Google is offering small businesses (with or without websites) a free way to offer coupons online.
From USA Today via
Yahoo! News:
"The initiative is aimed primarily at the millions of businesses that don't currently advertise online, and offers them the ability to attract local customers with discounts or special deals.
Online coupons run near the business listings of Google's (GOOG) specialized local search area, called Google Maps. It's like an online yellow pages, but with clickable links to websites, and mapping information."
By offering the option to companies without websites Google recognizes the advertising needs of the more than 50% small businesses without a web presence.
Small business owners are invited to sign up
here to apply for a free business listing. Once approved, those listings can contain coupons, created by the business owner.