Tips to Support Local Business

If there is one thing that I love to do it is to support local business whenever I can. Being a small business owner myself, I understand how difficult it can be to compete with the big guys out there. I under stand that we need to save money whenever and wherever we can. But If I am able and can make a choice between shopping at a larger retailer and choosing a small local business, trust me when I say, I choose the smaller guy.

There are many reasons for this. Not only do I get individual service and attention, but the quality of goods is much better too. Plus I know that I am making a difference in a small business owners life.

So how can you support a small business? Here are some tips you can use.

* Start Researching – One of the things I do is to find local services that I know I will need or can use. Whether it is a local butcher or an egg farmer, I start making lists of business services.

* Price Comparison – Sometimes you will pay a bit more for a local good or service, but I know that I am supporting and helping a family directly, not a big corporation. But that does not mean that I don’t do some price comparisons between the local businesses too. I do like to save money where I can.

* Unique and Specialty Items – Shopping for unique and specialty items will allow you to support a small business over a corporation more often than not. The cheese maker and the local farmer that sets up at the Farmer’s Market come to mind. Also the computer repair guy and the local baker are on my go to list. There are so many more shops in my town that I can use over a larger business.

* Barter or Trade – if you have your own small business, why not look for those that would barter or trade with you? I did that not long ago and I got to enjoy some awesome products and they got my services in exchange. We both won!

* Make it a Habit – Sometimes it is hard to make a special trip for the items you need when you can grab them at the big box chain stores. But if you make it a habit to visit your local merchant on certain days of the month, then you can plan your purchases and manage your time too. Stock up where you can so stretch your visits.

Supporting local businesses does not have to be hard or more expensive. It just takes a bit of planning. How do you like to support your favorite local business?