Grow Your Business Online
Applications are now closed
Thank you for your interest in Access Local. We are no longer accepting applications for this program. However we have a number of other business support programs available.
Bring your store online in as little as two weeks with ShopHERE powered by Google. You’ll get a customized website, hands-on assistance, and training and tools to build, launch, and manage your online store—at no cost to you. The ShopHERE powered by Google program is being delivered by Halifax Partnership in collaboration with Digital Main Street.
Develop & Launch Your Store Online
If you are a small local business in the retail or manufacturing sectors based in Halifax, ShopHERE offers the opportunity to build your digital presence by developing and launching a free online store. ShopHERE will help you select the most appropriate e-commerce solution for your business’s goals, between the Shopify and Square Online platforms.
As a business you will get:
- Customized online store with your business’s information, branding, and logo.
- 1-to-1 help and tools to set up and launch your online store.
- Training in digital marketing, shipping, inventory management, and more.
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"My favourite thing about the ShopHERE program was how user-friendly it was. I found it so easy to add, remove or make any changes." -Akin Gulerto, Channel Sales Manager at Rimot
Visit their website
“I launched my website in under a week with limited items up and received two orders already for in-store pick up. The process was easy!” – Erin, Owner of Momma Bear Boutique
Visit their website
“I’ve had a great experience working with my Ecommerce Coordinator in getting my store set up. She was great to work with, very clear in her teaching and never condescending about my lack of knowledge, which I really appreciated.” – Heather, Owner of Jewellery Designs by Heather
Visit their websiteHow it Works
The whole process can take between two to six weeks and you will be guided through the following steps:
Step 1
Sign Up & Approval
Step 2
Online Store Development
Step 3
Online Review & Launch
Step 4
Training & Support
Does your business qualify?
ShopHERE is currently open to small local businesses that meet the following requirements:
- A registered business based in Halifax
- Operating in the retail or manufacturing sectors
- Have a commercial location or home-based
- Fewer than twenty-five employees
- Must have a fully developed, sales-ready, scalable product
- Not a corporate chain or franchise
- Must be willing to commit time to onboard and maintain websites
Program Partners
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many businesses will be accepted for ShopHERE?There are up to 100 spots available. Eligible businesses will be accepted into the program on a first-come-first-serve, rolling basis.
Is there a cost to participate in ShopHERE?No, there is no cost to participate thanks to the generous support of Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency and other public and private partners.
The program includes the entire online store construction, training and marketing support. Ecommerce Coordinators can build online stores via Shopify or Square and will walk participants through each platform and help you decide which is right for your business. Shopify is offering a 90-day free trial of their Basic Plan. There are various paid options following. Square offers both free and paid plans.
How will businesses be chosen for ShopHERE?Interested businesses must apply online. Businesses who meet the following requirements will then be accepted into the program on a first-come-first-serve, rolling basis:
- Are based in Halifax
- Have a commercial location or is home-based
- Have fewer than twenty-five employees
- Are not a corporate chain or franchise
What is the duration of the program?Participants will work with their ShopHERE Helpers two-to-six times. The program is expected to take between two-to-six weeks total.
Learn more about ShopHERE
In this webinar, we sit down with Emileah Baumen, Digital Main Street ShopHERE Program Manager to discuss ShopHERE Halifax.
Learn more about how the program can help you bring your store online in as little as two weeks.
Other Resources
Additional tools and resources offered by our partners to help your business reach new clients, diversify income streams, and increase resilience, can be found at the following links:
Access easy-to-use digital tools
- The Halifax Chamber of Commerce's Business Recovery Project is a training program focused on supporting businesses by providing digital tools they can use for operations, logistics, and automated marketing.
Update technology and process
- Nova Scotia Business Inc.'s Digital Adoption Program supports Nova Scotia businesses to rapidly adopt digital tools and innovations, upgrade machinery and equipment, and create industrial automation and digital supply chain implementations. This program offsets the cost of building or improving a business’s online presence through financial incentives.
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