Digital Main Street

• Up to $2,500 in Digital Transformation Grant funding – the grant can be used for things like digital marketing, website design and redevelopment, software, digital training, and some hardware expenses.
• One-on-one support from our Digital Service Squad (DSS) – the DSS can work with your business to provide tailored advisory support that caters to your existing knowledge base and your business objectives. For example, the DSS might help you claim your "Google My Business" profile, enhance your social media presence, or support you in the creation of an e-commerce page for your business. The DSS even has a very cool 360-degree camera that can be used to capture your business.
• In-depth online training – the training provides businesses with the digital literacy skills they need to execute their digital transformation, covering everything from Search Engine Optimization, Google Analytics, social media, and everything in between. 
• NEW THIS YEAR
  • shopHERE: get selling online right away with a no-cost online store, built and customized for your business. Information sessions are being held every Thursday - sign up here.
  • Transformation Teams: specialized and in-depth business transformation services and support that help existing main street firms adapt to changes in their sector.

How can Grey Highlands businesses participate?

• Any business in Grey Highlands is eligible for one-on-one support from our Digital Service Squad.
• Businesses located in Flesherton, Markdale, Priceville, Maxwell, Kimberley, Eugenia, Rocklyn, and Feversham and are zoned C1 are eligible (including businesses that participated in the first round of DMS) for the Digital Transformation Grant.

How can I get started?

• Reach out to our Digital Service Squad Coordinator, Gillian Griffin. Don’t be shy, say Hi! We are so excited to hear from you and to support our local businesses once again

Do you want to sell your goods and/or services online but not sure where to start? Are you short of cash to hire a developer to get a site up and running? Through Digital Main Street's ShopHere program, small businesses and artists can start selling online right away with a no-cost, professional e-commerce site.

Through shopHere you'll be teamed up with a web developer who will design and create a unique online store for your business. Stores are customized with your information, branding, and logo, and you'll receive hands-on assistance to set up and launch the store. 

If you'd like to consult the shopHere team to determine if the program is right for you, sign up here. Or if you have questions about the program or other Digital Main Street services, don't hesitate to reach out to our Digital Service Squad via dmsadmin@greyhighlands.ca.  

What would your small business do with $2,500 to invest in digital technology? Earlier this year, Grey County Real Estate was awarded a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant and they seized the opportunity to revamp their online presence. 

"Our website had not been changed since we opened, and the grant facilitated the opportunity to step into the next stage of our business and continue building our business online," says Kristen Bryan of Grey County Real Estate. 

The Digital Transformation Grant is versatile and can be used for expenses related to digital marketing, website design, content creation, software, training and hardware. If your business is located within the towns of Markdale, Flesherton, Maxwell, Feversham, Eugenia, Kimberley, Rocklyn or Priceville, you could be eligible for the grant. To find out more, contact your Digital Service Squad today via dmsadmin@greyhighlands.ca.

Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to manage how your business appears when someone searches for your business or a related topic. With Google My Business you can manage your location, hours, photos, reviews and more. 

Over 64% of consumers rely on Google My Business to find contact details for local businesses, and ensuring that your listing is active and up to date greatly improves the chances that your next customer will be able to find you quickly and with ease.

"Creating our Google listing has been very helpful for our business! It has made it easy for people to find us which has really helped our business overall," says Danielle, co-owner of The Hair Shop on Main in Markdale. In January 2020, with support from Grey Highlands' Digital Service Squad, The Hair Shop claimed their GMB listing. Following The Shop's move to a new location, this was a critical step in ensuring that their customers, both old and new, were able to easily find them. 

For support in claiming your Google My Business listing and other digital services, contact your Digital Service Squad today via dmsadmin@greyhighlands.ca