8 Simple Ways to Support Small Businesses

By Ring on March 12, 2024

Every time you buy a treat from a local bakery or take a class at the yoga studio down the street, you’re helping the entire community flourish. That’s because small businesses create jobs for your neighbors, pour money back into the local economy, and add unique character to the place you call home.

The past few years haven’t been easy for small businesses, but you and your neighbors can help by showing your support. Here are some easy ideas to give your local businesses a little love.

1. Shop Local

Before heading to a big box store for your next birthday gift or household purchase, consider whether you can get that item at an independent retailer nearby. You may be surprised at just how many things on your shopping list can be found at small businesses, from pantry staples to clothing.

If you don’t have the time to search stores for the perfect product (or if you prefer to do your shopping from the comfort of your couch), check if your local shops have online buying options. You can also filter your Amazon searches to only show products from small businesses, so you can support independent sellers from all over the country.

2. Show Your Love On Social Media

It doesn’t matter how many followers you have on social media — any online display of love can help make a digital impact on your favorite businesses. Simply following small brands, liking their posts, and sharing your love in the comments can help boost visibility, and it’s an easy way to support small businesses for free.

If you want to spread the word to your followers about hidden gems in your area, you can also post a picture of your haul and tag the business you bought it from. Your friends may decide to visit your go-to coffee shop to get an artfully crafted latte of their own or buy a few dresses from the boutique around the corner.

3. Buy Gift Cards

Giving a loved one a gift card is a win-win scenario for both the recipient and the small business you bought it from. A gift card allows your friends and family members to try out a new place at no cost to them — and it puts money right in your favorite small business’s pocket at the time of purchase.

Consider the recipient’s interests and hobbies when you choose a gift card. Your film-loving friend might enjoy a gift card to the local independent theater for their birthday, while your mom might appreciate a massage certificate for Mother’s Day. Chances are, you can find gift cards at all your favorite local spots, from coffee shops and restaurants to bookstores and yoga studios.

4. Leave Reviews

When you’re considering trying a new spot, a few detailed, glowing reviews can turn a “maybe” into a “must-try.” Adding your thoughts into the mix may help other prospective customers try your most-loved independent businesses.

Whether you had incredible service at a local restaurant or bought your new favorite pair of jeans from a small clothing store, let the world know in a review. Don’t forget to add details about what you loved, and consider adding pictures so others know what to expect. According to the Better Business Bureau, our honest review may help improve a company’s reputation and impact search results.

5. Recommend Your Favorites

You know your loved ones’ tastes better than almost anyone — which means your word-of-mouth recommendations carry more weight than online reviews or social media suggestions. So, if you find a shop or restaurant you know a friend or family member would love, let them know. You might introduce them to their new favorite spot, and you’ll always have a go-to for lunch dates or weekend shopping sessions.

Telling one person about a small business may not seem like much, but each person you tell may spread the word to their network. That means your recommendation could generate dozens of new loyal customers.

6. Try New Places

Once you find a place you love, it may be hard to branch out into unfamiliar territory. But if you see a new small business in your community, be sure to give them a try and welcome them to the neighborhood. You can also ask your friends and family members for recommendations if you haven’t tried something new in a while. A neighbor may have already tried the new place down the street and can tell you how it compares to other local spots.

7. Sign Up for Newsletters

If you’re already a fan of a particular business, signing up for their newsletter is an easy (and free!) way to get relevant updates and deals. Entering your email or address also shows the small business that you’re invested in their success and what they have to offer. To show their thanks, your favorite shop may let you in on an exclusive deal or send you a coupon to use the next time you’re in.

8. Help Create a Safer Community on the Neighbors App

Small businesses help build a sense of community and camaraderie in your neighborhood, along with you and the others who call it home. And together, you can help make your neighborhood safer and more connected.

The Neighbors App is a place for people and businesses to share relevant information about safety, community updates, and neighborly acts with a few taps. Something you see or capture on your video doorbell or security cameras could help small businesses nearby, and you can spread the word in real time from the comfort of your home. Posting an update or leaving a comment is an easy way for you and your neighbors to look out for each other and the small businesses around you. You can even post about your new favorite restaurant or shop to easily get the word out and share some neighborly love.

Download the Neighbors App to start connecting with neighbors and small businesses in your community.

Ring Helps Empower Small Businesses With Simple Security Solutions

At Ring, we’re a testament to how community support can transform a business — because we started with just a few employees working out of a garage. Without the people who believed in our vision, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

With Ring Business, we’re helping small business owners protect what they’ve built with flexible, convenient security solutions. Our DIY cameras and Alarm systems enable businesses to build the right system for their needs today and scale it as their operations grow.

We also offer two ways for business owners to get critical support around the clock. With a Ring Protect Pro subscription, sold separately, small businesses can enroll in 24/7 Alarm Professional Monitoring, and trained agents will monitor Alarm notifications and follow the appropriate emergency response plan. ^{2 3}Virtual Security Guard, also sold separately, extends that protection to camera notifications and allows security professionals to check Live View, use Two-Way Talk, and sound camera sirens to deter unwanted activity.^{4 5}

Explore Ring Business today to see how we help support small businesses around the country or get help from our experts to build a custom security solution for your business.

¹ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9577818/

² Ring Alarm and all Ring Alarm accessories require a subscription for in-app features and digital notifications, including digital arming / disarming and integration with other Ring, Echo, Alexa, and third party products. Subscription sold separately. View ring.com/protect-plans for pricing and details.

³ A compatible Ring Protect subscription is required to enroll in the Ring Alarm professional monitoring service. Professional monitoring service is available only within the U.S. (all 50 states, but not U.S. territories) and in Canada (excluding Quebec). Ring does not own its own professional monitoring center. Smoke and carbon monoxide monitoring is not available for a business or commercially zoned address. See Ring alarm licenses at: ring.com/licenses. Additional permit or false alarm fees may apply depending on your local jurisdiction. Additional charges may apply in areas that require permits or guard response service for alarm verification.

⁴ Virtual Security Guard is an add-on service that requires the following (each sold separately): subscription fee per enrolled location plus a compatible Ring Protect plan, Ring Alarm system, enrollment in Ring Alarm professional monitoring, and an eligible device. Rapid Response is the seller and provides the service and agents monitoring person detected motion events. Learn more.

⁵ Virtual Security Guard does not support Two-Way Talk for ONVIF-compatible cameras.