Small business advice - Hamilton, ON

In the year 2005, Canadian online sales had a record fourth straight year of double-digit growth according to Statistics Canada.

Online sales recorded a huge growth rate in 2005 but e-commerce was just over one per cent of total operating revenues for private firms.

Statistics Canada reports that combined online sales in the private and public sectors increased 38.4 per cent to $39.2 billion. Online sales by private firms increased 37.2 per cent to $36.3 billion, while those by the public sector increased 55.4 per cent to $2.9 billion.

There is a long way to go yet for web - based selling, but it is growing at a faster rate then retail sales.

This was the fourth straight year that the overall value of e-commerce sales in Canada increased by 38 per cent or more - six times the rise in overall retail sales in Canada in 2005.

The strong growth rate for online sales is contrasted to the slow adoption of basic information and communication technologies: In 2005, 82 per cent of all private firms used the Internet, unchanged from the previous year, and about 38 per cent had websites, up from 37 per cent.

Stats Canada says this seems to indicate that these basic technologies have reached at least a temporary saturation point in the Canadian market, much like the use of personal computers did a couple of years earlier.

We will probably see continued strong growth in online sales, as it will continue to outpace retail sales (brick and mortar companies)

Based on article I first read at Canada.com

When I started my new business, “Office Activate” several years ago, I researched heavily on how to build a better business plan and how to get free advice. The best places for in-house face-to-face advice that I could find were right here in our own community.

You are able to view resources and in most cases receive a free professional review of your business plan at these locations. You should first contact them and arrange a time to drop off your business plan and then they will review it with you in person the following week or so. Do not leave your original business plan as they will mark it up.

These resource centres can also help direct you to networking opportunities in the area. Computers are on-site to assist you with researching and starting your own business.

Top 3 free business advice agencies in Hamilton and Brantford, ON.

Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre

Address:
2 King Street West,
Jackson Square
Hamilton, ON L8P 1A1
Phone: (905) 540-6400
Fax: (905) 540-6411
Hours: 9:00am - 4:30 pm

They were willing to take a look at your website and give 3rd party feedback. They gave a map and directions on how to register a business, and how to register for G.S.T.

Ontario Business Connects services available at this location

• Immediate Business Name Registration
• Business Name Renewal electronic application (MBL in the mail within 2 weeks)
• Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit electronic application (RST)
• Employer Health Tax electronic application (EHT)
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board electronic application (WSIB)

Clients can also do an immediate Business Name search at the workstation.

Brantford Brant Business Resource Centre

Address:
1 Market Square
Suite 201
Brantford, ON N3T 6C8
Phone: (519) 756-4269
Fax: (519) 756-6449

Accessibility: Accessible to persons with disabilities.

Workstation hours: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Ontario Business Connects services available at this location:

• Immediate Business Name Registration
• Business Name Renewal electronic application (MBL in the mail within 2 weeks)
• Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit electronic application (RST)
• Employer Health Tax electronic application (EHT)
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board electronic application (WSIB)

Clients can also do an immediate Business Name search at the workstation.

Enterprise Brant

Address:
330 West Street, Unit 10
Brantford, ON N3R 7V5
Phone: (519) 752-4636
Fax: (519) 759-0098

Workstation hours: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Call to confirm operating hours during the holiday season.

Website: www.enterprisebrant.com

Ontario Business Connects services available at this location:

• Immediate Business Name Registration
• Business Name Renewal electronic application (MBL in the mail within 2 weeks)
• Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit electronic application (RST)
• Employer Health Tax electronic application (EHT)
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board electronic application (WSIB)

Clients can also do an immediate Business Name search at the workstation.

Enterprise Brant provides financial and consulting services to local businesses with a goal of creating and maintaining jobs in Brantford Ontarioand the County of Brant.

Enterprise Brant’s services include:

• Loans for Business
• Business Plans
• Community Development and Strategic Planning
• Business Consulting
• Entrepreneurial Workshops
• Self Employment Benefits Program

Enterprise Brant administers a loan portfolio to assist new or existing small business with start-up, expansion or stabilization plans. Repayable, flexible financing of up to $125,000 is available. To apply you will need a business plan.

Enterprise Brant has loaned over $10.8 million in Brant to over 475 local businesses.