New Ventures Maine is launching an online, on-demand course, Grow Your Business Online, which is designed to provide small business owners the tools, skills and mentorship to build a successful digital presence.

This course is offered at no charge to participants and is made possible through Empower by GoDaddy in partnership with New Ventures Maine, according to a news release from the statewide community economic development program. The program runs through May 31, and participants can enroll at any time and work at their own pace.

The course will be offered through an online design and development platform. Entrepreneurs will complete lessons at their own pace on topics that focus on their company’s brand, determining the most effective website type, creating captivating content, getting to the top of web search results, creating and building a website, making the social media/website connection, using email marketing to grow sales, and understanding cybersecurity to keep customer information safe.

Entrepreneurs who participate in the class receive free tools:

• domain name and hosting package;

• web builder (software) access;

• branded email address;

• email marketing solution; and

• SEO for a two-year term.

Participants engage in remote orientations, working/lab sessions, and drop-in hours with a skilled web developer which are strategically scheduled for participating entrepreneurs to network and troubleshoot in a remote group environment as they develop their online presence. Additional mentoring opportunities are built into the program via a partnership with MicroMentor by Mercy Corps.

“A digital presence is a necessity for today’s businesses. This course will help business owners create an online presence, from foundational content through complete development of a functional website,” said Karin Petrin, business advisor and Microenterprise specialist for New Ventures Maine and one of the facilitators of the workshops. “We are excited to bring this free program and connection to global digital marketing experts to Maine’s rural entrepreneurs.”

Registration is required and accessible at bit.ly/GYBO-2022. For more information and to register, contact Petrin at 207-768-9468 or [email protected].

For more information on classes and other programs and services offered by New Ventures Maine, visit newventuresmaine.org.