Oceansports wins $5k grant to help new digital ‘shop front’
Port Douglas expands online
A Douglas business selling a range of scuba diving, snorkelling, spearfishing and underwater photography equipment to Australians online has won state government help to increase its website reach.
Oceansports is one of more than 20 Far North Queensland small businesses to receive grants of $5000 to get their ‘business basics’ on track by investing in areas such as their website, marketing plan or business coaching.
Jay Wink, Managing Director of Oceansports Port Douglas, said the grant will help to strengthen the business’s online presence following a period of reduced tourist numbers to the region due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“By having some extra funds, it enables us to invest in search engine optimisation and creating the right content for our audience,” Mr Wink said.
“Our business has relied on tourists to the region, so this grant allows to us to grow our online business quickly and attract more customers – it’s amazing how much interest we get from interstate,” he said.
“We need to keep our website up to date and promote our business, so this will be a fantastic promotional tool and opportunity for us.”
Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui said it is great to hear that Oceansports is going to expand their online shop range to include camping and outdoor gear for customers across Australia.
“From Oceansports Port Douglas to Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway, and Coastal Rotors, Bamaga to Teeze Cakes, Mareeba these grants are making a real difference to the 25 recipients across a range of industries in our region,” Ms Lui said.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the latest round of the Business Basics grants program is injecting $5000 in each business, which represents $120,000 being invested in businesses across the Far North region.
“The Queensland Government is continuing to back our small businesses as they get back on track and pursue new opportunities,” Ms Farmer said.