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Resources for Small Businesses During COVID-19

Keith Russell Digital Main Street, Digital Marketing, Resources
Resources for small businesses during COVID-19
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[Updated: April 14, 2020.]

This list will be continually updated and adjusted, please be sure to check back regularly. Our goal is to provide a list of resources, products, blogs and more that you can rely on during these times to help your business.

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Small Business Support Resources

The business community globally, in Canada, and Ontario is being impacted by COVID-19. In response, both the Canadian and the Ontario Governments have announced support for the business community during this pandemic.

For more information please visit the following: 

Upcoming Webinars

Digital Main Street

  • Small Business Starter Kit – The DMS team wanted to put together a package of short snippet resource guides to provide you with topics and ideas you should consider
  • Product Photography Guide – Our own team member Lana Pribic curated a small business product photography guide that is full of practical information

Microsoft

Shopify

Google

  • If your organization uses Google G Suite, you now have free access to advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities through July 1, 2020
  • Think With Google Canada – Insights. Ideas. Inspiration. Take your marketing further with Google. Think with Google.
  • Grow With Google – Free training, tools, and events to help you grow your skills, career, or business.
  • Google Primer – Bite-sized lessons to better your business. Google Primer is a free mobile app that offers quick, easy-to-understand lessons to help business owners and individuals grow skills and reach their goals. 
  • Google My Business – Businesses affected by COVID-19: Guidance on updating info and temporary closures
  • Google Ads is giving $340 million in ad credits to small and medium-sized businesses who have been active advertisers since at least the beginning of 2019. There are also further details about their other initiatives to support SMBs. (Newly Added)
  • Google Skillshop – Develop skills you can apply right away, with free e-learning courses designed by Google product experts. Learn at your own pace and get Google product certified. (Newly Added)

Mastercard

Through their Master Your Card initiative, Mastercard Canada has provided a series of
infographics that help you protect and grow your business. 

Facebook

Hamilton Business Centre

Other Blogs and Resources

  • HubSpot Academy – Take your professional skills to the next level with free, online training from HubSpot Academy. From quick, practical courses to comprehensive certifications, learn everything you need to know about the most sought-after business skills
  • Hootsuite, the software that many of us use to manage our social media accounts, is giving free access to Hootsuite Professional plan tools to small businesses and non-profits until July 1st, 2020
  • Hootsuite Academy – Whether you’re looking to build your skills or take the next leap in your career, our courses and certifications will help you succeed with social media
  • LinkedIn Learning has unlocked 16 learning courses for free, which are geared toward working from home
  • SEMRUSH Academy – Free Online Digital Marketing Courses and Exams (SEO, Keyword Research, Mobile SEO, Backlink Management, and more) (Newly Added)
  • Volunteer Tech, Digital Marketing & Website Help for Small Businesses – A list of designers, marketers, and agencies offering pro-bono work (Newly Added)
  • Mailchimp is giving $10 million in Mailchimp service to small business customers who want to continue using Mailchimp’s platform but need some financial support during the COVID-19 crisis (Newly Added)
  • HelpForMyRestaurant.com has a comprehensive ‘digital survival kit‘ for restaurants and bars (Newly Added)
  • Offline2on is a global initiative empowering retailers, wholesalers and merchants during COVID-19 through small business e-commerce resources and support (Newly Added)
  • Siteground is offering web hosting for $0.99 for three months (Newly Added)
  • Storyvine is offering free video templates to help with getting your message out (Newly Added)
  • Futurpeneur Canada – A comprehensive list of government resources related to the effects of COVID-19 on small businesses (Newly Added)
  • Hometownhub.ca – Hometown hub offers the community a direct link to local businesses offering online services through delivery, e-commerce and gift cards, bringing the power of shopping online to everyone! Get your business listed today! (Newly Added)
  • Hamilton Chamber of Commerce – COVID-19 Business Continuity & Recovery Information (Newly Added)
  • Moz Academy – Now through May 31, Moz is offering free SEO training. Now is the perfect time to learn how to increase your sites organic rankings. A $149 USD value (Newly Added)
  • Udemy – Hundreds of free online courses are now available from Udemy. Learn HTML and CSS fundamentals, Basics of Photography, How to Use Smart Goals, and much more! (Newly Added)
  • Ahref Academy – Ahref’s is offering an extensive (approx. 5 hrs) video course on “Blogging for Business” free, a great course for anyone running a website and want learn strategies on how to drive traffic (Newly Added)