West Virginia University at Parkersburg and the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley are helping small businesses grow their presence online with a Grow Your Business Online workshop, featuring tips on how to kick-start the customer holiday shopping season through business marketing. Discussion topics include: how to get in front of customers and showcase services using Google My Business, Google Ads, and more. The workshop will be hosted on Friday, Oct. 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in WVU Parkersburg’s Workforce and Economic Development building.

This workshop will feature an exclusive Google livestream event focused on helping local businesses leverage Google features to help their online presence and make sure they have the tools they need to get the most out of the holiday selling season. Information gained from this session also applies to non-retail businesses, as attendees will learn about Google services to help with personal marketing goals.

“We are always excited to partner with the Mid-Ohio Valley Chamber of Commerce on educational events like this,” said Michele Wilson, Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development for WVU Parkersburg.  “Our Google workshop last year was sold out and we received a lot of positive feedback about us hosting additional events that help small companies in ways they may not be able to take advantage of on their own. We think given the time of year and season we are going into, this will be very helpful to a lot of local businesses.”

Businesses that are online grow 40 percent faster than those who are not. The Grow Your Business Online program is designed by Google to empower local businesses by getting them on Google Search and Maps.

Visit www.movchamber.org for more information or to register. There is a $15 registration fee and attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop.