The City of Melbourne recently announced a $5 million financial aid package, squarely aimed at helping small-to-medium-sized businesses to invest in eCommerce, online marketing and many other kinds of digital development.

• The City of Melbourne is pledging $5 million to help local small-to-medium businesses get online in the wake of the COVID-19 disruptions.
• The money can be used to invest in: eCommerce, professional development, capital works, online marketing and general adaptations that let businesses get their products and services on the internet.
• The package can also be used to upgrade IT services or purchase new equipment.

To qualify for financial aid, your business must:

• Have an ABN.
• Be a small-to-medium sized business. This generally means you have fewer than 50 employees.
• Be located in the City of Melbourne: Docklands, East Melbourne, Fishermans Bend, Jolimont, Kensington, North Melbourne, Melbourne’s CBD, Parkville, South Wharf, West Melbourne, along with parts of Carlton, Carlton North, Flemington, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and Southbank.
• Make an application demonstrating how you’ve been impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19, and how this financial aid will help your business.

SBM has been making a massive effort to help businesses get online, allowing them to survive and thrive even with massively reduced foot traffic.

• We can help you make your application and explain why your business could use financial aid.
• Our QuickSmart rapid eCommerce solution was specifically designed to help small-to-medium businesses start selling online in just five days  – exactly the initiative covered by the grant funds.
• Our experts can help you maximise your marketing spend, reaching a huge new audience and letting them know you’re open for business online.

We’d love to help you stay informed on how this grant could help your business – and then help you stay profitable afterwards.