For NYC small businesses
Free websites, tools, and marketing for your small business.
Novus is a student-run nonprofit helping small businesses across NYC. Tell us what you need, and we’ll connect you with a team that can help.
Tell us what you need
Share a few details about your business and the support you are looking for. The form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, and French.
Working with Novus
Clear steps, regular updates, and work you can use.
Most projects take 2 to 4 months, depending on the scope. Smaller projects may move faster.
- 1
Tell us what you need
Share a little about your business and the support you are looking for.
- 2
Plan the project
We meet with you, confirm the scope, and set a realistic timeline.
- 3
Build and review
Your student team shares progress and revises the work with your feedback.
- 4
Launch and handoff
We finish the work, share access, and walk you through the next steps.
What we build for small businesses
Your student team scopes the work with you, shares regular updates, and hands over clear, usable deliverables at the end of the project.
Website design and developmentWe build your website from scratch, or fix the one you have.
- Custom website built or redesigned from scratch
- Mobile-friendly, fast-loading pages with clear service and contact sections
- Ongoing updates and maintenance after launch
Google Search and Maps visibilityShow up when customers search for you on Google and Maps.
- Google Business Profile setup and optimization
- Yelp and Apple Maps listing cleanup
- Website improvements for search ranking
Social media and contentA posting plan and real content, not a strategy deck you'll never use.
- Weekly posting plan based on your goals
- Original short videos and graphics using your story
- Simple tracking so you know what's working
Graphic designPrint and digital materials your customers actually take home.
- Menu design and layout for restaurants and cafés
- Flyers, signage, and promotional materials
- Business cards, loyalty cards, and branded templates
Sales and financial analysisWe go through your numbers and tell you what they actually mean.
- Sales and revenue trend breakdowns
- Nearby competitor and pricing comparison
- Clear recommendations for pricing and operations
Grant research and writingWe find the grants, write the application, and hand it to you to sign.
- Grant eligibility research for your business
- Full application drafting, including writing, budget, and materials
- Deadline tracking and final submission prep
Community connections
Connected to the organizations that serve NYC businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Working with Novus
Is this really free?
Yes. Novus NYC is a nonprofit corporation incorporated in New York State. There are no fees, no contracts, and no catch. Our student teams do everything at no cost to your business.
How long does a project take?
Most projects take around 2 to 4 months from the first conversation to launch, depending on the business and project scope. Simpler projects can move much faster. We give you a timeline before we start.
What do I need to provide?
Just 30 minutes for an initial conversation to go over your needs. After that, we handle the work and keep you updated along the way.
Who will be working on my project?
A team of high school and college students from across NYC, led by a project director. You will know who is on your team and what they are working on.
Do I need to be tech-savvy?
Not at all. We handle the technical work and walk you through how to use and maintain what we build.
What types of businesses do you work with?
We support small, independently owned businesses across NYC, including restaurants, retailers, professional services, and neighborhood organizations. Tell us about your needs and we will let you know whether we are a fit.
Your project
Can you help if I already have a website?
Yes. We can review and improve an existing site, help update its content, or recommend a focused next step such as search visibility, mobile usability, or clearer customer information.
Will I own the work after the project ends?
Yes. We build projects for your business and make sure you have the access and information you need to continue using them after handoff.
How often will I hear from my team?
Your team will agree on a communication schedule at the start of the project. You can expect regular progress updates and a clear point of contact for questions.
Can you work in languages other than English?
We will do our best to match your needs and can discuss language preferences during the initial conversation. Let us know what would make communication most comfortable for you.
Support and referrals
What happens when the project is complete?
We walk you through the finished work, share any needed access, and provide simple next-step guidance. Some projects may also be eligible for continued support, depending on team capacity.
Can a BID or community organization refer a business?
Yes. We welcome referrals from BIDs, community groups, schools, and local partners. Include the business name and a little context in the contact form so we can follow up.
What if I need help that is not listed here?
Reach out anyway. We will listen to what you need and let you know whether a Novus student team can help, or whether another local resource may be a better fit.
Looking for support for your business?
We're taking on new projects across New York City. Tell us about your business and the support you need, and we'll follow up within a few business days.