Are you a small business owner wanting to expand your reach?
Check out the new pilot program Go Global.
Washington State Department of Commerce has the fuel you need to boost your business to reach new customers and increase sales! Go Global, Commerce’s new pilot program, is providing eligible small businesses up to $4,000 for consulting fees and design services to launch a new website, refresh and existing one or add online ordering.
Nearly half of small businesses don’t have a website and 75% don’t offer online ordering. Given that 80% of consumers do their research online before they make a purchase, that’s a lot of lost opportunities to reach new customers and increase sales.
The program opened September 13, here is how it works:
- Qualifying small businesses in Washington will be able to apply using this Smartsheet application form.
- A team at Commerce will review the application and give it a thumbs up or down.
- If you are awarded the grant, you will be referred to a list of qualified, vetted design firms that can help you build the site of your dreams. You will select the one you want to work with. Its highly recommended to get more than one bid and ask for a fixed-cost so you can plan you budget accordingly.
- When the work is done, the design firm will let Commerce know the project is completed to your your specifications and satisfaction.
- The state will then reimburse the design firm up to $4,000 of the project cost. If the project was more costly than that, you will be responsible for the balance with the design firm directly.
That’s all there is to it. After your project is done, you can continue to work with your web firm going forward on more bells and whistles or take things from there and do everything on your own. Every business is different, so the state is wanting to give you every helping hand to get your business online.
Click here for full details. Information flyers, sample applications and FAQ’s are also available. Apply now through May 1, 2023.