Brands big and small and people world-wide are coming together to ask themselves, “how can I help during these challenging times?” It’s amazing to see leaders pivot and shift quickly and step up to help those in need in response to COVID-19 and the economic repercussions we’re encountering. Here are six resources available for e-commerce brands right now:
1. Enroll In Facebook’s Small Business Grant Program
Facebook will be offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to up to 30,000 eligible small businesses. The details are light as far as who will be eligible for the grant, but I encourage all e-commerce brands to sign up for updates when applications become available.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants
2. List Your Site on Privy’s Small Business MarketPlace
Privy has put out a call to shop small, and has launched an online marketplace for small business owners. All you need to do is submit your store to the marketplace and Privy will promote the maket place to $100M in cash grants and ad credits to up to 30,000 eligible small businesses.
Details: https://shopsmallecomm.privy.com/
3. Take A Free Pluralsight Online Learning Class
For entrepreneurs and small business owners who haven’t purchased Pluralsight online learning subscription, Pluralsight is offering free access to our platform for the entire month of April. Pluralsight specializes in e-learning for emerging technology such as software development, IT operations and cyber security, but also has courses that could be helpful for e-commerce brands such as:
A few courses I saw that might be helpful:
- Social Media: The Big Picture
- Building a High Traffic Profitable Blog
- Social Media Marketing For Your Start Up
& more
Details: https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/news/stay-home-skill-up-for-free
4. Enroll in Wooly’s Advocacy Platform – Free For Shopify Stores
Wooly’s advocacy platform allows e-commerce brands to team up with their most trusted customers to build awareness and drive sales. Though the platform you can run advocacy campaigns to nudge your audience to share their brand affinity, create compelling content, write product reviews, and more.
Note: Wooly has waived the start-up and monthly fees, but still charges on a results-based model.
Details: https://www.wooly.com/freeforshopify
5. Enroll in Facebook’s Free Small Business Hub
The team over at Facebook has put together a resource hub to help businesses manage through and build resilience during the COVID-19 outbreak, including topics like how to prepare a customer service plan and workplace tools for remote workers.
Details: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/resource#
6. Google Provides $340M in Ad Credits For Businesses
Google wants to help alleviate some of the cost for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to stay in touch with their customers during this challenging time. The best (and maybe worst?) part of the program is that you don’t need to apply for the credits, as Google will contact eligible businesses in the upcoming weeks.
Details: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9803410?hl=en
I will be adding to this list, as I see more helpful resources come in.
Other Free Resources:
- Needle has launched a free version of their chat solution for e-commerce brands.
- Nikon is providing free online photography lessons for the month of April.
What other resources have you seen that can help e-commerce brands right now? Leave a comment below and I will update the list.
Compassion is your biggest attribute right now. Sending *Virtual Hugs*