How Customers Can Support Small Businesses Year-Round

Customers don’t have to limit their small business support to shopping holidays. They can support small businesses in their communities year-round! From the start of January until the last month in the year, these tips will help you go the extra mile to support small businesses in your neighborhood.

Spread The Word On Nextdoor

It’s always a great idea to support small businesses on social media platforms. Local businesses, however, benefit significantly from receiving kudos on neighborhood-centric apps like Nextdoor.

Do you know a new small business which opened in your area? Share the name of the business, and its location, on Nextdoor. Try to include their address and a link to their website, if possible. This gives neighbors the chance to visit in-person and online. Encourage neighbors to welcome the business to the neighborhood and shop there.

Shop Local Year-Round

Instead of going to the same supermarket, consider shopping more frequently at the farmers’ market. Purchase gifts for family and friends on occasions including holidays and birthdays from small businesses instead of shopping online at major retailers. Dine out at a local eatery or coffee shop instead of going to a chain restaurant.

One of the easiest ways to support small businesses is to shop local. However, you don’t want to limit your shopping to seasonal times of the year. Weave shopping local into your day-to-day. Commit to shopping with, and supporting, small businesses throughout the year.

Send Over Referrals

Most small businesses, including hair salons, will offer clients a discount if they receive referrals. Refer family, friends, and neighbors to businesses which can use the referrals to build their client base. You may receive a discount and the person you refer may find a great new spot which caters to their needs.

Write Positive Reviews

Customer reviews are critical for small businesses. These reviews enable potential customers to discover the business and its offerings and help the business rank higher for SEO purposes in search. If you have a positive experience with a small business, write about it on review platforms like Yelp and Trustpilot.

What if a business does not have a presence on these platforms? Share the review on their social media accounts or tag them in a post or tweet.

Commit To Discovering More Businesses

You may be familiar with a new coffee shop which opened down the street from your house or a hair salon a few blocks away. What other small businesses are local you haven’t visited yet?

Go for a walk, or a drive, around the neighborhood. See which businesses you know are already open. Keep your eyes open for any announcements about businesses which may be opening soon or recently opened their doors to the public. If you see a business which may be new to you, stop by for a visit.

Additionally, you can always check in with your local Chamber of Commerce. They may provide you with a list of small businesses in your area. Some may be familiar to you. Others may be brand new.

Throughout the year, commit to discovering businesses. You can find them on foot or with a quick drive. Once you find a new business, support small businesses by shopping there and referring them to your network.

Ask For Small Business Recommendations

You don’t have to be the only person who is on the hunt for small businesses! Ask your family, friends, and neighbors for business recommendations.

Need a new accountant? A new hair stylist? A suggestion for where to have dinner tonight? Ask locals for their recommendations and expand your sphere of small businesses even more from their advice.

Ready to start a small business alongside some of your favorite local spots? Let us help you incorporate or form an LLC. Visit us at mycorporation.com or call us at 877-692-6772.

Deborah Sweeney

Deborah Sweeney is an advocate for protecting personal and business assets for business owners and entrepreneurs. With extensive experience in the field of corporate and intellectual property law, Deborah provides insightful commentary on the benefits of incorporation and trademark registration. Education: Deborah received her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Pepperdine University, and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of West Los Angeles and San Fernando School of Law in corporate and intellectual property law. Experience: After becoming a partner at LA-based law firm, Michel & Robinson, she became an in-house attorney for MyCorporation, formerly a division in Intuit. She took the company private in 2009 and after 10 years of entrepreneurship sold the company to Deluxe Corporation. Deborah is also well-recognized for her written work online as a contributing writer with some of the top business and entrepreneurial blogging sites including Forbes, Business Insider, SCORE, and Fox Business, among others. Fun facts/Other pursuits: Originally from Southern California, Deborah enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, Benjamin and Christopher, and practicing Pilates. Deborah believes in the importance of family and credits the entrepreneurial business model for giving her the flexibility to enjoy both a career and motherhood. Deborah, and MyCorporation, have previously been honored by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s List of the Valley’s Largest Women-Owned Businesses in 2012. MyCorporation received the Stevie Award for Best Women-Owned Business in 2011.