Martensville Messenger August 25, 2016

Page 16 - AUGUST 25, 2016 - mArTenSville meSSenGer Complete Automotive and Tire Service Centre Open 8-5:30 Monday - Friday 109 Centennial Dr. North, Martensville Accredited 306.975.2140 The ‘Shop local’ movement is Coming to martensville Lacie Munholland, Martensville Messenger The ‘shop local’movement has been increasingly popular over the past few years – the idea that communities want to support local businesses rather than multinational corporations. ShopCity. com was created by two brothers in Ontario who wanted to help their parent’s business stay aﬂoat, as a multinational corporation was moving into town. The idea behind ShopCity.com is to create a small business directory, allowing community members to easily locate and support small businesses in their very own community. ShopSaskatoon.ca is under the umbrella of ShopCity.com, and allows for small and home-based businesses in Saskatoon to be included in a larger directory. ShopMartensville.ca is under the umbrella of ShopSaskatoon.ca. The directory is free to join, but there are certain unique features that you can add for a price. The base version is free, but one can upgrade depending on the services they are looking for. The free version allows individuals to post their name, photos, hours, and be listed in two categories in the larger directory. Paying $30 a month comes with more features: help with proﬁle creation and upkeep, link to your website and social media, being listed in three categories, and the ability to sell coupons for up to ﬁve items. If your business chooses a ‘managed package’ certain features are available: content management, account management, graphic design, and search engine optimization. With the addition of a package, businesses can link a PayPal account, ultimately using the site as a storefront, something that is great for home-based businesses. Anne-Marie Cey is the Community Advocate contact for ShopMartensville.ca. “This service is great for anyone who owns a home-based business. It’s a really great way to gain a presence on the Internet. One great thing about using this directory is that it’s seamless to integrate your social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – you make one post and it is connected to everything,” stated Cey. The ShopMartensville.ca website is still in the early stages, as there is plenty of information and more businesses to be added. Cey is currently reaching out to Martensville businesses in hopes to build the database so that community members can use the directory to ﬁnd the service they require. One incentive to seriously consider signing up for ShopMartensville.ca is that if you claim your page in the Martensville directory, it automatically goes into the Saskatoon directory at no extra cost. However, Saskatoon businesses do not automatically get added to Martensville. “We’re ramping up quickly. The sooner businesses go on and claim their proﬁle, the better it is for them. If they choose a package, they will be listed in the top of their category. For example, a plumbing company – the higher the package they choose, the higher ranking. First come, ﬁrst serve. If you have the time, go take a look. If nothing else, claim your free listing. I want everyone in Martensville to know that if they’re looking for something © 2016 Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. All rights reserved. Samsung, Samsung Galaxy S7 edge are registered trademarks or trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., used with permission. ABOVE: Anne-Marie Cey, Community Advocate Contact for ShopMartensville.ca local, this should be the ﬁrst place they should look,” commented Cey. If you are a local business interested in adding your information to the directory, you can contact Anne-Marie Cey at 306221-3208 or annemarie@ shopsaskatoon.ca. There is no commitment or charge to claim your page.

Martensville Messenger August 25, 2016 | Page 16