For small businesses and independent artists in Ontario, getting online can feel overwhelming—especially when time, budget, and technical skills are limited. The Digital Main Street – ShopHERE program was created to remove those barriers and help local businesses start selling online quickly, often in just a matter of days. Backed by public funding and major private-sector partners, the program focuses on practical, hands-on support rather than cash alone, making it especially valuable for businesses that need guidance as much as resources.
Through ShopHERE, participating businesses receive one-on-one assistance from an e‑commerce coordinator who helps build and customize an online store that reflects their brand, products, and services. The program also includes training in areas like digital marketing, shipping, and inventory management, along with access to free tools and benefits from partners such as Shopify, Google, and others. While the support itself is non-repayable and offered at no cost, businesses should expect to take on standard platform fees after an initial trial period once their store is live.
ShopHERE is well suited for small, independent Ontario businesses and artists looking to reach customers beyond their local area and establish a professional online presence without navigating the process alone. For business owners curious about how this support works in practice and whether it fits their goals, digging into the full program details is a smart next step.
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