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Only 37 percent of businesses, nonprofits and other organizations have claimed an online presence on the popular search engine Google.
When Cohlab Chief Executive Cliff Robbins in St. Cloud heard this from Google executives, he knew it needed to change.
"There are two things that can happen when you don't claim your online presence," Robbins said. "One, Google will try and figure it out on their own, which can lead to mistakes. Two, others can claim it, hijack it and re-direct your information to a spam-type website."
As more consumers use smartphones to look up business addresses, locations, hours and phone numbers, businesses that have not claimed a presence with Google may be at a disadvantage.
"I would think (that as a business owner) it is critically important for people to find me on (a Google) map and that my information is correct. If it's not correct it can frustrate individuals and could lose me customers," Robbins said.
With the launch of Google's "Let's Put Our Cities on the Map" campaign in March, the search engine giant is aggressively looking to help make businesses across the country have a presence in a Google search, Google maps and Google+.
The "Let's Put Our Cities on the Map" campaign will come to the St. Cloud area July 9. The free event is done in collaboration with Cohlab.
The hour-and-a-half program that starts at 9 a.m. will walk business owners step-by-step through creating and/or claiming a Google My Business profile. About four employees of Cohlab, a digital marketing company, will be there to help small business owners.
"The goal is to encourage everyone to be up to Google specifications," Robbins said.
Through its campaign Google has assisted over 5 million businesses across the nation in starting, claiming or updating important information.
"It doesn't matter who you are. From an economic development standpoint, this is a huge opportunity," Robbins said.
The July 9 event has room for 70 participants. Registration is required. About 30 people have registered for the event so far.
Robbins said Cohlab is in communication with the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls about doing a similar Google program specifically for area nonprofits.
Robbins also said depending on demand, Cohlab might schedule another training event for area businesses.
"Google is like Pac-Man, everything else just fits in its mouth. That's why it is so critical that the information you have out there is correct," he said.
Follow Vicki Ikeogu on Twitter @VickiSCTimes or call her at 259-3662.
If you go ...
What: "Let's Put Our Cities on the Map" business training event hosted by Cohlab.
When: July 9
Where: Resource Training & Solutions, 137-23rd St. S, Suite 201, Sartell
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.
Registration: The event is free, but registration is required. Visit www.cohlab.com to sign up.
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