Funding recipients MUST use local B.C. service providers to complete contract work to build or improve their online store or online booking system. 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 or online booking system and must support 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

Funding cannot be used for ongoing e-commerce activities that the business has already started before the project start date or for general website or IT upgrades.
Funds also cannot be used for:

• Starting an e-commerce business which intends to sell products on behalf of other companies
• Adding non e-commerce web pages to existing websites
• Hosting an existing site
• Credit card processing fees
• Packaging materials for product shipping and related shipping costs
• Staff salary costs

Yes, non-profit organizations are eligible if they meet the existing eligibility criteria.

You should obtain the company name, B.C. address, Business number and GST number before contracting them to your project to ensure the expenses are eligible. The information is provided to Alacrity Canada in the Expense Summary Report, and must be available in invoices for auditing purposes.

Yes, if your current online store has no more than 3 of the 5 identified online store features optimized, i.e. requires substantial enhancements, see below:

• Customer registration and information security features
• Shopping cart and order management capabilities
• Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes and shipping costs at time of ordering
• Product catalogue, search and inventory status
• Website analytics and reporting capabilities.

Or, if your online booking system has no more than 3 of the 5 identified online booking system features optimized, i.e. needs substantial enhancements, see below:

• Customer registration and information security features
• Schedule navigation and reservation management capabilities
• Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes
• Automated replies and reminders
• Website analytics and reporting capabilities

The grant program is intended to get businesses online to fully participate in the digital market-place. The grant program is not intended for businesses that already have more advanced e-commerce capabilities in place.

Yes. However, you will be required to declare that the programs are not used to pay the same expense twice, i.e. the funding provided through the Online Shops Program will be used toward expenses not covered by the other programs your business has participated in.

Only costs incurred to build or enhance your online shop during the program timelines will be eligible, i.e. the grant funding will cover eligible expenses to build or enhance your online shop or online booking system within 12-weeks from when you received confirmation of eligibility via the grant letter.

Only those registered to do business in B.C. will be eligible as a service provider.

Employee salaries are not eligible expenses. The employee can build the online shop, and the grant funds can be used toward other eligible expenses.

No. The program is for businesses with a local B.C. address only.

The grant covers 75% of project expenses, up to a maximum of $7,500. For example, if your project costs are only $1,000, your company must cover 25% of the project cost ($250) of the $1,000.

No. All contractors must be locally based in B.C. and be registered to do business in B.C. in order to be considered an eligible expense.

No. All submitted expenses will require proof of service completed and proof of payment.

Yes. Training costs for digital marketing are considered an eligible expense.

No. All applicants are required to be a B.C.-based and be registered to do business in B.C. to be considered for funding.

It depends. If your online shop has no more than 3 of the 5 identified online shop features below, you would be eligible for expenses toward a professional photographer:

• Customer registration and information security features
• Shopping cart and order management capabilities
• Payment processing options including application of appropriate taxes and shipping costs at time of ordering
• Product catalogue, search and inventory status
• Website analytics and reporting capabilities

The grant funding will cover eligible expenses to build or enhance your online shop within 12-weeks from when you received confirmation of eligibility via the grant letter.

Audits will be randomly conducted. If you do lose original receipts, other evidence of the expense, such as bank statements, may be considered.

Yes. The grant funds are taxable and should be reported on your corporate tax return.

Please feel free to reach out to the below B.C. business accelerators that make up the B.C. Acceleration Network (BCAN), an alliance of regional partners and executive-level mentors in your area for further assistance to build your online store or booking system.

Viatec - South Island
Web: www.viatec.ca
Email: rbennett@viatec.ca

HubSpace – Northern B.C.
Web: www.hubspace.ca
Email: executivedirector@hubspace.ca

Kamloops Innovation – Interior
Web: www.kamloopsinnovation.ca
Email: info@kamloopsinnovation.ca

Accelerate Okanagan – Okanagan
Web: www.accelerateokanagan.com
Email: contact@accelerateokanagan.com

Innovation Island – North Island
Web: www.innovationisland.ca
Email: info@innovationisland.ca

KAST – Kootneys
Web: www.kast.com
Email: info@kast.com

BDC has a digital readiness roadmap program that provides SMEs with advice when creating their roadmap to digitization. For information: Digital readiness roadmap for SMEs | BDC.ca

In the lower mainland, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is a great resource through their Business Resiliency Series: E-Commerce Essentials for businesses looking for advice. For information:https://www.boardoftrade.com/events/individual-events/1789-6567

Other B.C. wide resources include: The BC Tech Association:https://wearebctech.com/

Small Business B.C.https://smallbusinessbc.ca/

Local chambers of commerce and regional economic development offices are also great starting points when looking for guidance on starting your online shop or booking system.

No. Only applications submitted by business owners/management can be considered. Applications submitted by "authorized representatives" on the business’s behalf cannot be considered.

Franchises should look to their head office to apply. If eligible, one grant per franchise can be received. If another franchisee within the company has already received a grant, subsequent applications would not be eligible.