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Carpentersville launches Shop C'Ville initiative

Carpentersville has launched a new interactive portal that serves as a marketing tool for businesses and a resource for shoppers.

The Shop C'Ville initiative, which went live last week, offers a searchable directory of all licensed Carpentersville businesses. The portal can be accessed through the village's website or on a new Village of Carpentersville mobile app, Economic Development Director Patrick Burke said.

The village previously listed businesses on its website, he said, but it was out of date and wasn't user-friendly.

"I wanted to provide a better service to our businesses and our residents that want to spend their money in Carpentersville," Burke said. "This is one way we hope we'll be able to help market and advertise our businesses."

With Shop C'Ville, businesses can customize their profiles with a description, photos, hours and contact information. They can share links to their websites and social media accounts, as well as add information about special events or promotions.

"It's actually a very easy process to do," Burke said, noting more than a dozen businesses have already customized their profiles. "It's really up to each business how they want to use it."

The village provides basic information, such as a name and address, for businesses that choose not to be involved.

The portal is also helpful for shoppers and consumers, who can search for a service by name, category or location, he said. With the app, consumers can also use the location services on their mobile device to find the closest restaurants or stores.

Operated by government technologies company GovQA, the program costs the village about $150 per month, Burke said, in addition to a roughly $1,000 startup fee.

Though the portal is fully operational, he said, Carpentersville is seeking feedback and brainstorming ways to improve the Shop C'Ville initiative.

"I'm all for exploring and experimenting how we can use the site to better promote our businesses and finding different ways to use this," Burke said. "We're hoping this will be an interactive relationship - another way for businesses to connect to residents and customers."

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