CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The City of Clarksburg will be leading a workshop to help local businesses learn how they can increase their internet presence and lead to greater customer foot traffic.
The “Let’s Put Clarksburg on the Map” workshop will feature a step-by-step guide for businesses who want to improve their online presence, and these businesses will get a free domain name for one year.
“It’s a big event,” Clarksburg Marketing Director Dominique Medina said. “We’re trying to get every business in Clarksburg on the map.”
This issue is of vital importance in an age where consumers are increasingly using the internet to get information about products and services available in unfamiliar areas, but only 37 percent of businesses around the country have an online presence.
“Four out of five consumers use search engines to find local information nearby,” Medina said. “97 percent of consumers look online for local goods and services.”
Medina said that most customers are simply looking for basic facts about a business when they search online.
“The number one thing customers search for when they’re looking online is the hours of operation and the phone numbers of a business,” she said. “And you’d be surprised how many businesses around here don’t have that when they search.”
The basic information, among other things, can add to a business’ credibility.
“People want to see a photo,” Medina said. “People want to see your hours of operation, your phone number–very important. Your address and reviews, etc.”
Medina said that businesses failing to do this will seem less relevant to a potential consumer–which hurts the overall bottom line.
“This day and age you have to stay relevant so people can find you,” she said. “Clarksburg has so many great businesses, and we want people that visit Clarksburg can search and find information on the many products and services and great businesses we here in Clarksburg have to offer.”
The first workshop is set for July 22nd at the Gaston Caperton Center on the campus of Fairmont State University.