NJEDA’s $4M Innovative E-Commerce Program has Helped over 150 Small Businesses Expand Online Presence
Small businesses encouraged to take advantage of the Small Business E-Commerce Support Program to develop website, marketing plan & implement online ordering
TRENTON, N.J. (November 21, 2023) – Earlier this year, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) launched a new $4 million pilot program that provides free e-commerce and digital marketing consulting services to New Jersey small businesses. Since the Small Business E-Commerce Support Program launched, the NJEDA has connected 152 small businesses to consulting firms, representing over $1.1 million in assistance. To date, 76 percent of the funding has supported minority-owned small businesses. The program aims to help small businesses adapt to the growing e-commerce economy, which has boomed since the pandemic.
“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has prioritized small businesses by investing in resources to help them succeed,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program has already begun to help businesses with their digital marketing needs and the NJEDA is prepared to help even more ‘mom and pop’ businesses statewide modernize their services, expand their clientele, and stay competitive in the evolving e-commerce economy. I urge small business owners up and down the Garden State to take advantage of this program so that they can expand their e-commerce services at no cost.”
The program offers up to $11,400 in consulting services to eligible restaurants, retailers, and personal care businesses to assist with web page design and development, online ordering implementation, online appointment booking implementation, e-commerce design and development, and online marketing plan development. Restaurants and personal care businesses can receive up to $11,400 in consulting services, while retail stores can receive up to $10,800.
Francis Henri, a baby boutique located in Westfield, was able to launch a brand-new website with the services provided by the Small Business E-Commerce Support Program. The baby boutique sells high quality clothing and accessories from international brands in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia. On the businesses new website, customers can browse, shop, place orders, and have it shipped nationwide.
“With the help of the NJEDA’s Small Business E-Commerce Support Program, we have a brand-new, highly professional, user-friendly website that will help us grow our business,” said Francis Henri owner Katherine Oyer. “Our consultants were so patient and diligent and asked the right questions to ensure our needs and priorities were met. I cannot think of anything they could have done differently to make us happier.”
The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program also helped Robin’s Nest Restaurant revamp their website. Although the Mount Holly-based restaurant, bakery, and catering service had a well-constructed website, the consulting firm helped the business add Google search words and social media to their website in order to increase traffic, and the owners learned how to use analytics to track success.
“We were fortunate enough to be included in the NJEDA’s highly beneficial Small Business E-Commerce Support Program,” said Audrey Winzinger, Marketing Manager of Robin’s Nest Restaurant. “We were paired with a consulting firm that was able to help us promote the three distinct aspects of our business – restaurant, catering, and bakery. The services provided were worth thousands and will serve us well for years to come. We are grateful to the NJEDA for the opportunity.”
Through a competitive selection process, the NJEDA has contracted with seven consulting firms to provide e-commerce and digital marketing services to small businesses until the funding is exhausted. Interested businesses should contact the consulting firm of their choice directly.
The firms include:
Beyond Media Global, Paramus
eGrove Systems Corporation, East Brunswick
Masterpiece Advertising, Atlantic City
New Frontier, Millburn
Positive Solutions, Robbinsville
Tara Dowdell Group, Jersey City
360 Marketing and PR, Camden
Small businesses interested in the program can click here to learn more.
This program is funded by the Main Street Recovery Finance Program, which was established under the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020 (ERA). The ERA created over 15 programs, including the $200 million Main Street Recovery Program. Since the Main Street Recovery Program launched in October 2021, the NJEDA made nearly 4,000 approvals for grants, loans, and technical assistance for small businesses totaling $132 million. 45 percent of Main Street funding has supported minority- and/or women-owned small businesses. The Small Business E-Commerce Support Program is the fifth pilot program the NJEDA approved under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program.
About the NJEDA
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) serves as the State’s principal agency for driving economic growth. The NJEDA is committed to making New Jersey a national model for inclusive and sustainable economic development by focusing on key strategies to help build strong and dynamic communities, create good jobs for New Jersey residents, and provide pathways to a stronger and fairer economy. Through partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, the NJEDA creates and implements initiatives to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life in the State and strengthen New Jersey’s long-term economic competitiveness.
To learn more about NJEDA resources for businesses, call NJEDA Customer Care at 844-965-1125 or visit https://www.njeda.gov and follow @NewJerseyEDA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.