Not to be outdone by Lititz’s 2013 designation as the “Coolest Small Town in America,” Lancaster city was awarded Google’s 2014 eCities award for being the strongest online business community in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1999, Sharp Innovations is proud to have been one of the original web design and internet marketing firms in Lancaster, and we are now equally pleased to have contributed in earning this prestigious distinction.
In determining which cities are most deserving of this distinguished award, Google partnered with research firm Ipsos to assemble a list of the top five locations in each state that have the highest AdWords penetration relative to their population size. From this list, the firm then rated businesses within these cities based on several factors, including whether or not they commanded an online presence in the form of the following (all of which happen to be services provided by Sharp Innovations):
- A website
- A listing in authoritative directories like Manta and Yellowpages
- A social media presence
- A blog
Each business was tallied based on these factors and their city was then issued a composite score, or a total of the scores of its businesses. Lancaster city scored highest among all cities in Pennsylvania, and was thus awarded the 2014 eCity honor. If you’d like to learn more about Google’s Economic Impact, or specifically the eCities award, you can visit Google’s website. (Link expired and removed 2020)
As digital media continues its rapid expansion, awards like the eCity honor underscore the importance of going beyond just having a “presence” online by offering a great user experience on multiple levels, and across a variety of devices. Successful sites will also have an active social media presence, be up-to-date with a blog or news section, and be listed in directories that customers may be searching. With over 15 years of experience in the Internet marketing space, the team at Sharp Innovations can certainly help you improve in any of these areas. Simply contact us today for a free consultation and you’ll be on your way.