The Grow Your Business Online Grant is a micro-grant of up to $2400 to help with the costs of adopting digital technologies. On March 3, 2022, the Canadian government announced the launch of the Canada Digital Adoption Program
The program aims to help Canadian small- and medium-sized businesses grow their online presence and upgrade or adopt digital technologies.
British Columbia is the first province to have the application open up, so if you are a BC business, make sure you apply for the grant as soon as possible. Here’s the link to apply: https://alacritycanada.tfaforms.net/f/cdap-small-business
We will also be sending a newsletter about when the different provinces open up, so please sign up for our newsletter if you’d like to be notified.
The grant can be used to:
- Build a new website with an online booking system
- Refresh your current website with an online booking system
- Costs related to search engine optimization
- Costs pertaining to online advertising, such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn ads
To qualify for the grant, you must be an incorporated business and have at least 1 employee paid through payroll. In addition, the employee must have been working at the business for at least 3 months and cannot be yourself.
One of the recent questions asked: “What about contractors?”
I checked with the grant administrator, and a contractor does not qualify.
The application takes about 15 minutes to complete. Before completing the form, make sure you have the supporting documents ready, which would include
- Articles of Incorporation or
- Federal business number
- Document showing proof of payroll deductions
There are 6 steps to the application:
Step 1: Business Owner Information
Step 2: Business Information
Please note that your NAICS code would (be 52), and this is where you upload the supporting documents I previously mentioned.
Step 3: Digital Assessment
This is where you complete what your current digital technologies. This is where you make a business case about why you’re applying for the micro-grant. They give you 255 characters to do this, so you’ll need to get to the point.
Here are a couple of examples:
New website or refresh your website: “We help Canadian business owners be more successful by providing strategic financial services. We will build a website that allows prospects to book meetings online. It will also have a blog that discusses issues for entrepreneurs, highlighting our services.”
Search Engine Optimization: “We would use the funds to gain better visibility online with professional SEO services. We will specifically focus on local SEO so prospects can find us. The funds will go towards building a strong foundation that is much needed to grow our business.”
Digital Marketing: “We help Canadian retirees gain financial clarity and make smart decisions about retirement. Currently, our clients tell us they find us through word of mouth. Our goal is to create a digital marketing campaign that will attract new prospects.”
Online Ads: “We would use advertising campaigns to help us achieve our goals of acquiring and retaining clients. Our marketing goal is to create awareness of our business of financial services and convert prospects into clients.”
Step 4: Program Proposal
Step 5: Equity Diversity and Inclusion
Step 6: Attestation, Certification, Declarations, Consent, Support Preference
Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.
If you need help with the grant, please don’t hesitate to contact us or book a meeting.