At Main Street Launch our partnerships are a critically important way we support small businesses to get the resources they need to start and grow. We’re thrilled to share our growing relationship with Hack the Hood, a tech nonprofit that trains youth to build websites. The youth participants are paired with small business owners who need a website. Hack the Hood offers this free services to small business owners, enabling them to have a beautiful online presence at a very low cost.
All the information small business owners need to know to get started can be found on this one page: http://www.hackthehood.org/small-business.html.
If you are a small business owner who is interested in supporting youth and are ready to do all the preparation work to get a free website developed, these are your steps to start working with Hack the Hood:
- Complete the interest form.
- Read the Small Business Handbook (really read it).
- Complete the quiz to show you really read the Handbook.
- Gather photos and text for your website.
- Complete the Application (this will be emailed to you once you complete steps 1-3).
From there, Hack the Hood’s team will reach out to help them determine the best fit for the program, and you will receive notice that you are accepted or waitlisted.
For small business owners, the most challenging part of this process tends to be gathering high-quality photos and written content about the business. This is where Main Street Launch comes in. Our team will work with you to take product photos and other photos you may need for your website. We will also help you write descriptions of your business and your products or services. If you own a business in Oakland, you will also get a free listing on our business directory, Shop Oakland Now. By having your business listed in multiple locations online, you become more “findable” in internet searches. All of these services are no-cost to you thanks to the support of our partners and funders.
If you need support in getting ready for the process, contact Hack the Hood and they will connect you with our team. To get started, visit their website to find all the information linked in the post and to learn more.
