Small businesses will get a little boost through the Let's Put West Virginia on the Map Program Sept. 2 at the Clay Center.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. announced Aug. 19 she will be partnering with Google to host a free tech workshop for Charleston-area small businesses in order to help business owners launch their own website and become visible online. At the event, small business owners will participate in event activities, workshops and receive one-on-one counseling from Google representatives. The first workshop will begin at 9 a.m., with two additional sessions following later that morning.
The schedule is as follows: 8:30 a.m., participant registration; 9 a.m., Workshop: Grow Your Business Online; 10 a.m., tour for media representatives with remarks from Capito; 10:10 a.m., Workshop: Get Found on Search and Maps; 10:30 a.m., Workshop: Build Your Free Website; 12 p.m., event concludes.
According to a press release, businesses that are online grow 40 percent faster than those that are not and are twice as likely to be considered reputable by customers.
"When local businesses are online, economies benefit," it states.
In light of the upcoming event, Capito urged businesses to take advantage of the growth opportunity.
"West Virginia businesses of all sizes should take advantage of this free opportunity to increase their presence online," she said. "I am proud to join with Google to bring this workshop to Charleston, to build on the work of my Capito Connect Plan and to bridge the digital divide in the Mountain State."
Companies interested in registering can go to https://www.gybo.com/wv/charleston/events.
Businesses can so go to www.gybo.com to get a free website as well as free tools, training and resources to help their businesses succeed online.
