NJ Offers Free Support for Retailers Shifting to Online Sales

N.J. Business Action Center and N.J.’s Small Business Development Centers offer guidance, tools to help small businesses set up successful e-commerce platforms, market online

On Dec 3, 2020

The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), in partnership with New Jersey’s Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC), will offer free tools and resources to help retail businesses capitalize on the approaching holiday season amid COVID-19. The services are designed to help small businesses that typically rely on in-person transactions shift to e-commerce.

“From helping to set up an e-commerce website to talking through pricing strategies, we’ve helped numerous small businesses in the state set up successful e-commerce platforms,” said Kelly Brozyna, CEO and state director of the NJSBDC. “We work closely with our clients to understand what they need to build and sustain online sales, learning about their specific technology, logistics and supply chain capabilities.”

Resources include personalized consulting, website setup, social media promotion, Google My Business support and SEO strategies. Businesses can also receive counsel on managing inventories, product descriptions and pricing strategies to maximize online sales and profits.

“Many small businesses feel overwhelmed by technology, but we are available to help them overcome that hurdle,” continued Brozyna. “We’ve helped dozens of businesses in the state launch e-commerce platforms in the past year. We welcome the opportunity to offer our services to businesses that need to incorporate digital solutions into their framework.”

Business owners can also join virtual e-commerce workshops, which range from understanding marketplace platforms, online payment setup, business development logistics and launching e-commerce businesses.

• “Social Media Marketing for the Holiday Season” will educate business owners on three key strategies to starting and growing an online business during the holiday season, including social media, business development and generating online traffic. The program is available on demand.
• “The Basics of Online Marketing” on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. ET will provide insight on the core elements of improving small and medium businesses’ understanding of online marketing strategies amid COVID-19.

“The fact that you can get this valuable advice at little or no cost is so important for a small business,” said Denise Sikora, president at DL Health Claim Solutions, LLC. “I have very little money to spend on marketing costs and the advice I receive from the SBDC has made all the difference to the success of my business.”

“The NJBAC is committed to helping New Jersey small businesses, especially during this holiday season,” said Melanie Willoughby, executive director of the NJBAC, a funding partner of the SBDC. “These resources are crafted by business experts, incorporating many of the frequently asked questions on launching an e-commerce platform to help sell products online.”

To help businesses in real-time, the New Jersey Business Action Center expanded its “Helpline” (1-800-JERSEY-7) amid COVID-19 to assist business owners by phone and launched an online “live chat.” On social media, the NJBAC answers questions during live “Twitter Chats,” interacts with businesses through Instagram and distributes timely information through the NJBAC’s LinkedIn page.

Businesses in need of assistance can learn more about upcoming trainings and other resources here: clients.njsbdc.com/events.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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