As surprising as it might seem, not every business has a website. In fact, an estimated 56 percent of small businesses in Pennsylvania don’t have one. But in 2012, every business needs at least a basic site with bare-bones information explaining what the business is all about, where it's located and when it's open.
“Being online is like taking credit cards,” says Christian Conroy, director of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers. “It's what you have to do today to be successful.”
He notes that to some small-business owners, the idea of designing a website seems daunting. Fortunately, they can get some help next week from the mother of all online search sites.
On April 10 and 11, representatives from Google will team up with the state's Small Business Development Centers to show business owners how to make their own websites — for free. Those who already have websites can learn more about how to be successful with an online presence. The two-day workshop will be in Pittsburgh, where Google has an office, and business representatives can attend for one or both days.
Conroy notes that the SBDC can help business owners develop websites even if they can't make it to the Pittsburgh event. He hopes to the organization can conduct similar workshops in other parts of the state.
Source: Christian Conroy, Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen