Funding recipients MUST use local B.C. service providers to complete contract work to build or improve their online store. The only exception to this rule is when a service is provided entirely online, such as:
- Platform subscription
- Purchase of online photos and graphics
- Purchase of online promotional space such as Facebook ads
Expenses related to the development, management and improvement of an online shop supporting e-commerce (website only with an email and/or phone number is not an eligible expense), such as:
- Service provider costs:
- Development time for the platform (create new or substantially enhance)
- Pictures (including photographer), stock photos or related graphics required for site
- Copy and online content writing
- Online inventory of goods and products development
- Digital customer acquisition costs:
- Subscription costs of e-commerce platform (up to 1 year)
- Online advertising costs (up to 1 year)
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Banner and other embedded advertising creation (e.g., social media sites, gaming, etc.)
- Staff training to manage own online shop and/or gain digital marketing skills