CDAP Powers Alexandria Customs’ Online Store
From a childhood passion to a thriving tech store, Cody Pierce, owner of Alexandria Customs, transformed his side hustle into a successful business in Alexandria, Ontario. Specializing in custom PCs, components, and accessories, the store meets all your tech needs. Thanks to the CDAP microgrant, Cody could invest in essential e-commerce tools and advertising, helping the business thrive and succeed.
Cody's journey into the tech world began with a childhood fascination with computers, which gradually evolved into a side hustle where he built and sold custom PCs. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his previous employment, Cody saw an opportunity to fully pursue his passion for computers. This decisive moment led to the official launch of Alexandria Customs as a home-based business in 2019.
Since then, Alexandria Customs has grown from a passion project into a vibrant tech store in Alexandria, Ontario. The business is dedicated to providing high-quality technology solutions, specializing in custom PCs, computer components, and accessories. Alexandria Customs stands out for its commitment to personalized service and its unique range of tech offerings. The business aims to address the growing demand for tailored technology solutions and reliable tech support. Their mission is to provide customers with customized, high-performance tech products while fostering a strong connection with the local community.
Cody knew he needed to enhance his existing online presence but was unsure how to make it happen effectively. His hesitation stemmed from uncertainties about e-commerce improvements and limited funds. Upgrading his online store and investing in digital tools seemed daunting and costly, making it hard for him to see how these changes would benefit his business in the long run.
That’s where the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) came to the rescue. CDAP is all about helping small businesses like Alexandria Customs by offering financial support and expert advice. With its microgrant and 1-1 advisor support, CDAP helps businesses overcome digital hurdles and thrive in today’s online world.
The e-commerce advisor who supported Cody in his CDAP project played a key role in Alexandria Customs’ digital transformation. She guided him through the process with practical advice, making complex digital strategies easier to understand and implement.
Cody, shared, “(Our) e-commerce advisor was an absolute rockstar in delivering the information we needed to take our website to the next level. I especially loved how she gave us constructive feedback about our website in real-time so we could talk everything through in a very practical and human way… She really did an amazing job of tailoring the meetings to my business specifically and coming from a tech background myself, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and vast scope of her knowledge!”
With the $2,400 microgrant, Cody was able to invest in crucial upgrades for their existing online store. This funding allowed him to enhance his website with advanced online forms and launch targeted advertising—essential steps for improving his e-commerce functionality and driving more customer engagement.
The CDAP microgrant has been pivotal in transforming Alexandria Customs' e-commerce strategy, helping the business overcome initial reluctance to invest in essential online tools and advertising. With this support, the company was able to enhance its website with premium features and launch effective marketing campaigns, addressing critical needs for modern business success. This investment enabled Alexandria Customs to expand from local deliveries to North American-wide shipping, resulting in a significant increase in orders and setting the stage for future growth.
“The CDAP microgrant helped me to overcome the reluctance I had to invest in polishing our website for future e-commerce success. It's hard to invest in abstract expenses such as premium online form plugins and online advertising when your capital is limited because you're trying to get your business off the ground. Yet in the long term these investments are crucial for a healthy modern business,” shared Cody
Moving forward, Alexandria Customs aims to continue refining its website and amplifying their marketing efforts to further boost their store’s conversion rate and online presence. Cody's advice for fellow business owners considering the Canada Digital Adoption Program:
“Although you may feel overwhelmed at the thought of tackling the online market because there's already so much to do when you're managing a small business at the local level – accept the help to get started and take those first steps because once you get that online snowball growing, the next steps become clearer. Stick to it and you're likely to see growth beyond your wildest imagination.”
Check out Alexandria Customs’ website to see all their tech products and customized services. Stay up to date and engage with Alexandria Customs on social media:
If you’re interested in exploring e-commerce opportunities for your business, CDAP may be the right opportunity for you. To learn more about the CDAP program, please visit here.
Digital Main Street was created by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) with direct support from the City of Toronto. DMS is also supported by a group of strategic business partners, including Google, Mastercard, Shopify, Meta, Intuit QuickBooks, Square, Lightspeed, Ebay and Canada Post.
As part of the Canada Digital Adoption Program, the Government of Canada has partnered with Digital Main Street to deliver the Grow Your Business Online grant to small businesses in Ontario. The program offers eligible business owners a micro-grant of up to $2,400 to help with the costs related to implementing an e-commerce strategy and hands-on support from a network of E-commerce Advisors.
