Fifteen practical ways to help independent shops, cafes and service businesses in your area, many of which cost nothing.
Quick answer: The best ways to support local businesses are to buy from them directly, leave honest online reviews, recommend them to friends, follow and share their social posts, buy gift cards, and order directly instead of through apps that charge high fees. Showing up for events such as Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 28, 2026, also helps. Even free actions, like a five-star review, can bring them new customers.
Local businesses give neighbourhoods their character. They employ local people, sponsor school teams and keep more money circulating in the community. But they compete with large chains and online giants that have far bigger budgets.
The good news is that supporting them does not always mean spending more. This guide shares 15 ideas, from simple free actions to ways to spend smarter, so your support makes a real difference.
In this article
- What are free ways to support local businesses?
- How can you spend in ways that help most?
- How can you support them through your community?
- How can you support local businesses online?
- Why does supporting local businesses matter?
- What should you avoid when trying to help?
- How can you keep supporting them all year?
- If you own a local business, how can you encourage support?
- Frequently asked questions
- Final thoughts
What are free ways to support local businesses?
- Leave an honest review: Google and other review sites are often the first thing new customers check. A detailed, positive review helps a lot.
- Follow and share their posts: Likes, comments and shares help small accounts reach more people.
- Recommend them by word of mouth: A personal recommendation is still one of the most trusted forms of marketing.
- Tag them in photos: Tagging a cafe or shop in your posts introduces it to your friends.
- Give useful feedback privately: If something goes wrong, tell the owner directly so they can fix it.
After a great meal at a family-run restaurant, Maya left a detailed Google review mentioning the dish she loved and the friendly staff. The owner later said several new customers had ordered that exact dish after reading her review.
How can you spend in ways that help most?
- Shop local first: Before ordering online, check whether a local shop sells what you need.
- Order directly: Delivery apps can take a large commission. Ordering by phone or through the business’s own website often lets it keep more.
- Buy gift cards: They give the business cash now, and make thoughtful gifts.
- Choose local services: Use independent plumbers, accountants, salons and repair shops.
- Pay with the method they prefer: Some small shops pay high card fees and appreciate cash or a particular payment method, though it is fine to ask.
Ask your favourite local restaurant which way of ordering helps them most. Many will tell you that picking up a phone order, instead of using a delivery app, saves them a significant share of the bill.
How can you support them through your community?
- Attend local events: Markets, pop-ups and open days help businesses meet new customers.
- Join Small Business Saturday: The SBA has cosponsored this day since 2011. In 2026, it falls on Saturday, November 28.
- Choose local for work purchases: If you buy for an employer, suggest local caterers, printers or suppliers.
- Hire local for events: Use local florists, bakers and photographers for parties and weddings.
- Join a local business network: Chambers of commerce and community groups help businesses support each other.
How can you support local businesses online?
Many local businesses now sell online too, and you can help them compete with large retailers from your phone.
- Buy from their website: If a local shop has an online store, order there instead of from a large marketplace.
- Subscribe to their newsletter: Email lists help small businesses reach customers without paying for ads.
- Save and share their posts: Saves and shares tell social platforms the content is useful.
- Answer questions in local groups: When someone asks for a recommendation, suggest a business you trust.
- Watch and comment on their videos: Engagement helps short videos reach more local viewers.
Why does supporting local businesses matter?
- Local jobs: Independent businesses employ people in your area and often train young workers.
- Community character: They give streets their unique feel, unlike identical chain stores.
- Local investment: Owners often sponsor local teams, charities and events.
- Personal service: Owners know their customers and can offer advice and flexibility.
The SBA notes there are more than 36 million independent businesses in the US, so collectively these choices add up.
A small hardware store survived a difficult year after neighbours started a “shop local first” group online, sharing what they needed and checking the store before ordering elsewhere. The owner kept all his staff through the slow season.
What should you avoid when trying to help?
- Asking for big discounts: Small businesses often run on thin margins, so steep discount requests can hurt them.
- Leaving vague reviews: A short, specific review is more helpful than a one-word rating.
- Posting complaints publicly first: Give the owner a chance to fix a problem before reviewing.
- Booking and not showing up: Missed appointments and reservations cost small businesses real money.
A small salon lost several hours of income each week from no-shows. When regular clients started cancelling ahead of time instead, the owner could fill those slots and keep her two stylists fully booked.
How can you keep supporting them all year?
One busy weekend helps, but steady support matters more. Small businesses often struggle in quiet months, such as January or late summer. Make a habit of buying from a few favourite local businesses every month, booking services in quieter periods when you can, and checking local shops first when you need gifts throughout the year.
If you own a local business, how can you encourage support?
Make it easy for customers to help you. Ask for reviews with a direct link, keep your Google Business Profile up to date, offer gift cards, and say thank you on social media when customers share your posts. Our guide to small business marketing ideas has more low-cost ideas, and you can read about the best small business ideas if you are thinking of starting one.
Pick one local business you like and leave it an honest, detailed review today. Mention a specific product or person. It takes two minutes and can bring them new customers for months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to support a local business?
Buy from them directly, leave honest reviews and recommend them to friends. Together, these bring both income and new customers.
How can I support local businesses for free?
Leave reviews, share their social media posts, tag them in photos and recommend them by word of mouth.
When is Small Business Saturday 2026?
Saturday, November 28, 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Do delivery apps hurt small restaurants?
They can take a large commission. Ordering directly often lets the restaurant keep more of your money.
Do gift cards help small businesses?
Yes. They give the business cash upfront and often bring in new customers when used.
Why should I shop local?
Local businesses create jobs, support community projects and give your area its character.
Final Thoughts
- Buy directly from local businesses whenever you can.
- Free actions like reviews and shares are surprisingly powerful.
- Order directly instead of through high-fee apps when possible.
- Join events such as Small Business Saturday on November 28, 2026.