Google is partnering with small businesses in our rural communities with a goal of getting these businesses listed on search engines. Jefferson has been selected as a location to host the free Google workshop, “Let’s Get Jefferson on the Map,” on Monday, May 9, at 7 p.m. in the Greene County High School computer lab. Pam Johnson, a Google facilitator from Ft. Dodge will lead the presentation and provide attendees with hands-on experience in navigating Google on the computers in the school lab or on their own laptop or smartphone. Jefferson Matters: Main Street has teamed up with instructors and entrepreneurial students from Greene County High School to assist during the workshop. Johnson says that the program was introduced based on new data showing that only 37 percent of small businesses have a local listing on any search engine, but people are 38 percent more likely to visit small businesses that have an online listing. Furthermore, 29 percent of people polled said they were more likely to consider purchases from businesses listed online. Google has created a custom website for the city of Jefferson that will be used in the workshop as Johnson leads participants through step-by-step instructions on how to get listed online. To RSVP for Monday’s workshop, email: director@jeffersonmatters.org, or call 515-386-3585.
