The Ohio Get Your Business Online program is hosting workshops from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Columbus Convention Center at 400 N. High St.
Under the program, Google has teamed with software company Intuit to offer business owners a free website that is easy to build, has a custom domain name and web hosting for one year, and a local business listing on Google Places. Workshop attendees will not only learn how to create a website, they will also learn how to optimize it to be found on Google and how to advertise on Google using AdWords.
Though 97 percent of Americans look online for local products and services, 50 percent of Ohio’s small businesses do not have a website or online presence, according to the workshops’ organizers. The perception that getting online is complex, costly, and time-consuming has prevented many small businesses from taking the first step.
“Small businesses need to use every tool in the tool kit these days to remain competitive,” said Karen Shauri, director of the Ohio Small Business Development Centers.
To register for a Ohio Get Your Business Online workshop, visit OhioGetOnline.com/event or call 800-816-6819.
Interested parties also can create a website online by visiting OhioGetOnline.com/getonline.