailblazer when it comes to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) embracing the web to grow their businesses, the inaugural Google New Zealand eTown Awards reveal.
Auckland was today named as one of New Zealand's top five eTowns in the awards launched by Google to celebrate the towns and cities making the best use of the web to connect with customers and grow.
Nelson, Tauranga, Queenstown and Wellington City were also named regional winners, with the overall national winner to be announced in May.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown said: "Digital technology and innovation are key elements of Auckland building a productive, high-value economy.
"It's great to see Auckland businesses seizing opportunities to connect with customers and clients through online and mobile technology. Auckland Council is working closely with Chorus to encourage people to get connected to ultrafast broadband - being a globally-connected city will have wide ranging economic and social benefits for Auckland."
Brett O'Riley, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development chief executive, said that most Auckland SMEs think globally from their start-up phase, and this has contributed to the region strongly embracing e-commerce.
"This recognition from Google shows that Auckland SMEs know their customer base can come from anywhere around the globe, and an effective online presence is essential," said Mr O'Riley.
"Auckland's growing knowledge-based economy is ideal for e-commerce, and exemplifies our aspiration to be an innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific region. With weightless products or services and the smart use of e-commerce, it is just as easy to reach customers in Greenland as Greenlane."
International research has established the strong links between digital engagement and commercial success.
A report by Deloitte Access Economics in Australia published on Monday found that small businesses with high digital engagement are twice as likely to be growing revenue, and earn twice as much revenue per employee. They are also four times more likely to be hiring additional staff.
Tony Keusgen, Country Manager, Google New Zealand, said it was exciting to see small and large towns alike featuring in the awards.
"The web has always been great at levelling the playing field, and the New Zealand eTown winners prove this," said Mr Keusgen.
"This shows the power of the web to help busi! nesses - and towns - pivot into new areas based on economic conditions.. Many towns known in New Zealand for tourism have made the most of the web to raise their virtual visitor numbers as real-world visitor numbers dropped after the global financial crisis.
"Every Kiwi business should be online. Whether you're a yoga studio or a local plumber, every SME owner can access and use the tools available to maximise the web's potential to help them grow."
Kerry Bradburn, co-owner of Auckland SME Wildpoppies, which has shops in Grey Lynn and Queenstown and also supplies a huge range of flowers and gifts across New Zealand, said the company began selling online in 1996 when websales were "virtually unknown in New Zealand".
"We started with six products, now we have 350 and 70 per cent of our business is online," said Kerry. "Our turnover was $2m last year and the average turnover for a florist shop would be $120,000.
"We have grown up with online sales. We love it and we treat our online customers in exactly the same way as our face-to-face customers.
"Because of our online presence, we also don't have to rely on foot traffic in the way other shops might have to. That means we can have town fringe premises with plenty of space but are paying at least 30 per cent less per square metre in rent."
The Google eTown Awards have previously been held ! in Europe, Australia and Canada.