Free Jan. 22 Virtual Workshop Helps Dubois County Small Businesses Build Websites

Dubois County small business owners took part in a free two-hour virtual workshop on Jan. 22 that focused on practical steps to create a professional online presence. The session, Basics of Website Development - Build Your Business Online, ran from 6:00 to 8:00 PM EST and walked participants through why a strong web presence matters, platform choices, securing a domain name, a live Wix demonstration and ways AI tools can support logo creation and business growth.

The workshop addressed a common hurdle for Main Street businesses in Jasper, Huntingburg and Ferdinand: translating local reputation and foot traffic into discoverable, bookable and shoppable online offerings. Attendees learned how a basic website can host menus, appointment booking, product catalogs and contact information that search engines index, making local firms more visible to customers beyond walk-ins and word of mouth. The live Wix demonstration gave a step-by-step view of building pages, adding images and linking a purchased domain, all within a two-hour format designed for owners and staff with limited technical experience.

Organizers covered platform options and domain registration to help entrepreneurs weigh upfront costs, ongoing hosting fees and the flexibility different systems offer. The session also highlighted AI applications that speed logo creation and content generation, lowering design expenses for startups and sole proprietors. Presenters emphasized using AI tools to accelerate branding while pairing automated outputs with local knowledge for authentic customer connections.

Local economic implications are practical. For small retailers, restaurants and service providers, a functioning website can reduce reliance on paid advertising and phone inquiries, streamline order fulfilment and extend market reach to neighboring counties and tourists passing through Interstate 64 and U.S. 231. For sole proprietors and home-based businesses, an online listing and domain name establish legitimacy that can influence customer decisions and access to third-party sales channels.

The workshop was presented as an entry-level session ideal for entrepreneurs starting out or those looking to strengthen an existing web presence. Registration had been available at lnkd.in/gFMCgsXC. While the two-hour format cannot replace hands-on development work, it offered concrete next steps: select a platform, register a domain, and apply simple AI tools for initial branding.

For Dubois County business owners, the event translated digital strategy into immediate actions that can increase discoverability and sales. As the local economy adapts to more online-first consumer behavior, basic web skills are becoming a practical investment in resilience and growth.