Google measures its economic impact in NH

50-state study features look at Hudson firm’s growth

A newly released report from Google says the company aided $258 million in economic activity for 7,800 New Hampshire businesses, nonprofits and website publishers in 2014.

The report is part of a larger look at the impact Google has on business activity in all 50 states. Across the U.S., Google said, it assisted in providing $131 billion in economic activity for 1.8 million businesses and organizations in 2014 through such Google products as AdWords and AdSense.

To illustrate its impact in New Hampshire, Google provided the example of Hudson-based Red Brick Clothing Co., which offers custom screen-printed and embroidered apparel to schools and businesses.

Starting out in a kitchen in 1997, Red Brick says 80 percent of its business now comes through its website. The company launched its first website in 2001, moving into a commercial space a couple of years later. It currently has nine employees.

Red Brick utilizes YouTube videos, Gmail and Google Docs to market its online and communicate within the business.

"We've worked hard to make our website come up as one of the top Google searches," said vice president, Keith Mayotte. "That's been very effective for us."

Referencing a 2010 BIA/Kelsey report, Google said 97 percent of Internet users look online for local products and services.

Red Brick said it is planning to launch a mobile-friendly website and use AdWords to expand to other states.

In addition, Google noted that through its Ad Grants program, $342,000 of free advertising was provided to New Hampshire nonprofits. Google offers $10,000 per month in AdWords advertising on search result pages. Nonprofits can check their eligibility and apply at google.com/grants/index.html.