Google Helps Local Businesses Learn The Importance Of An Online Presence
This Google employee helps local business owners set up their own websites making them more visible to internet shoppers
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The internet has become a major source of revenue and the experts at Google stopped in Oskaloosa to help area businesses get themselves more prepared to be online companies.
Two representatives took the 37 who registered and a few walk-ins on a journey of setting themselves up to be an online presence. Google set up laptops and cruised the crowd helping with passwords, giving pointers and instruction to help make the attendee’s site the most it could be.
Judy Uitermarkt was there signing up for the Google services to help expand her upcoming business in Oskaloosa. “When we open our new business, I’d like to be online to sell some of our products. I’ve built websites before, but I never got much traffic to it.” So Judy was looking for those pointers and advice on how to drive traffic to her site. Internet traffic can often equal customers, if not at the moment then in the future as you grow your business.
Judy’s new shop will feature fashion items such as jewelry, purses, and scarves along with bath and body products. The new location will be where Bud’s Brew Shack has been located. The brewing supplies will still be available, but will be in a separate part of the building.
Miranda Johnson, Director of MCARD (Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development), helped coordinate the event and said the event was free for any business to participate in. “You don’t even have to have a business to use this event.”
“It’s an opportunity for business, a lot of at home businesses that don’t have an online presence but they see the importance of having an online presence and being able to market outside of Oskaloosa and Mahaska County.” Johnson said pointing towards the growing number of shoppers logging on to do their shopping.
Johnson pointed out that many of those attending the event were at home businesses that were recently unknown to her or the Oskaloosa Chamber. “It’s a great opportunity for them. Entrepreneurship is huge right now.”
Johnson said they are looking forward to the comments and feedback from Friday’s session to help plan future events, and will be sending out Thank You’s to those who attended and to help those in attendance become aware of the local companies that would be able to support them and their new website in the future.
