Web training launched as study finds one fifth of small businesses still without website
The seminars, which will cover web design and search engine optimisation, are being hosted by the Forum of Private Business, which has just released research that found 21 per cent of UK small businesses still are without a website.
Speaking to BigHospitality today, the British Hospitality Association (BHA) highlighted the importance of websites for small restaurant and hotel owners.
"A restaurant without a website is really operating with one hand behind its back," said a spokesman for the BHA. "They can be used for providing basic information, such as menus, opening times etc, but they are even more important for promoting special deals and offers; for many, the website is also an important booking tool."
He added: "They need to be regularly updated, which takes time and money, but the cost, in the long run, will be worth it."
Meanwhile, the Forum of Private Business stressed that firms stand to lose valuable business opportunities if they do not invest in a website.
Forum spokesman Phil McCabe said: “The vast majority of small firms should, by now have at least some form of online presence – they are missing out on valuable sales and marketing opportunities if they don’t.”
He added: “The internet is now thought to be the first port of call for around 80 per cent of people when looking for a product or service, and having a website carried with it a range of other benefits, such as added legitimacy to your business in the eyes of your customers and clients.”
A full programme of the events, which are running until 7 December, can be viewed here.
