General FAQ

Why should I join Beyond Main?

Beyond Main is often described as “Amazon or Etsy, but for your local community”.  Consumer behavior has changed.  Customers are now trained to begin their shopping journey online, if your business is not represented you are removing yourself from the customers' decision-making process.  Beyond Main helps you connect with customers nearby and provides a one-stop, local shopping opportunity for them to engage with your business.

How does Beyond Main focus on local?

Beyond Main is user geolocation focused.  By default, we show users what is nearest to them.  This enables shoppers to more consciously shop, search, and discover things they need local to where they currently are.  For example 

What if I already have a website?

Beyond Main was designed to support businesses at all levels of automation.  Beyond Main shops can link an existing website to their Beyond Main shop, as well as social media accounts, and other marketplace stores.  If you have an existing website that is not e-commerce capable, Beyond Main can add value to your existing site by linking Beyond Main as your “shop” feature.  Already have an e-commerce capable website, create special offerings and use Beyond Main as a lead generator, improve your SEO by having another shopping capability listed online, or encourage local customers to shop through your Beyond Main shop to make adding additional fulfillment methods a breeze.  Beyond Main can add value to your business in many ways beyond standard software.  If you are looking to unify your online e-commerce management systems, Beyond Main provides a solution through our Advanced packages.  These packages include website development and integration services.  Your custom website will then be linked and managed through your Beyond Main dashboard.

Can I operate more than one market or shop through my Beyond Main account?

Yes!  With one subscription you can manage multiple markets or shop locations at no additional cost.  In addition, you can set multiple admins and managers to your shops to help you effectively manage your online presence.

What If I don’t want to offer delivery?

No problem, you control how and what your business offers.  Beyond Main’s default is buy online pick-up in-store.  Many additional offerings can be customized and made available in the cart at checkout through our modifiers and extras software functions such as; setting a delivery radius for free or a flat fee, request no contact curbside pick-up, free gift wrapping, purchase with purchase offers, and add a donation or tip of a pre-selected amount to an order.

Is there a limit on the number of items I can list?

No, you will have unlimited listing capabilities.  We do ask that you keep your listings current in order to prevent customer disappointment and ensure your vendors allow for online selling.

Will I have access to my customers' information?

Yes, once a customer shops with your business their order history and profile information is placed in your CRM section of Beyond Main.  You will be able to export contact information, print order details, message and contact the customer easily, etc.

What fees does Beyond Main charge?

Beyond Main is a low-cost monthly subscription-based service provider.  During the launch process Beyond Main charges a low-cost, one-time onboarding, set-up fee. Unlike other well-known marketplaces, Beyond Main does NOT charge commission fees on purchases made through the website.  Only standard Stripe credit card processing fees are deducted from purchases prior to direct transfer to a business's designated bank account.

Do you provide set-up and onboarding assistance?

Yes, this assistance is built into your elected onboarding fee.  Beyond Main can offer different levels of support and assistance.  A complimentary consultation is provided free to assist you in how to maximize your Beyond Main shop and creating a strategy that can easily be executed for your business.  Our Basic+ and Advanced subscription packages offer initial shop build support if elected.

How about ongoing support?

Yes, while our main goal is to help businesses reduce operational expenses and help you get more out of the tools you invest in if additional support is needed we do offer ongoing support through our professional services menu or [e-mail] is always a resource available for troubleshooting minor issues.

How long does it take to get my store launched?

This really depends on the business type and owner.  We have seen it take as little as 30 minutes or as long as 5-7 days.  On average our process of store registration to launch is estimated to be 6-8 hours.

What types of stores realize success on Beyond Main?

Businesses of all types are successful on Beyond Main.  Our top sellers tend to have these things in common. 

• A healthy selection of products or services to offer that add value to their customers' lives
• Businesses that offer various fulfillment methods
• Shops that are actively marketing online through social media, by email, and text to their existing customer base
• Shops that link their Beyond Main account wherever possible
• Businesses that collaborate with other businesses, organizations, or individuals to run cross-marketing campaigns.

What types of marketing support, beyond the virtual main street, does Beyond Main provide?

Beyond Main provides various ways to highlight your business.  Many free to participating retailers; feature blog posts, social media takeover or story highlights, email features to our overall customer profile database, etc.  Beyond Main also runs targeted ads via social media and online to drive awareness of the shop local marketplace.  We feel that shop local campaigns should also be supported by opportunities for customers to shop local with businesses nearby.

If I join Beyond Main, how will I be billed?  Can I cancel or pause my shop and subscription?

It is free to create an account with Beyond Main.  Your business will be charged when your shop launches online to the public.  You can take as long as needed in building your online shop.  Once launched, you will be charged your elected on-boarding fee and monthly subscriptions will begin.  Shops can be paused at any time and for any reason by the shop owner. Cancellations can also be made at any time.  We just ask that cancellation requests be submitted in writing to [e-mail] and by the 15th of each month in order to prevent an additional subscription fee from occurring. If a shop owner is wishing to pause its subscription for more than 30 days but does not wish to cancel and delete its shop, a written request to [e-mail] is also required and a pause can be placed until the shop owner requests reactivation.

I represent and/or work for an economic development or downtown organization in my community, does Beyond Main partner with these groups or individuals to create custom community programs?

Yes, Beyond Main currently works with several state and city downtown organizations and community leaders.  We have crafted partnership programs to meet the specific needs of the community inquiring.  Please send us a note to [e-mail] to learn more.

I am a property owner and would like to offer this service as a benefit to my tenant.  Do you allow property owners to sponsor businesses in joining the marketplace?

Yes, we do allow for this.  Once your tenant has accepted and wishes to join we work with based on the sponsorship subscriptions and/or services you have approved.

Do you sell ad space on your website?

No, we currently do not sell ad space on beyondmain.com.  Our homepage aims to give all our business partners front page time and the opportunity to reach new site visitors regularly.  The homepage feature space is currently a round-robin cycle.  You can improve your chances of being featured here by updating your online shop with merchandise regularly.