HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES

We all know that supporting small businesses makes a positive impact on local communities.

When you make a purchase from a small business in your neighbourhood, you’re not only getting a product/service you need but you’re also helping to make sure these businesses stay alive.

While I understand the convenience of ordering what you need on Amazon, I try to shop locally as much as possible too. Ordering stuff online does not compare to the warm and fuzzy feeling you get when you’ve just supported a vendor at a local market or shop.

Plus, you typically get way better and more personable customer service with local shopping!

And there’s never been a more important time than after the pandemic to do our part in ensuring these wonderful small businesses survive.

Here are a few different ways you can help support your local businesses.

TAKE A DISCOVERY WALK IN YOUR AREA

It‘s possible that you may not even know all of the businesses in your regularly visited neighbourhoods. Sometimes we’re so used to taking the same path that we forget to look at the things we pass by every day.

The next time you’re walking in one of your favourite areas, take a good look around. Is there a shop you haven’t noticed or visited before? Check them out from a fresh perspective. They might even become your new go-to places!

If you’re in Mississauga like I am, a great resource for discovering local businesses is a gorgeous little magazine called Look Local Mississauga. There’s also one for Oakville & Burlington and they are both filled with amazing finds. They’re not only beautiful to look at, but they also do a great job of supporting local communities. They’re scattered around town, so keep your eyes peeled to pick them up when you see them.

BUY GIFTS FROM SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Now that you’ve discovered all these new gems, make sure to keep them top of mind the next time you need to buy something.

Even if you don’t really need anything right now, consider buying gifts at these shops for those you love. As the holiday season approaches, it can be overwhelming to think about what to get and where to go shopping.

Make it extra meaningful by choosing something from a special boutique shop you found nearby. And if you still can’t decide what to get, gift cards from these places might be the perfect solution.

SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE FINDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

To continue showing your love and support for small local businesses, don’t stop after you find them. If you like what you see, tell all your friends and family about it because you know how valuable word of mouth is.

Better yet, share their links and info on your social media platforms explaining what you like about each business. Make sure to tag their business pages too whenever possible or provide direct links to their websites. It doesn’t take that much time but goes a long way!

LEAVE POSITIVE GOOGLE REVIEWS

And last but certainly not least, if you find something good, leave a Google review whenever possible.

Whether it’s a new shop, a family-owned restaurant, or any type of service you just experienced and were happy with, one of the best things you can do to support that business is to leave a positive review.

Google reviews are extremely important for a business to build that very much-needed trust factor. How many times have you researched something online and made a purchasing decision based on Google reviews? I know I’ve done that many times!

Testimonials drive sales but also improve a website’s SEO.

Plus, you’ll really make someone’s day. Whenever I receive fantastic Google reviews, it literally makes my heart sing!

I hope you find this post inspiring and start paying more attention to supporting small local businesses. If you’ve got other ways you like to do it, share your ideas in the comments below.