Support Local Businesses This Holiday Season

At GSB, supporting local businesses is central to who we are as a community bank. With the busy shopping season upon us, we’re here to remind you to spend local!  

Of course, checking out your local shops before you click that “Add to Cart” button online is important. What better way to show a small business support than with your hard-earned cash? Aside from that, we wanted to share a few other less obvious ways you can support local businesses this holiday season. 

Leave Google or Yelp Reviews

It may feel like small potatoes to you, but leaving positive reviews for your favorite small business helps them out A LOT. Not only does it bring a smile to their faces, but it improves the reputation of the business online. It will increase the store’s ranking on Google, making it more visible to potential customers when they search online. Plus, research has shown that consumers are more likely to buy from a store with strong online reviews. It’s basically free marketing for them from you!

Engage on Social Media

Just like reviews, engaging with your favorite businesses on social media will make the credibility of that business stronger. Your social connections may be more inclined to check out the shop if they see your positive engagement. Tag the business when you post a pic of your new purchase or share sale announcements. Make it fun, merry and bright!

Try Experiences Instead of Goods

When giving gifts, experiences can be a break from the usual socks or candle gift habit. And they’re even more appreciated: research shows that experience gifts are better than material gifts. 

So think a little outside the box. Is there a restaurant your significant other has been wanting to try? Did your grandma mention she used to love bowling? Maybe your guitar-playing brother would like tickets to a concert? The best part of experience gifts is that you can support local businesses with the extra gift of some quality time with your loved ones. 

Give Local, Too

It’s a big time for shopping, but it’s also a big time for charitable giving. This year, look to your local community before sending funds to a national or global non-profit. They need just as much support as our local small businesses. Involving the kids in the conversation can be a great lesson about community. And if you don’t have extra dollars but do have extra hours, volunteer your time instead!

Text your mom, DM your bestie, or shout it from the rooftops! However you want to share your recommendations, local businesses will be so grateful.

If you need more excuses to spend local this holiday season, read this GSB blog post that shares our top 5 reasons to shop local and the impact it can have on your life and the life of your neighbors.