Google launches custom search for SMBs

Google unveiled Tuesday its latest initiative to court small businesses--a custom search tool dubbed Google Custom Search Business Edition.

Google's small business search allows companies to add Google search to their web sites. Google adds:

In three simple steps, businesses can sign up online for the hosted service, and in less than 10 minutes customers and visitors are able to search their site using the power of Google's search technology, for more relevant results.

The game plan: Get em hosted. Then get them Google Apps. Just like the purchase of Postini, Google is taking away things that folks may use as an excuse to not use Google Apps.

With the small business search it's about getting small businesses in the door. Dave Girouard, vice president and general manager, Google Enterprise., says in a statement that small businesses invest in search advertiser, but leave customers on their own when it comes to searching sites.

Small businesses have to identify the site to search, narrow down the pages, add a search box and customize from there. Google hosts the search, provides Google-like response time, offers reporting and provides options for email and phone support.

These smaller customers also have the choice whether to include ads or not. The search service starts at $100 a year for searching 5,000 pages and up to $500 a year for 50,000. Anything larger that that goes to the enterprise sales group at Google.