Program aims to help small businesses’ websites

Online sales have been a safety net for small businesses forced to temporarily close storefronts in response to COVID-19. But what about those that aren’t equipped to sell things on the internet?

Representatives from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s office, Neighborhood Allies and the Urban Redevelopment Authority have launched the Get Online and Grow Online small business program. It aims to build ecommerce platforms for local businesses or give existing websites an upgrade.

Applications for the first cohort are due 5 p.m. Tuesday. Complete the form at bit.ly/2x4UdUn to apply.

Applicants must have fewer than 15 employees and be an existing retailer or food/beverage business within the city of Pittsburgh.

Businesses in Wilkinsburg, Sharpsburg, Millvale, Etna, Mount Oliver and McKees Rocks also are eligible.

The program grew out of other initiatives Mr. Peduto’s office and local organizations already had in the works to promote small businesses, including a poster campaign encouraging people to shop online that will appear soon at the city’s bus shelters.

“A lot of businesses, especially the smallest ones, don’t have a web presence,” said Henry Horn Pyatt, economic opportunity manager for the mayor’s office. “Or maybe they do, but it’s just a Facebook page. They’re not modern with ordering and inventory. When you can’t be physically open, that’s all the more important.”

Participants will be matched with a business consultant. They’ll receive up to five hours of free technical assistance for tasks such as improving search engine optimization, developing a website or outfitting an existing site with an ordering system.

“We used little bits of resources from all of our different agencies to make it work,” said Mr. Horn Pyatt.

He anticipates that another round will be introduced in the coming weeks. To learn more, email Demi Kolke at demi@neighborhoodallies.org.