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ShopIowa.com allows Iowa small businesses to benefit from Cyber Monday

The site launched in August as an effort to bolster Iowa business owners' online presence.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Cyber Monday is upon us, and if you didn't have a chance to shop locally this weekend, you can do so straight from your living room.

ShopIowa.com is a website that is a one-stop-shop for Iowa small businesses in 79 counties. 

The Iowa Economic Development Authority launched the resource in August, after an economic impact survey by the University of Northern Iowa showed that just one-third of Iowa small business respondents had an online presence. Now, business owners can join the site as a vendor at no cost.

"A lot of the success stories include stores that have seen such success with their online sales that we have lifted the cap of products that they can display on there from 25 to 50," said Staci Hupp Ballard, of Iowa Economic Development Authority. "It's been a great addition for small retailers across Iowa, especially in a year like this."

Shop Iowa brings together retail businesses from across the state into one online marketplace. Browse and buy online and feel good knowing that every purchase you make on Shop Iowa goes to a local business in Iowa.

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Shoppers can shop by product type, city, or zip code.

Ballard says they soon hope to feature businesses from all 99 counties.

If you are a business owner and would like to be a vendor, you can register on the site.

Iowa businesses with a retail storefront* or handmade in Iowa** products can sell for FREE on Shop Iowa! ✓ You are either a small brick & mortar retail business in Iowa OR you are a small business that has Iowa Made/ Iowa Manufactured products ✓ You must have products that can be easily shipped ✓ You're ready to receive online orders through the Shop Iowa *Retail Brick and Mortar storefronts within a commercial zoning classification.

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