{"id":72979,"date":"2020-06-22T12:56:07","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T16:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitalmainstreet.ca\/?p=72979"},"modified":"2020-06-22T12:56:07","modified_gmt":"2020-06-22T16:56:07","slug":"helping-and-celebrating-canadian-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalmainstreet.ca\/fr\/helping-and-celebrating-canadian-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping and celebrating Canadian small businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many small businesses across the country temporarily closed their storefronts this year during the country-wide lockdown.\u00a0According to the OECD<\/a>, these closures are likely to hit small and medium-sized businesses the hardest. For many, digital tools have become a lifeline during this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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To get the week started, we\u2019re highlighting free tools and resources to help small businesses get set up with online stores, connect with their customers virtually, and get support from Canadians looking to rally behind their favourite local businesses. We hope you find these new tools and resources helpful.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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Get set up online\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
A few weeks ago, we announced a\u00a0new pledge to get 50,000 Canadian small businesses online<\/a>. In partnership with Digital Main Street, the\u00a0ShopHERE powered by Google<\/a>\u00a0program helps Canadian small businesses and artists build a digital presence. Eligible businesses can\u00a0sign up<\/a>\u00a0for the program now to get a free online shop built for them.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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One of the first businesses to go through the program was Toronto-based tea shop,\u00a0Plentea<\/a>, which had to permanently close its doors due to COVID-19. Plentea quickly pivoted to an online-only shop and now has the potential to reach customers across the globe.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe signed up for the program and within a week we were up and running with the first iteration of our Shopify website. It's hard enough letting our guests know that they can no longer visit our store, but It felt very empowering telling them that we will be online, and they can continue to order our loose leaf teas through www.plentea.ca. We have already had an influx of orders and a lot of “thank you's” for us being online.\u201d – Tariq Al Barwani, Founder, Plentea\u00a0<\/div>\n
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Tariq Al Barwani, Founder, Plentea\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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For small businesses looking to grow their digital skills and get the most out of the web, we\u2019ve created a\u00a0Google for Small Business hub<\/a>\u00a0of free resources and training, a step-by-step\u00a0online starter kit<\/a>, and we\u2019re also offering free virtual workshops and\u00a01:1 coaching sessions<\/a>\u00a0through\u00a0Grow with Google OnAir<\/a>.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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Get support from Canadians looking to help\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Canadian search interest in “how to help small businesses<\/a>” skyrocketed in March 2020 as consumers are looking for ways to support their corner bookstores, local watering holes, beloved dance studios and other businesses that give their neighbourhoods character\u2014even if from a distance.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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Merchants can now add\u00a0support links<\/a>\u00a0for donations and gift cards to their Business Profiles, letting Canadians support some of their favourite businesses like Edmonton\u2019s\u00a0Continental Treat Fine Bistro<\/a>, Montreal\u2019s\u00a0Bis<\/a>, and Toronto\u2019s\u00a0Wong\u2019s Ice Cream<\/a>, right in Google Search and Maps.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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“A donation or a gift card towards a future dine in experience will go directly to paying our amazing staff and to keeping our doors open through these tough times.” – Sylvester Borowka, Continental Treat Fine Bistro\u00a0<\/div>\n
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People can now look up their favourite local businesses to see if they have donation or gift card links on their Business Profile\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
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Get connected to customers virtually\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Many small business owners who normally provide in-person services are now building virtual offerings. Yoga studios are offering online classes, salons are hosting virtual hair styling classes, and restaurant owners have quickly implemented delivery and curbside pick-up options. On\u00a0Google my Business<\/a>, we have introduced new features that make it easier for verified merchants to connect with their customers through their Business Profile in Search and Maps.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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For bookings:\u00a0<\/div>\n
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