Google hosts free seminar on Dec. 12 for small businesses in the Denver area who need help getting online.
In a push to get every Colorado businesses online, Google is hosting a big freebie on Friday geared toward small businesses with a minimal online presence. According to Google’s research, only 48 percent of small businesses in Colorado have a website.
The 3-hour event, hosted by the at , will touch on the importance of search-engine optimization, offer a guide to online analytics and show how to get found on Google Maps.
While attending gets businesses face-to-face time with about five Google employees, every local business — including ones who cannot attend — are eligible for a number of freebies. Google is working with hosting company to offer small businesses , free domain-name registration and free hosting for one year.
The offer does have some limits. It includes three web pages, 25 MB of space and 5 GB of bandwidth per month. The free hosting jumps to regular price after 12 months, and same with the annual fee for the domain name. Fees vary and StartLogic does not clearly publish what regular fees are though at $8.49 per month.
“We’re really doing this to generate positive economic impact across the country,” said Emily Harris, marketing manager for . “Last year, Google helped generate in the U.S. economy through services to advertisers and publishers. We’re committed to doing more. And small business is the engine of the U.S. economy.”
Another motive is Google gets better data, which it analyzes to find trends about consumer shopping habits. At the seminar, Google employees will help businesses claim and update their online profiles with correct business hours, locations and other data.
“We know that consumers are 38 percent more likely to visit (a business) and 29 percent are more likely to consider purchasing from a business with a complete business listing,” Harris said. “Complete business information can really generate more business.”
Event details
What: Google’s Letap Put Denver on the Map
When: Friday, December 11, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Denver Metro Chamber at 1445 Market St, Denver, CO 80202
RSVP:
