Across Alberta’s eight largest cities, a familiar story plays out every day: small business owners working hard, building something meaningful, and hoping the community finds them in a world where attention is harder to earn than ever.
In Calgary, a new café opened in Mission this spring — the kind with house-made pastries and a line of regulars who chat like old friends. But the owner admitted that during the first six weeks, “most people walked by without even knowing we were here.” Many Alberta entrepreneurs share that same experience: great product, great service, but not enough people discovering them.
It’s a problem echoed in Edmonton as well. At the Bountiful Farmers’ Market, several vendors saw strong seasonal sales, yet many said they struggled before gaining traction. “Once people found us, everything changed,” one artisan soap maker said. “But the finding part? That’s the hardest.”
Across Alberta, small businesses make up more than 95% of all companies — a reminder that behind every storefront is a household, a dream, and a community asset (1). And while business counts continue to rise, with Alberta seeing a year-over-year increase in active businesses (2), owners say the early stages can feel like shouting into the void.
Communities are trying. Residents in cities like Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, and Red Deer consistently show strong interest in supporting local — and when people know where to go, they show up. But the challenge isn’t desire. It’s discoverability.
That’s why digital visibility has become such a critical part of growth. Alberta’s Digital Economy Program, which helped more than 8,700 businesses improve their online presence, showed how quickly things change when customers can actually find you (3). For many owners, the difference between a slow week and a strong one comes down to being visible in the places locals already search.
Local directories like Alberta’s Best have emerged as one of the simplest ways to bridge that gap — giving residents a central place to explore trusted local businesses while giving owners a way to stand out without massive marketing budgets. The goal is simple: help people discover the businesses they’d love if they only knew they existed.
And when that discovery happens, the effects ripple outward. Edmonton’s craft market vendors see repeat customers. Calgary’s neighbourhood cafés become gathering places. Lethbridge manufacturers grow from local suppliers to regional exporters. Small sparks turn into momentum — and momentum turns into stability.
In every Alberta city, the story is the same: when local businesses are easy to find, they grow. When they grow, communities thrive.
And that’s a story worth telling — and repeating.
Thank you for being part of the AlbertasBest.ca community. Together, we connect Albertans with local businesses that make our communities strong.
Sources:
https://everythinggp.com/2024/10/29/business-booming-in-alberta-province-says/
https://www.atb.com/company/insights/the-twenty-four/number-of-active-businesses-in-alberta-december-2024/
https://digitalmainstreet.ca/digital-economy-program-wrap-up-over-8700-small-businesses-supported-across-alberta/