Google Inc. has named one city in each state as its 2013 eCity, selecting towns and cities where small businesses make the most of the Internet and social media, and Chantilly and Ocean City are its choices for eCities in Virginia and Maryland.
Google and research firm Ipsos analyzed the online strength of local businesses, considering factors such as the likelihood of small businesses to have a website, use a blog, promote itself on a social network, sell goods directly from their Web pages and whether they had a mobile-friendly website.
“Chantilly’s growth and innovation in e-commerce is an example that other cities across the state can strive to replicate,” said Scott Levitan, director of small business engagement at Google.
Google says it picked Ocean City because local businesses work hard to virtually connect with customers to promote everything from boardwalk ice cream to crab feasts.
You can see Google’s top eCities for all 50 states here.
