Local businesses are not only important to build the economy stronger, but they contribute to the health of the community. If you want to contribute to creating a cohesive and welcoming community identity you need small businesses and people supporting each other. If you are looking for ways to support a small business this is the blog for you. We discuss 5 things you can do that can benefit a small business.
How to support a small business?
1. Buy gift cards
Buying gift cards helps promote small businesses. Even if a store is closed, you can buy them for later use. This supports local businesses even when they can’t sell products or services. Gift cards can also introduce your friends and family to new small businesses. Everyone loves this item because they feel like free money.
Moreover, a gift card to a small business ensures they shop there. This increases awareness of the store’s products. By giving people gift cards from local businesses, you support the growth of these businesses and help them reach new customers in your community.
2. Promote the brand on social media
Using social media is one of the free ways to support small businesses, as it increases their brand awareness. Being a small business means they have to face really tough competition in the market. Promoting them online allows them to get the well-deserved attention which also helps them by reducing advertising costs.
Your social media shares help them reach more potential customers. When you tag them in posts about recent purchases it shows support and posting reviews on their website and sharing them on social media helps them gain new visibility and increases their reach. Every share, tag, and review strengthens their online presence. These free yet small efforts make a big difference in small business’s success.
3. Buy gifts for your friends and family
Word of mouth is important for all businesses, and it is applicable especially to small businesses. Because all small businesses might not have a huge budget to go shoulder to shoulder with big box retailers and large businesses.
Buying gifts for your friends and family is one of the best ways to support a small business as it helps spread brand awareness through word of mouth. It allows you to show others what type of products these businesses offer and what they can expect when they shop with a particular business.
4. Shop online
Nowadays most small businesses have websites where you can shop without visiting a physical store. Online shopping is a way of supporting these businesses even when they are not in your vicinity.
When you do online shopping, you pay state sales tax and similarly the small businesses also pay business taxes which is beneficial for the communities. The more tax revenue local governments have the more fund community projects get. That’s how supporting small businesses through online shopping strengthens both the economy and your neighborhood.
5. Leave positive reviews
Among the ways to support small businesses for free, leaving positive reviews is excellent. You can visit review sites, business directories, Google Business Profile, and the business’s social media profile to provide reviews which will take only a few moments, but will help the business a lot.
As most of the customers today heavily rely on online reviews before making a buying decision, you can really be of help to businesses by providing good reviews. Therefore, reviews can be a direct contribution to the growth of small businesses.
3 compelling reasons to support small businesses
1. Positive impact to the local economy
As growing companies emerge—many of which began in humble garages or cozy coffee shops—they create thriving ecosystems that support and uplift other small businesses, enabling them to flourish alongside them.
Entrepreneurship has a ripple effect, sparking new ventures and inspiring others to take bold steps, much like online curators who expand the reach of small brands by introducing their products to wider audiences.
When you choose to buy locally, the money you spend remains within the community, directly contributing to its economic development. This phenomenon, known as the multiplier effect, strengthens local businesses by fostering interconnected relationships.
For instance, a restaurant sourcing ingredients from nearby farmers, working with a local insurance broker, and collaborating with a neighborhood design firm helps create a network of support that allows the entire business community to prosper together.
2. Creation of jobs and support for communities
Small businesses, particularly retail stores, play a vital role in shaping the heart and soul of a local community. As bustling centers of commerce and interaction, these businesses help create a lively hub where shop owners, business associations, and local governments collaborate to maintain and enhance the unique character of their town or neighborhood.
This shared effort not only fosters a sense of identity and pride but also boosts the town’s overall appeal, attracting tourists whose spending supports the local economy and benefits nearby attractions, hotels, and tour services.
Beyond their economic contributions, small businesses are powerful engines of job creation, offering employment opportunities that keep communities thriving. Their presence provides invaluable hands-on experience, allowing individuals to develop essential business skills that serve as a foundation for future success.
3. Sustainable shopping alternatives
Although not always the case, smaller businesses—particularly direct-to-consumer brands—often have a more direct and transparent journey from manufacturer to consumer. This means greater visibility into the materials, ingredients, and origins of the products you purchase.
Many small businesses are makers themselves, crafting goods locally with care and precision, while others serve as resellers, curating unique products from small-batch brands that prioritize quality and craftsmanship.
Because they operate on a smaller scale, these businesses often have the flexibility to manufacture and source their materials locally and ethically, ensuring responsible production practices. While the cost of their goods may be higher compared to mass-produced alternatives found at large chain retailers, the price reflects more than just the product itself—it represents a commitment to sustainability and ethical labor.
Final thoughts
You must have your own reasons to support the small businesses and now we hope that you’ve found all the more reasons to do so. We also hope that this blog has helped you by showing some of the excellent ways to support a small business and how your action can directly or indirectly contribute to the business growth.
