The past year has presented some challenging and complicated times for economies around the world. Such challenges have hit the small local business sector harder than most. With government-mandated lockdowns and the lack of the same resources that larger companies and businesses enjoy, local businesses have struggled greatly, and they will continue to do so as they attempt to get up and running once more.
In great part, the fate of small businesses will depend on the ability of their local communities to patronize them and keep them going. While the reality of the situation will be closure for many small businesses of this sort, it is important to do what you can to ensure that as many stay open as possible.
Local businesses give a community individuality and uniqueness as well as provide patrons with options that are different from big-box chains. Furthermore, keeping local businesses running is one of the best ways to help stimulate your local economy.
If you are interested in supporting local businesses that are struggling after the pandemic, here are three things that you can do.
- Get Shopping
First and foremost, the best thing you can do to support local businesses is to patronize them. By choosing a local business over a major chain for certain purchases, you can do a great deal to help keep that business going.
You might be tempted by some lower prices offered at major chains, and most people have been feeling the financial strain of the last year themselves. However, by using local coupons, you can give a local retailer your business without breaking the bank. Even a small purchase here and there can make a world of difference for a small business in your area.
- Write Positive Reviews
Many small businesses don’t have the ability or resources necessary to launch major marketing campaigns. They depend on positive word of mouth in order to generate buzz about their business. Because of this, one simple and free way in which you can support a certain local business is to write positive reviews.
Most businesses will at least have a social media page or a Yelp page on which you can leave a positive review. Be specific about why you enjoy patronizing that business and why you think others should do the same. Enough positive reviews can help to boost sales for a small business in a big way.
- Buy Gift Cards
If you want to help patronize a local business but aren’t really in need of anything they sell at the current time, consider buying gift cards. Buying gift cards helps to give a business the sales they need without you having to make a specific purchase.
You can choose to use your gift cards at a later date when something comes up that you would like to purchase or even give them out as presents. This will have the added benefit of spreading the word about your favorite local shops.
