ShopHERE is funded by a combination of the federal government and province of Ontario, combined with key corporate sponsors to help Ontario businesses and artists get selling online.
To address this need, Digital Main Street is collaborating with Google, Shopify, Mastercard and Microsoft to build and optimize online stores for small independent businesses and artists in just a matter of days.
Luma Qusus Awad
"This program is a godsend for small businesses and artists! Having a store online made it easy for me to stay connected with my clients all over the world. It was a great learning experience and the meetings were so organized and informative."
Cindy Chiupka-Jozin
"This program has been indispensable in understanding the possibilities of promoting my business online! I am fortunate to have this program to aid with navigating the online world."
Gillian Mapp
"ShopHERE makes figuring out next steps amongst the COVID-19 situation so much easier. The program is an amazing opportunity to have someone to guide you through taking your business online."
Shawn Paul Thompson
"I've sold four paintings 2.5 weeks into the launch of my store. Being online offers access to an unlimited audience and market–bigger than ever before. Business is all about being seen, and ShopHERE has put the eyes of the world on my personal and creative brand."
Marian Claudio
"I was able to launch a proper website and I received so much help in terms of customizing it... My e-Commerce Coordinator guided me through every step of the way. It literally took my business from IRL to URL!"
Rose Nixon
"I had nothing to lose and everything to gain from ShopHERE being... FREE. Within a matter of weeks, RON had a beautiful online presence that not only provided a basis for customers to learn about RON and their services, but purchase these services directly from the website. I can now reach more people without limitations to just the GTA."
Julie Humphries
“Our business really halted in March when the lockdown started. We knew we needed to rethink how we find new clients and going online was the obvious first choice. We really needed a hand getting our website launched and the ShopHERE Program came along at the exact right time!”
Tammy Stuart
"This program is a godsend for small businesses and artists! All I had to do was send some photos and update my inventory! Now that it is all done, the time I will save in just creating shipping labels is mind blowing! The inventory tracking on the Shopify site is another awesome perk!"
Laura Freel
"The hardest part is getting started, and my ShopHERE Helper did that with the website. It meant I was able to still work on my products, and thousands of other things that need to be done as a small business owner, while she did the initial setup."
Their choice of an online store customized with their information, branding, logo, etc.
Hands-on assistance setting up and launching their online store.
Training to support their online store, including topics such as digital marketing, shipping and inventory management.
Access to free tools to help support the launch of their online stores.
** The ShopHERE program is free for participants to sign up and have a Shopify store built. Businesses will be responsible for the monthly Shopify fee after the initial 90-day trial.
View the full list of additional benefits provided by program partners.
The ShopHERE powered by Google program is currently open to small independent businesses and artists that meet the following requirements:
Or must be an artist.
The ShopHERE program helps small businesses and artists get online to reach local and global audiences.