Google Engage for agencies is a partner programme for advertising agencies, webmasters, search engine marketers and anyone else who provides web services to small and medium businesses. Google Engage will soon be hosting a free event in Cape Town on 17 April, 2012 at The Pavilion Conference Centre, cnr Portswood and Beach rd, V&A Waterfront. Engage members receive free access to educational resources, online training materials and promotional vouchers to help their customers get started with online advertising.

Attendees can look forward to Google Country Manager, Luke Mckend, providing insight into South Africa’s digital landscape, and workshops on online advertising led by expert Googlers. Participants can also find out more about some of the latest and greatest trends and innovations at Google.

The Google Engage South Africa programme was launched in Johannesburg in July last year. To date, hundreds of agencies have registered and received assistance in developing their clients’ online advertising campaigns through webinars, a dedicated call centre and relevant, seasonal materials and tips for optimising campaigns.

Linda Botha from Web-Smart, a search marketing and online advertising solutions company, has been a member of Engage since it was launched in South Africa. According to Linda, “Engage has helped me and my campaigns in a big way. I am continuously learning and I have a great relationship with my clients.”

Steve Eilertsen from Elemental Marketing and Design, originally a web design company, now makes half of his revenue from online marketing services. He felt that through the Engage programme he gained access to useful training webinars: “I've made valuable contacts through their organised events, enabling me to overcome some difficult challenges.”

To attend the Cape Town Google Engage event, register online as soon as possible.