The 25 Best Ways To Support Small Businesses In 2024

Whether you’re a foodie who loves local restaurants or a conscientious shopper, supporting small businesses helps the local economy and provides jobs for residents.

You can do many things to support local small businesses, from spreading the word among friends to directly donating to their operations.

In this guide, we’ll break down 25 ways to support small businesses to help them bring in new customers and improve your local economy.

Why You Should Support Small Business Owners

Taking the time to support small businesses is more critical than ever, with many companies struggling to stay afloat in an uncertain economy.

Faced with intense competition from major chain stores and an increasingly online consumer marketplace, their support helps them pay their bills and keep staff on board.

Here are some other reasons why you should support small businesses in your town or city:

• Improving the local economy. Small businesses help alleviate job market stresses while ensuring your money stays in the local economy.
• Fostering healthy communities. By supporting small businesses such as cafes and restaurants, you help bring greater social cohesion to your local community.
• High-quality alternatives to corporate products. Since many small businesses sell products created by local artisans or produce from farms in the area, the quality is often superior to mass-produced alternatives from corporations.

With local businesses offering a friendly and personal shopping experience, they’re a great way to build valuable relationships with your fellow residents.

The 25 Best Ways To Support Small Businesses In 2024

Supporting local businesses is hugely rewarding and gives something back to the community and your local economy.

The best small business ideas rely on local residents for their income, and your help can improve their revenue and allow them to reach out to potential customers.

Here are 25 ways to support small businesses, covering everything from leaving positive online reviews to prioritizing them over corporate chain stores.

25. Show Your Appreciation

The first and easiest way you can help support small businesses is to show your appreciation for their hard work in delivering quality services.

Running small businesses can be incredibly stressful, particularly when the owner has put their finances on the line to make it successful.

Thanking them when you make a purchase or use their services can go a long way toward making them feel that the effort is worthwhile.

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24. Tip Generously

One of the other ways to support small business owners and show your support is by tipping their staff whenever they provide a high level of service.

Many employees of service-based small businesses often rely on customer tips to enhance their wages above what the owners can afford.

Combined with a “thank you” and a smile, it can make the employee’s day and is common practice for anyone who regularly drinks at their local coffee shop.

23. Step Back From Online Shopping

With the rise of digital products and online shopping, many people have abandoned supporting small businesses in favor of a more convenient consumer experience.

While purchasing products online might be quicker and easier, local small businesses inevitably suffer from the drop in customers in brick-and-mortar establishments.

You can create separate shopping lists for online shopping and local business purchases, opting for the latter for items requiring in-person examination to assess their quality.

22. Be Patient With Their Services

Many small businesses lack the infrastructure, facilities, and staffing level to compete with corporate chains, and their services can sometimes be a little slower.

If you’re waiting to get served or a small business hasn’t fulfilled your order as quickly as you’d hoped, a little patience can go a long way to showing support.

Shopping locally is more productive when done at a leisurely pace, so consider passing the time chatting with staff instead of making a fuss.

21. Follow Them On Social Media

Most local businesses have a presence on social media platforms to announce new offers and promote their products or services in the area.

The better their online reach becomes, the more followers they have and the higher the level of engagement their social media presence receives.

You can help by following their social media pages, liking and sharing their posts, and helping them improve their visibility and reach a broader audience.

Learn more: Find out how to write a compelling social media portfolio.

20. Recommend Via Word Of Mouth

Word of mouth is another traditional, tried-and-tested method businesses have used for many years to increase their customers and sales.

You can start by sharing your positive experiences at a local business with friends and family members and encouraging them to visit it.

If you know anyone working in media, see if they can do a writeup the small business owner can then include on their website’s press page.

19. Invest In New Ventures

If you’re an investor with some cash to spare, you can help the local economy grow by funding new small business owners in your area.

Assess the risk beforehand and see what competition they’ll face to ensure your investment has a reasonable chance of delivering returns.

You can also consider setting up your own business and trying it yourself, creating a positive impact while making money.

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18. Pay With Cash

While consumers are more likely to spend additional sums when paying by card, cash payments can significantly help small business owners save money.

Credit card fees can reduce profit margins over time, so if you have the cash to pay, consider using this instead.

17. Recommend Them In Surveys

Local newspapers and other media outlets often run surveys asking residents what local businesses they prefer to use and why they appeal.

If you come across a survey or other research into locally owned businesses, take a moment to provide feedback on the businesses you frequently use.

It can help get their business seen in the media, provide them with social proof, and improve their reputation, all for no expense other than a few minutes of your time.

16. Join Loyalty Programs

Some small businesses offer loyalty programs for customers designed to encourage repeat business and foster long-lasting relationships.

Whether you’re a regular customer at a rental business in your town or frequently dine at local restaurants, sign up for their programs when you can.

15. Consider A Donation

When most people consider donating, they typically think of nonprofit organizations such as local charities and other similar institutions.

You can apply the same principle to your support for local businesses, offering them a donation during the holiday season as a goodwill gesture.

A donation can help them compete with big businesses and continue to deliver the level of services that keep customers returning to their stores.

Learn more: Find out how to start a local flower business.

14. Join Their Email List

Signing up for a company mailing list to receive instant notifications can help you stay on top of a small business’s latest developments.

