Upcoming forum offers tips on netting Web growth

On Friday, Nov. 20, businesses have the opportunity to learn how to leverage the Internet to grow their business from Chris Bessler, founder of Keokee Company.

Recent estimates reveal at least 70 percent of small companies now use the Internet to help operate their business, yet with more than 1 billion Web sites, the small business Web site is often virtually invisible and even difficult for customers to find.

Bessler will discuss how businesses can define their Web site goals, take steps to achieve those goals, unravel some of the mysteries of search engine optimization and search marketing, and share other ideas for improving results from the business Web site.

Bessler founded Keokee Co. Publishing in 1990, and expanded his company services to Web site development in 1995.

Currently, Keokee hosts more than 150 Web sites for local and regional businesses, and provides Web site services including search optimization and marketing. Keokee produces the community portal Web site SandpointOnline.com which now logs over 1 million hits from 20,000-plus unique visitors per month, and also publishes the bi-annual Sandpoint Magazine.

Among other experiences, Bessler was vice president of content for iCARumba.com, a Seattle-based automotive services portal he helped found in 2000 during the dot-com boom, which in 2001 became the sole provider of the CarPoint auto services channel on MSN.com.

The workshop is part of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Committee’s 2009 TGIF Workshop series presented by the Bonner Business Center and sponsored by MetLife Home Loans.  

The cost is $12 for members and $15 for non-members and includes a lunch provided by a local restaurant.  

Advanced reservations required and can be made at the chamber at 263-2161 or online at www.SandpointChamber.com.