Get Digital CA! California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate Helps Small Businesses Grow Digital Footprint

Through this partnership with Google, as well as California’s network of small business centers, diverse small business groups, and other corporate partners, CalOSBA is launching the first component of its new e-commerce initiative, Get Digital CA,an effort to promote e-commerce to help California small businesses build the skills they need to compete in an online marketplace, increase their revenues, and improve resilience in the face of California’s current multi-disaster environment.

Small business resilience is strengthened with technology and e-commerce strategies. A recent research report by Connected Commerce Council and Google found that 93% of small businesses were disrupted by COVID-19 and, as a result, 85% of small businesses have had to rethink their approach to digital tools, with many small businesses using digital tools more and in new ways. This research also found that small business leaders of color have been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic, and businesses that have remained open attribute their resilience to embracing technology. The initiative will focus on advancing equity goals with targeted programming in historically under-resourced regions of the state and with entrepreneurs who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, including businesses owned by people of color.

California’s small businesses are an indomitable force, tirelessly working to pivot and address the ever-changing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have seen thousands of these businesses embrace change to adapt their businesses to a new marketplace, including adopting digital technology at higher rates,said Isabel Guzman, CalOSBA’s Director. This initiative will give our small businesses the extra help they need to go from surviving in a digital marketplace to thriving.

We’re proud to partner with California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate and GO-Biz to host four free digital skills workshops. ΓÇÿGrow with Google,’ helps create economic opportunities for job seekers and small businesses through free digital tools and trainings, which has become increasingly important as we navigate today’s challenges,said Lisa Gevelber, Vice President Grow with Google. These workshops will help small business owners in California understand how online tools can help them serve their customers and grow their business.

The dates and topics for the “Grow with Google” workshop series can be found below. To register, click here.

• 09/22/2020: Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps: Learn about Google My Business – 10:00 AM PTA free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. Get hands-on help creating or updating your business profile or a simple website.
• 09/24/2020: Ponga su negocio local en Google Search y Maps – 10:00 AM PT Explore Google My Business, una herramienta gratuita para empresas que desean conectarse con clientes en Google Search y Maps.
• 09/30/2020: Make Your Website Work for You – 10:00 AM PT In this presentation, learners will discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports their goals. Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.
• 10/07/2020: Use YouTube to Grow Your Business – 10:00 AM PT Get best practices for creating a YouTube Channel and compelling video content that promotes your products and services and drives engagement with your brand.

CalOSBA’s Get Digital CAinitiative builds off its work supporting the Calling ALL Californians: #ShopSafeShopLocalcampaign launched in July, and the 40+ free or discounted partner resources offered to support small businesses get digital. For more information and to connect to these important resources, visit our #ShopSafeShopLocal Resources page.

About GO-Biz
TheGovernor’s Office of Business and Economic Development(GO-Biz) serves as the State of California’s leader for job growth and economic development efforts. GO-Biz offers a range of services to business owners including: attraction, retention and expansion services, site selection, permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and much more. For more information visit theGO-Biz website.

About CalOSBA
The Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) helps support economic growth and innovation by working to ensure that California’s small businesses and entrepreneurs have the information, tools and resources they need to plan, launch, manage and grow their businesses successfully and be resilient. The CalOSBA serves to elevate their voices in state government and to advocate on their behalf to help ensure all aspiring and current small business owners and entrepreneurs are provided with the opportunity to access capital, access markets, and connect to the networks and resources they need to succeed. For more informationvisit the website.

Kaitlin Lewis
Assistant Deputy Director of Communications
Email Kaitlin,HERE
Phone: (916) 204-2107