It’s quick and easy to do, and it will help you stay informed about their latest products and services and any discounts or sales that may be on the horizon.

Provided the business has a website, you should be able to add your name to the email list there, then sit back and wait for the deals to roll in.

13. Avoid Corporate Chains

With the future of the high street facing growing uncertainty, small businesses are increasingly under threat of being sent under by corporate competition.

Choosing to do your weekly shopping locally is an effective way to support small businesses facing the prospect of closure due to a lack of trade.

You can buy your food from the local farmer’s market instead of a supermarket, with a marked quality improvement also guaranteed.

12. Support Their Online Stores

Many local businesses understand how shopping trends have been increasingly focused on online, setting up websites to meet this changing consumer landscape.

The next time you shop online, you can purchase directly from your local store and save yourself a trip down the high street.

Online shopping from local businesses can also save you money for delivery fees, allowing you to place an order and then collect it from the store when it arrives.

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11. Research New Small Businesses

One of the challenges small business owners face is promoting their new venture and attracting potential customers and clients.

You can stay informed about the latest local businesses by reading newspapers and other media or paying attention whenever you’re walking down the high street.

If you spot a new coffee shop or other recently opened small businesses, take the time to check them out and see if they’re of interest.

10. Use Small Businesses For Gifts

Supporting small businesses doesn’t have to revolve exclusively around your personal shopping habits, with holiday shopping an ideal time to shop locally.

Likewise, shopping at local businesses for birthday gifts and other special occasions can be a great way to discover unique presents that a larger major chain won’t stock.

Hunt down local arts and crafts businesses to see what they create, and explore local events set up to promote creative professionals in your town or city.

9. Adjust Your Budget

Independently run local businesses are often more expensive than their large chain counterparts, so you may need to rethink your spending to support them.

This can be easily achieved by allocating a specific budget for small business purchases in addition to your regular shopping budget.

Such products are usually of higher quality than mass-produced clothing and other items, so they’re a great investment in the long run.

8. Offer To Help Out

If you’re aware of a local business struggling to operate, you can help directly by volunteering your unique skills in your spare time.

Depending on your skills, there are many ways to do this, from helping them write a brand manifesto to handing out flyers.

It’s a great way to put into practice the principle of reciprocation and will be a rewarding use of your time and effort.

7. Request Deposits To Defer Payment

Many people are feeling the strain on their budgets as the economy struggles, so paying for larger items in full can often mean choosing not to buy them.

Many small businesses allow customers to request a deposit in advance, deferring the full payment until later and saving money in the short term.

If they don’t explicitly offer this service, you can request a deposit option to guarantee a future sale and help you spread the cost.

6. Avoid Canceling Orders

There are likely occasions when you cannot pay for a product or service, and canceling the order is your first option.

If this is the case, consider rescheduling instead, if possible, as this can help the business keep its services functioning over time.

5. Praise Them On Review Sites

Another popular and simple way to help small businesses thrive and reach a larger customer base is by leaving positive reviews on various websites.

Local hotels and restaurants are typically listed on review sites such as Tripadvisor, so if you visit for a stay or meal, leave a glowing review of your experience,

The more great reviews a small business receives, the higher it will rank on the sites and improve its chances of getting new customers.

You can also encourage your friends to do the same and help build a business’s reputation in its particular product or service niche.

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4. Order Takeout

Many small restaurants and other food services offer take-out as an alternative to dining on the property, which can be an excellent way to show your support.

If you don’t have enough time for a sit-down meal but still want to give them your business, ordering takeout is a win for both you and the business.

Take-outs also help keep the company’s delivery driver busy, and if you’re feeling generous, you can also tip them.

3. Buy Gift Cards

Gift cards are a popular way for businesses to generate additional business and are a better alternative to simply giving friends and family cash presents.

Gift cards are available for everything from boutique clothing to video games and tech accessories, so there’s great potential for interesting gift ideas.

They also encourage the recipient to visit a local shop and browse their other products, potentially generating additional revenue for the business.

2. Share Local Businesses On Social Media Platforms

We’ve touched on the importance of following small businesses on their social media pages to help them increase their online engagement with customers.

You can also use your own online platforms, such as Facebook, X, and Instagram Stories, to showcase what you love about their services.

Instagram and TikTok are beneficial for restaurants, bars, and other local businesses in the hospitality sector since they specialize in photos and videos.

The power of sharing content on social media shouldn’t be underestimated, and for small businesses, it can make the difference between success and failure.

1. Prioritize Local Businesses

Last but by no means least, it’s worth reiterating that putting local companies front and center when making consumer decisions is vital for implementing the other strategies in this article.

Whether you’re focused on supporting service businesses such as coffee shops and restaurants or buying clothes locally, this will help you to shop locally.

You can also encourage others to prioritize shopping locally by taking them with you on your next shopping expedition on the local high street.

Summary

Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat in a difficult economy, and showing your support can provide a lifeline that helps them maintain a revenue stream.

Putting into practice the ideas outlined in this guide isn’t difficult, and it will be as rewarding for you personally as it is for the businesses you help.

By encouraging small businesses to thrive through the discovery of new and loyal customers, the benefits will be felt throughout the community.