MANCHESTER — Representatives from Google will host a small business tech workshop Friday at 8:30 a.m., at the Southern New Hampshire University Dining Center, 2500 N. River Road.

The “New Hampshire Get Your Business Online” event will include Google experts who will provide local business owners with step-by-step guidance about how to create websites, advertise online, and use other online tools to market products and attract customers. Participating small businesses also will have access to a free professional website, domain name, and hosting for one year at no cost.

“Small businesses are the backbone of New Hampshire's economy,” said U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, a member of the Senate Small Business and Commerce Committees, who will help kick off the event. “This initiative will help provide local entrepreneurs with the tools and expertise they need to successfully get their businesses online.”

“The perception that getting online is complex, costly and time-consuming has prevented many New Hampshire small businesses from taking the first step,” said Brian Cusack, head of industry at Google. “This program makes it fast, easy and free for businesses to get online.”

According to Google, while more than 98 percent of Americans search online for businesses, 53 percent of New Hampshire businesses do not have a website.

Google's “Get Your Business Online” initiative has helped more than 200,000 participating small businesses start the process of getting online.

Small businesses can register to attend at NewHampshireGetOnline.com.