The Future of Local Shopping: Building Digital Downtowns

In today’s digital-first world, communities and local businesses face a growing challenge: how to compete online while maintaining the unique charm and personal connections that define their communities. Digital Downtown Marketplaces bring together convenience, accessibility, and the unique charm of local communities.

At Beyond Main, our technology platform empowers communities to create vibrant online destinations where local businesses can thrive. By providing an all-in-one solution, we make it easy for towns and organizations to connect commerce and community seamlessly.

As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping, local businesses need tools to compete. Digital downtowns offer communities the ability to showcase their businesses in one centralized platform, allowing businesses to reach new customers while strengthening connections with existing ones. Our technology offers: 

• A Centralized Marketplace: A digital hub representing the entire downtown business population, showcasing local products, services, and events.

• Commission-Free E-Commerce: Businesses can sell online commission free and enjoy features such as Shopify and Square integration making inventory management seamless. 

• Omnichannel Fulfillment: Flexible options like shipping, delivery, and in-store pickup make shopping convenient for customers.

• Digital Gift Cards: Community-wide gift cards support multiple businesses and encourage local spending.

• Aggregated Business Directories: A user-friendly way for customers to discover and connect with local businesses.

• Training and Resources: Support from industry experts to help businesses build their digital presence and grow their reach.

This all-in-one solution simplifies operations for small businesses, strengthens local economies, and creates a vibrant digital experience for communities.

The impact of Digital Downtowns is already visible through our partnerships like WeShopSC, a statewide marketplace created in collaboration with Main Street South Carolina. Since its launch:

• More than 640 businesses across 96 cities have joined the platform.

• Monthly site visitors average over 10,000, bringing local products to a broader audience.

Another success story is Montclair Center BID, where grant funding helped onboard over 100 small businesses to Beyond Main’s marketplace. By providing training and subsidized costs, the initiative strengthened Montclair’s downtown economy while making shopping locally easier for residents and visitors.

Digital Downtowns are about more than technology—they’re about creating opportunities for small businesses to thrive and communities to grow. By bridging the gap between local commerce and online convenience, Beyond Main helps towns create sustainable, vibrant economies.

If you’re a community leader, downtown director, or state official looking to bring a Digital Downtown to your community, contact us to learn how Beyond Main can help. Together, we can build stronger, more connected neighborhoods.