Sipping on Success: Black Bank Hill's ShopHERE Journey

Taylor Emerson is the owner of Black Bank Hill, a vineyard and craft winery located in the Lincoln Lakeshore sub-appellation of the Niagara Escarpment wine region. The winery is focused on producing unique and evocative wines that showcase the quality and purity of the fruit grown in their cool climate. 

As a small business owner, Emerson faced the challenge of adapting to the digital space and reaching new customers online. That's when they discovered Digital Main Street's ShopHERE powered by Google program, which provides free e-Commerce support for small businesses looking to get online. Thanks to ShopHERE, wine lovers across the province can now enjoy the delicious and unique wines produced by Black Bank Hill.

“Our story is that of following one's passion into the world of wine, come hell or high-water, and we have already had both!”

When Emerson discovered the ShopHERE program, they were excited to start selling their wines online. The process began with a consultation with an e-Commerce Coordinator who helped them identify the needs of their business, and reviewed platform options to help them pick the best solution. Their Coordinator also provided valuable tips on product photography and digital marketing.

“I needed to update my website look and feel and functionality and as a small business with limited resources ShopHere helped me greatly in accomplishing that. It was something I needed!”  

Taylor found the support from their e-Commerce Coordinator to be extremely helpful in navigating digital space. They learned about the importance of building a strong brand identity and creating compelling product descriptions that resonate with customers. 

The ShopHERE program enabled Black Bank Hill to overcome the challenge of reaching new customers online and expanded their customer base. The program's support was instrumental in allowing the winery to start selling their unique wines online and to promote their brand to a wider audience.

“The technology and capabilities of the platform is well beyond where it was even a few years ago, so in short, the building met all my requirements. And it was faster to build and easier to learn and transition to that [then] I had expected.” 

Taylor and the team at Black Bank Hill also learned valuable lessons about eCommerce and digital marketing through the program. They realized the importance of having a strong digital presence and connecting with customers online, and they now have the tools and knowledge to continue growing their business.

“The eCommerce coordinator was truly an exceptional business partner. Not only was he well skilled in what he needed to deliver to the project, but he was also incredibly patient in both answering my many questions and bringing me up to speed on the platform generally. As a new business owner, I had a lot of questions! If [my] Coordinator didn't know the answer, he went and found it and got back to me, usually the very next day!” 

With their new online store, Black Bank Hill is now able to sell their unique wines to customers across the province, and thus has seen an increase in sales and customer engagement. The ShopHERE powered by Google program's mission, vision, and goals are focused on making small businesses more successful in the digital age by providing free eCommerce support to businesses across Ontario.  Black Bank Hill is a great example of how the program's support can help businesses overcome the challenges of the digital landscape and thrive in the online marketplace. 

For business owners who are thinking about joining the program, Taylor from Black Bank Hill advises that they take advantage of the program's support and resources. The e-Commerce Coordinators are there to help and can provide valuable insights and guidance on setting up an online store and promoting your brand online.

If you’re interested in trying something from Black Bank Hill’s selection, visit their website here.  

To learn more about the ShopHERE powered by Google program and how it can help your business, please visit this page.