TRADER HEADLINES:

• ​Our Online Shopping (small!) Directory launched in 2023 and has established itself as a go to destination for shoppers (and retailers) looking to find local, unique and beautiful wares with around 9k unique, and growing, visitors to the website in the last year.
• It is your chance to be part of a curated showcase of the county's (and beyond) most wonderful small, local & indie makers, designers, producers, creators and curators of contemporary craft, art & design, sustainable home, fashion & lifestyle wares, vintage finds and artisan food & drink.
• As a Directory member your listing will include your business name, a business intro, 3 product / brand promo photos, a link to your main shopping site (this can be your website, your partner sales site e.g. Etsy or Folksy or to a social profile if that's how you sell online), an additional trader photo with personal intro, location (by closest town / city / district) and a link to your primary social profile.
• Your listing and it's photos will be SEO checked and optimised.
• Your listing will feature in the Directory A-Z and all relevant categories and will have a relevant image by category where needed to ensure your category listing photo aligns with the category (coming soon).
• Directory members are supplied with promotional assets to help them shout about the Directory and their listing. These include digital trader badges, the opportunity to add website backlinks (boosting it in the search algorithm) and Directory boards to use at events or in retail, that's a lot of people shouting about the Directory.
• The Directory receives regular and ongoing promotion to the Cornwall Shop Small email database of over 2.5k & socials of over 11k including seasonal, special and category features. For 2025 securing additional press will be a priority.
• The Directory has a permanent feature on the Visit Cornwall website as part of the Cornwall Shop Small listing.
• The website has had a glow up and SEO overhaul and the Directory sits more at it's heart than ever before. It's the first feature on the homepage, the first (of 4 simplified) menu items and has link backs from multiple website pages.
• The mobile website and Directory design has been prioritised as around 80% of our visitors are on mobile.
• The Directory is promoted at all 2025 Cornwall Shop Small events via signage, with more events than ever before that's great exposure.
• Directory members are part of a welcoming and supportive community:
  • We host a series of bookable member and trader events across the year with a social focus to gather and connect with fellow small businesses and occasional small biz support specials.
  • Members of the Directory get access to small businesses services and support, many at discounted or added value rates with the first of these launching soon.

CHARGES:

• You can make an application to become a member, and be listed in, the Cornwall Shop Small Directory ONLY (not events) via this portal.
• If you're also interested in applying to trade at one of our events head to the relevant 'event' page as an event trader application will also be an application to become a part of the Directory, if you're not already. This is because all successful Market applicants will need to be a part of the Cornwall Shop Small Directory to align our real life events and online presence and create something even more special with an even bigger reach.
• Becoming a Directory member and being listed in the Directory has the following charges:
  • £12 set up fee +
  • £1 per full month hosting fee (payable in a single one-off fee) from your listing launching (through to January '26)
  • ​​So for example if you apply to join the Directory and are accepted and your listing launches mid May you will be charged £12 set up fee plus £8 (£1 a month hosting fee June - January inclusive). Total of £20.
  • After the period (post January '26) you will be able to renew for the hosting fee only (currently £12 for the year).

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• By submitting an application you are confirming that, if your application is successful, you agree to our full Directory Listed Business and Member Terms HERE.
• Directory only applications are open from time to time, sign up for news HERE to be informed when they open if they are currently closed. Please note that when applications are open not all categories may be open.
• Any currently closed categories will be automatically waitlisted / declined if an application is made. Currently closed categories are:
  • Ceramics & Pots
  • Jewellery & Keepsakes
• We will endeavour to respond to successful Directory applications within 28 days. We will not respond to unsuccessful applications.
• Applications to join the Directory alongside applying to trade at an event will open and close in line with the event application timelines detailed on the relevant 'Trade at...' page.
• We use a full range of criteria when curating the Online Directory. Head HERE for a list of WHAT WE LOOK FOR - it's an essential read before you apply to make sure you don't waste your valuable time. 
• Additionally the Directory doesn't currently include street food / hospitality or service based industries. It's focus is on shopping for tangible items so please don't apply if this is you. This may change in the future so sign up for news HERE to be informed if and when it does.
• We pride ourself on a warm welcome and supportive environment, find out more about WHAT WE OFFER HERE.​
• Where an application is successful you will be sent an invoice to pay the relevant fees (by card). The invoice will be payable within 14 days. When this is paid your listing will be created from the information in your application and from the public domain and will go live, usually within 14 days of payment.
• At this stage you will be emailed:
  • A link to view your live listing, you can request any amends at this stage
  • Promo assets to help you shout about the Directory and your inclusion
  • Details of how to access any current bookable member events
  • Details of how to access any current member special added value or discounted small business services and support