Learn About Digital Main Street
Digital Main Street: is a Toronto-based non-profit that assists small businesses with their adoption of technology with easy-to-use tools and resources. Kingston EcDev has been a proud partner of Digital Main Street since 2019. More than 400 Kingston businesses have received support through Digital Main Street programs, including the $2500 Digital Transformation Grant, ShopHERE, 360° photos, and free digital marketing support from our local Digital Street Squad.
Digital Transformation Grant: A $2,500 grant for businesses to invest in digital marketing and digital business tools such as a new or updated website, social media marketing, search engine marketing, point of sale system, e-commerce, video marketing, etc. To qualify, the business must be in a commercial location, not a non-profit, not part of a franchise or chain, and have fewer than 50 employees.
ShopHERE: Receive a free e-commerce store! Available to independent businesses anywhere in Ontario, including home-based businesses, artists, and non-profits. You get a custom-built website through Shopify, Lightspeed, or Square, a free .CA domain, training on how to manage and market your store, plus ad incentives from Facebook, Google, and more.
Digital Street Squad: Our team of digital marketing experts is available to help you figure out the best Digital Main Street program for your business. The Digital Street Squad has expertise with e-commerce, social media, web design, SEO, content creation, graphic design, and so much more! Whether you need help with launching a new website, an email marketing campaign, a loyalty program, promoting your business on Google, or any other technology or online marketing challenges, the Street Squad is here to help you through it!
Promote Your Business Online
There are a number of amazing community resources available to let the public know about your business. We recommend reaching out to each of these organizations to get your business listed for free!
Free Digital Marketing Tools
Figuring out how and where to get started can be tough, but there are plenty of amazing, and free, resources and tools to help you navigate the massive world of digital marketing. Digital Main Street published a Digital Starter Kit for Small Businesses, and Kingston EcDev has compiled a list of 40+ Free Digital Business Tools. Combine that with the Free SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Guidebook from Spark and you'll be off to a great start!
Tazwiz supports entrepreneurs and small businesses by connecting them to local students and professionals to complete tasked-based work. They offer $500 in Tazwiz credits for up to 125 Kingston companies.
The Recovery Activation Program (RAP) is an immersive, highly practical online program designed to enable your business’ digital transformation and catalyze scalable opportunities for growth through a series of seminars, workshops, and one-on-one mentorship with industry experts at no cost.
Start Selling Online
Whether you want to offer curbside pickup, book appointments online, or deliver worldwide, we're here to help you get started, and to stay visible.
ShopHERE - start selling online through Digital Main Street's ShopHERE program. You'll receive a fully functional, custom-designed e-commerce website and store, and receive training on managing and marketing your new e-commerce platform. Retail, services, artists, home-based businesses, non-profits, and more are eligible.
Kingston Digital Marketers Directory
If you've done as much as you can on your own and want to hire someone to take you to the next level, we've compiled a list of Kingston area digital marketing freelancers and agencies that can work with you on web design, graphic design, photo, video, social media, e-commerce, and so much more!
Book a Free Consultation
Few digital marketing resources can be one size fits all. For recommendations that are tailored to you and your business, we'd be happy to have a chat with you. Whether you want to hire a local freelancer or agency, or if you prefer to learn how to do the work yourself, we'll point you in the right direction! Please contact our Digital Business Advisor, Chris Morris, for a free consultation to help you with any digital marketing challenges you may be facing: web design, social media, e-commerce, email marketing, content creation, and much more.
Interested in Digital Support?
Complete the form below and someone from our team will contact you within one business day.
Workshops + EventsView All
As a follow-up to the successful Pitch Preparation workshops, we are pleased to present Pitch Practice.
The From Lab to Fulfillment workshop is a purpose-driven workshop teaches women researchers, engineers, scientists and innovators how to transform research and discoveries into
Starting a small business? Learn how Kingston Economic Development can help!
In this workshop you will start to craft your enterprise vision.
How to prepare your e-commerce store for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas and more.