WeShopSC, an innovative digital marketplace launched in 2023, is a collaborative initiative by the Municipal Association of SC, Beyond Main and Main Street South Carolina. This one-of-a-kind, statewide platform is entirely dedicated to South Carolina’s cities, towns and small businesses, offering a unique online presence that enhances growth, visibility and community connection. WeShopSC provides local businesses with the tools to establish a robust digital footprint, attract new customers and become part of a statewide, community-centered online hub.
Expansion through hands-on support
Since its inception, WeShopSC has expanded to assist small businesses across 25 counties, providing essential resources like marketing templates, branded QR code window decals and inventory management tools. Recently, the WeShopSC team conducted workshops across eight counties, offering businesses technical training on e-commerce essentials such as product photography, online merchandising and customer engagement strategies.
As a result, more than 640 businesses have joined WeShopSC, marking a 720% increase in participation within 18 months. Currently, 96 cities and towns across South Carolina are represented on the platform.
A recent podcast from the Municipal Association of SC brought together the WeShopSC team with business owners from Gaffney and Inman to share their experiences.
Building stronger communities
The heart of WeShopSC’s mission is community. As South Carolina’s only statewide e-commerce platform, the site helps small businesses thrive as both independent enterprises and integral parts of their local economies. It offers personalized business profiles, gift card functionality, as well as support for curbside and local delivery. The platform fosters economic resilience and highlights the unique appeal of South Carolina’s downtowns and entrepreneurs.
“It's exciting to see the variety of products and services our local businesses bring to the platform every day — from original artwork to unique jewelry pieces and stylish shoes,” said Jenny Boulware, manager of Main Street South Carolina. “These products reflect the talent and creativity of the state’s small business community, and each new addition enriches our state’s digital marketplace, making it even easier to support local.”
Fueling growth with grant funding
The WeShopSC team has secured more than $200,000 in grants to drive platform growth, including a recent award from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission. This grant funds in-person workshops to help businesses create online storefronts, giving them the advantage of a 24/7 presence and the potential for a wider economic impact.
Marketing has been another key focus. Through a StimulateSC grant from the SC Department of Commerce and a Tourism Advertising grant from the SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, the platform has been promoted across TV, print and social media. A six-week campaign on Google and social media generated more than 9,000 clicks from 126,446 impressions on the WeShopSC landing page.
Join the platform
WeShopSC is collaboratively creating a brighter future for South Carolina’s small businesses. As the only platform exclusively for South Carolina, WeShopSC provides a user-friendly space for businesses to announce products, services and events, and to engage more deeply with their communities.
Small businesses looking to expand their online presence can schedule a virtual workshop by emailing weshopsc@masc.sc. Stay updated by following WeShopSC on Instagram and Facebook and visiting WeShopSC.com. Every search, share and purchase strengthens South Carolina’s local communities.