Three-day website cohort
Launch-ready websites for local business cohorts.
CodeForce helps community development organizations, small business programs, adult education centers, and local partners run a practical website cohort where participants leave with a working starter site, clearer business wording, and a simple next-step plan.
The class starts with a free WordPress.com site, so participants can learn without being required to buy hosting during the cohort. When they are ready, they can keep the free starter site, use a custom web address, upgrade WordPress.com, move to separate website hosting, or book CodeForce for launch support.
Program fit
Designed for useful local business results.
This cohort works for organizations serving entrepreneurs, microbusinesses, nonprofits, artists, makers, contractors, service providers, and community members who need a real online presence but feel overwhelmed by website choices.
For CDCs and small business programs
The cohort gives participants something they can see and use while teaching the choices behind a website: message, audience, contact path, trust, web address, hosting, and next steps.
For adult education and workforce partners
The lessons are hands-on and plain-language. Participants can work with an existing business, a new idea, or a community project.
For grant-funded programs
The format gives participants clear takeaways: worksheets, a starter website, a checklist, and optional support choices after the cohort.
Relevant local experience
CodeForce already works with community partners and adult learners.
Partner organizations get a trainer who understands small business support, senior-friendly teaching, grant-funded programs, and practical technology help in Western Massachusetts.
Southern Hilltown Adult Education Center
CodeForce has taught technology classes and helped with senior tech hours, including patient support for everyday computer, phone, account, and online safety questions.
Greenfield Community College
CodeForce has supported community technology learning through beginner-friendly classes and local workshops designed for adults, seniors, and community members.
Franklin County CDC
CodeForce has taught practical small business technology classes, including Canva-focused sessions that help participants create cleaner marketing materials and social content.
Legacy Economic Development Corp
CodeForce supports Legacy Economic Development Corp in Springfield, MA with social media strategy and practical digital visibility guidance.
August 2026 website cohort model
CodeForce is preparing this three-day cohort for local business support programs that want participants to learn by building something real.
Plain-language tech instruction
Classes are designed for mixed comfort levels, with live walkthroughs, worksheets, follow-along notes, and practical examples that make technology feel usable.
Downloads
Review the cohort materials before booking.
These resources show what participants do each day, what they leave with, and what choices they can make after class.
Partner one-sheet
Short overview for community development organizations and local partners: results, format, audience, and why the free starter website works.
Three-day agenda
Session-by-session plan covering the homepage, core pages, mobile review, publishing, and after-class choices.
Participant website planner
A worksheet participants can fill out to gather their business info, homepage message, services, contact details, photos, reviews, and examples.
Website checklist
A simple guide for deciding whether to keep the free starter site, use a custom web address, upgrade, buy hosting, or ask for help.
Class outline
Three sessions from website idea to starter site.
Day 1
Plan the site and write the homepage
Participants choose a website goal, identify their audience, write the first version of their homepage, gather photos and contact details, and create a free WordPress.com starter site.
- Website goal and call to action
- Homepage headline and service list
- Content gathering checklist
- Free starter site setup
Day 2
Build the core pages
Participants build the site structure, add core content, and learn how to make the site feel clear, local, credible, and easy to contact from a phone.
- Home, About, Services, and Contact
- Menus, buttons, images, and sections
- Mobile readability review
- Trust signals and local details
Day 3
Publish and choose what comes next
Participants review the starter site, publish or prepare to publish, and learn what website addresses, hosting, security, search basics, Google Business Profile, and maintenance mean.
- Site review and final checklist
- Search title and description basics
- Website address and hosting choices
- After-class next steps
Teaching approach
Participants learn what makes a website work.
The cohort helps participants make smart website choices: what to say, which pages matter, how customers should contact them, when to use a custom web address, and which next step fits their budget and goals.
- Available in person, online, or both.
- Works for brand-new ideas and existing small businesses.
- Includes worksheets, checklists, and downloadable resources.
- Optional add-ons can include online course access, office hours, or website review support.
After class
Participants choose what comes next.
Free option
Keep the starter site
Use the free WordPress.com address while the business idea, content, and offer are still being shaped.
Custom address option
Use a real web address
Move from a free WordPress.com address to a custom domain when the participant is ready to put the site on cards, flyers, social profiles, or Google.
Full website option
Move to separate hosting
For participants who need plugins, online payments, booking tools, stronger search work, custom forms, or more control.
Optional CodeForce support
Support options for participants who want help after the cohort.
Starting at
Website review
A focused review of the starter site, message, mobile layout, contact flow, and next-step checklist.
Starting at
Web address and upgrade help
Help choosing a web address, understanding the upgrade choices, connecting the site, and making sure the contact flow works.
Starting at
Starter website finish-up
Done-with-you or done-for-you support to polish the pages, improve calls to action, set up SEO basics, and prepare launch.
Transparency note
Participants stay in control of their tools.
CodeForce may recommend website platforms, domains, hosting, or WordPress tools. Some optional links may be affiliate or referral links, which means CodeForce may receive a commission at no extra cost to the participant. Participants are free to use any website platform, domain registrar, or hosting provider they prefer.