Waterford City Enterprise, in association with Google, will host a free web seminar that will give small businesses and sole traders the opportunity to create a website and get on line for free.
The initiative, “Getting Irish Business Online”, was recently launched by An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D. and calls on all businesses that do not have a website to log on to www.gettingbusinessonline.ie where they can create their business website for free.
Research by Google found that 40% of Irish commercial SMEs do not have a website and almost 60% do not have an entry in an online directory.
According to Ciaran Cullen, Acting CEO of Waterford City Enterprise, Waterford businesses match the national trend. “Some of these statistics uncovered by Google are quite astonishing. Currently, over 75% of customers use the internet as their primary tool for researching new companies and products and 68% believe that search engines help to find relevant sellers of products. Companies, particularly start ups, are at a distinct disadvantage if they don’t have an online presence. For many new companies there are many outlays in setting up, such as production, staff, overheads and utilities, so in many cases on line marketing takes a back seat.”
“This seminar and subsequent workshops will give small businesses that don’t have an online presence the advice, tools and resources to get online. The seminar will be followed up by two workshops for participants. These workshops will cost €25 and participants will get the chance to work with trainers and professionals in creating their own website, getting online, opening up new markets and generally becoming more competitive.”
“Looking at the statistics from Google we really believe that an online presence is crucial for small business success. By creating a website through Getting Irish Business Online or by working with local professional web designers SME’s can become more viable.”
Waterford City Enterprise Board free Web seminar will take place on Thursday, June 23rd at the Tower Hotel, Waterford from 9am to 11.30am. The follow up workshops will commence on Tuesday July 5th.
To register for the seminar and workshops or for further information about getting your free business website call Waterford City Enterprise Board on 051 – 852883 or log onto www.gettingbusinessonline.ie
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