GYBO: From Google’s Initiative to an Independent Marketing Partner
Clarifying the history of “Get Your Business Online” and how the mission lives on.
If you’ve come across the acronym GYBO, it may lead you to two very different places. One is Get Your Business Online, the Google-led initiative that launched in the early 2010s to help small businesses establish their first digital footprint. The other is GYBO Marketing—a boutique marketing agency that shares the same acronym, but was built independently with a broader, more hands-on approach to long-term digital growth.
While we are not affiliated with Google, our story intersects with theirs in meaningful ways. Here’s a closer look at where the original GYBO program came from, how it evolved, and how we continue to carry that mission forward—through a very different lens.
The Original GYBO: Google’s Push to Get Businesses Online
In 2011, Google launched Get Your Business Online (GYBO) in response to a pressing digital gap: at the time, more than half of small businesses in North America still lacked a website. That meant they weren’t showing up on Google Search or Maps—and, as a result, weren’t being discovered by potential customers.
To address this, Google partnered with local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. Their rollout included:
- Free website tools and templates (originally via Homestead, later Yola and Wix)
- Local workshops and business training
- Support with setting up a Google Maps listing
The Canadian campaign, for instance, was supported by CIRA and branded as “Canada Get Your Business Online.” Google emphasized how even a solo entrepreneur could be “online in 30 minutes,” breaking down barriers that once made websites seem inaccessible or expensive.
The program leaned on economic data too: a 2011 report by the Boston Consulting Group showed that businesses actively using the internet were growing four times faster than their offline counterparts.
Where That Program Went—and What Replaced It
Though widely used in its time, Google’s GYBO program was eventually phased out and folded into other platforms. Many of its tools and tutorials were reabsorbed under broader umbrellas like Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) and Grow with Google, where the focus expanded from just websites to include advertising, analytics, and workforce training.
While the standalone “Get Your Business Online” program no longer operates in its original form, its mission—to help businesses gain digital visibility—continues in many ways.
Our Story: GYBO Marketing and a Parallel Mission
At the same time that Google was launching its GYBO initiative, we were starting our own journey—unrelated, but driven by the same core idea: that small businesses deserved support to compete online.
The founder of GYBO Marketing began by building websites for small businesses—often for those who had never had one before. But as client needs grew, so did the business. Strategy, technical SEO, and content planning became just as critical as the website itself.
We kept the name GYBO because it still reflects the goal: helping businesses not only get online, but also grow and stay competitive there.
Our focus has always been on combining strategy with execution. That means whether we’re developing a brand messaging framework or addressing technical issues affecting website architecture and SEO, we don’t just diagnose—we implement solutions.
From Online Presence to Ongoing Growth
Where Google’s GYBO helped businesses take their first step online, we help them take the next ten.
For example, today’s small businesses often struggle with:
- Understanding why they’re not ranking in search, even with a website
- Making sure their content actually resonates with customers
- Turning digital visibility into real leads and revenue
We support our clients with end-to-end digital strategy, content development, and ongoing support—not as consultants, but as collaborative partners.
And while we’re proud to be tech-savvy, what sets us apart is our ability to explain things clearly and work side-by-side with business owners and marketing teams. That’s a core part of our collaborative process.
Final Thoughts: A Name That Still Matters
Google’s GYBO program may no longer be running, but its influence on the digital small business landscape was undeniable. It helped normalize the idea that even the smallest operation should—and could—be visible online.
At GYBO Marketing, we carry that torch in a different way. We focus not just on visibility, but on results. And while we’re not affiliated with Google, we share a belief that the right digital foundation can transform a business.
If you came here looking for help with your online presence, you’re in the right place. We’d be happy to start with a free SEO audit or a conversation about your goals for growth.
