Boost Your Digital Presence with the Digital Service Squad
Running a small business is demanding, leaving little time for creating an effective online presence. If you’re struggling to build a website or devise a social media strategy, the City of Calgary has announced a new program called the “Digital Service Squad” (DSS). This service offers free support to small businesses in Calgary, helping them navigate the digital landscape and enhance their online visibility.
Digital Service Squad Program (calgary.ca)
Is your business eligible for help from the DSS?
To qualify for DSS assistance, your business must:
- Be located in Calgary.
- Be registered in Alberta.
- Have 0 to 49 employees (including self-employed business owners with no employees).
- Operate as a home-based or commercial business.
Note: Non-profits, charitable trusts, and franchises are not eligible for this program.
What kind of services is the DSS offering?
Here’s how the DSS can help your business:
- Social Media: Develop a strategy to protect your brand online, drive engagement, and increase brand awareness.
- Google Business Profile Training: Get your business listed on Google Maps and set up your Google Business Profile.
- Email Marketing: Learn to generate leads and re-engage with customers by developing a customer database and designing email templates.
- Website Optimization and SEO: Build or improve your website and learn techniques to achieve a higher ranking on search engine results pages.
How do you sign up for help from the DSS?
Signing up for the DSS appears to be simple:
- Create an Account: Visit Digital Main Street and create an account (takes about 1 minute).
- Enter Business Information: Provide brief details about your business (approximately 3 minutes).
- Complete Digital Assessment: Fill out a digital assessment when creating your account or complete it later with assistance.
- Get Contacted: After signing up, a DSS Squad member will reach out within a few weeks to discuss your eligibility and next steps.