Did you know that the Victoria area is home to more than 12,000 businesses, most of which are locally-owned and operated 'independent' businesses?

Neither did we when we first started ShopVictoria.ca. Not only did we not know how many businesses there were, we had no idea just how many products and services were available locally.

It turned out that pretty much anything we needed could be found in our own backyard with some 'digging', but it required more effort than most people were willing to spend to find out what was available. At the same time, big box stores and online mega stores with more marketing power were capturing customers' purchases and drawing them in and away from the downtown core and local independent businesses.

To reverse this trend, we built a local online marketplace and directory that features local businesses and the products and services they offer. The site is accessible from both computers and smart phones via a mobile version.

By coming together under a common message that also drives people to a web destination where they can take action, ShopVictoria.ca harnesses the collective power of the local business community to give independents a voice that's even louder than the big corporate brands that dot the landscape.