PROVIDENCE, RI – In an effort to help more Rhode Island businesses establish a web presence and find new customers, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is encouraging local small businesses to attend “Rhode Island Get Your Business Online” a series of free workshops hosted by Google and Intuit on Monday, June 11 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

While Ninety-seven percent of Americans look for local products and services online, a majority of Rhode Island small businesses do not have a website.

“Some small-business owners can be intimidated by the notion of creating a website.  They may think it is too expensive, technically difficult, or time consuming.  But this workshop is designed to make it easy for businesses to create their own customized web site in about an hour.  They can also get tips on promoting their site to new customers and help ensuring potential customers can find them,” said Reed, who will stop by the event to meet with local business owners and Google and Intuit employees.

Google will help small businesses create a free website, customized domain name, and provide free web hosting for one year.  After the year of free services expires, participating businesses may choose whether to maintain their websites themselves or through Intuit, which offers domain names for $2 per month and web hosting for $4.99 per month.

For further information and to register for the event, visit: www.RhodeIslandGetOnline.com

WHAT: Rhode Island Get Your Business Online in Providence

WHEN: Monday, June 11 from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Rhode Island Convention Center

1 Sabin Street

Providence