The Digital Main Street (DMS) program is empowering small businesses in Canada to achieve digital transformation by offering grants, training, support and access to strategic partners. Launched in 2016, the program is designed specifically to help offline businesses with physical stores cope with the expenses and challenges of setting up an online website. Below, the key initiatives of the DMS program are explored.
Digital Transformation Grant
The Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) is the primary pillar of the DMS program. It provides small businesses funding to help them adopt essential technologies. Eligible businesses receive financial support of up to $2,500, alongside help and advice to plan their digital transformation and execute it successfully. The use cases are wide-ranging and include overhauling payment processes, upgrading websites, running digital ad campaigns and enhancing cybersecurity.
While many DMS initiatives are open to businesses across Canada, the DTG scheme is limited to ‘brick-and-mortar’ establishments in Ontario. These businesses must have fewer than 50 employees and have previously completed the formative stages of the DMS program, which includes developing a digital transformation plan and conducting training. If successful, the grant provides small enterprises with the tools to grow their digital presence, which is vital in today’s ultra-competitive business environment.
The main website for the DMS program lists five areas for grant support: digital marketing, website, software, digital training and hardware. The aim is to support smaller, physical-only businesses in establishing a platform tailored to their target audience. This is an area where an online casino excels; they satisfy customer demands and needs by delivering a fast-loading, intuitive website with a diverse variety of games.
ShopHERE
The ShopHERE initiative helps businesses build their e-commerce infrastructure and broaden their reach with easy-to-use tools and tech. Central to the initiative is a talented group of students who create and configure an online store for eligible businesses and provide support for deploying it and increasing its visibility in search engines and across social media.
The program is open to micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees, though this increases to 25 for restaurants. Enrolled businesses receive access to benefits such as ad credits for Google and Facebook, and a trial for the Shopify e-commerce software platform, in addition to the student-driven support structure.
ShopHERE is ideal for businesses that are new to digital selling. When discussing the benefits of the initiative back in 2020, the Canadian government used a case study featuring a boutique pet store, Little Chief Co., which was able to transition to e-commerce and target expansion into new markets beyond the borders of Ontario. The government also revealed that thousands of businesses with physical stores had used grants and advice from students to build a feature-rich online storefront for the first time.
Future Proof program
Digital transformation is not a simple, one-stop undertaking. To thrive in the long term, small businesses need plans and tools to adapt to evolving technology and consumer habits. The Future Proof program is a “deep dive” into these potential challenges and opportunities, beyond the initial digital switchover. The initiative provides small businesses with personalized consultation and mentorship from a range of strategic business partners in Toronto and throughout Ontario.
Collaboration is key here. By building relationships and working together on projects, businesses can develop workable solutions to common economic and tech-based problems. Future proofing also involves exploring new online business models and installing core systems that improve communications, finance management and IT. The in-depth advice and action plans created by the professionals behind the Future Proof program help businesses in Canada gain a competitive edge and thrive for years to come.
Digital Service Squad
The Digital Service Squad (DSS) helps small businesses to start the process of digital transformation. The ‘squad’ is a team of trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar businesses to discuss their application for the Digital Transformation Grant, and how to develop a plan for digital transformation. The DSS offers assistance during the first stage of the process, but they are a vital facilitator in getting businesses online. For instance, one-on-one assistance can help stores create social media accounts and establish Google Business Profiles, which is key to engaging with local customers online.
It all adds up to a program that is adept in achieving its primary aim — assisting micro-enterprises to develop an online presence where they can reap the rewards of broader customer reach, 24/7 sales, increased customer satisfaction and the potential for rapid market growth. The Digital Main Street program is an exceptional resource for all small business owners targeting long-term success.
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