Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, SportsSmall Businesses Learn About Having Web Presence

Small Businesses Learn About Having Web Presence

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By Samantha Cahill, Greenbrier County Bureau Reporter - email

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LEWISBURG -

Living in the high-speed Internet age is convenient for customers to access information quickly online, but it sure does put the pressure on small businesses to have a strong web presence.

The Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce held a power lunch to present ideas and resources to help business owners build a website.

"If you are looking for a service in your area or a product, a lot of people, the first thing they'll do is open their computer and search online. If your business isn't coming up, you're missing out on an opportunity to make an impact and meet people that probably aren't a part of your business space yet," said Allender Stewart, web design presenter.

Stewart said if your business doesn't come up in a Google search for your area and services, you are missing out on business.

She said affordable resources online can help you kick-start your business website in no time, and 100 percent on your own.

"There's different websites that help people create their own content through very simple tutorials. All it takes is a simple Google search and you can be hours away from having your own web presence," said Stewart.

Stewart presented sites such as "Wix" and "Wordpress" as user friendly resources for beginners.

Small non-profit organizations such as Trillium Performing Arts in Lewisburg, find it more beneficial to control their own web content opposed to a professional company.

"When we revamped the website we found we could do everything in house and keep it much more up to date," said Larry Levine, Trillium business coordinator.

The new Trillium site not only provides information for current students, but it also reaches potential customers.

"We make contact with new people in the area. People that heard something about the organization. People may have come to an event and want to find out more about the organization," said Levine.

You can access handouts and powerpoints from Wednesday's website power lunch on the Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce website.