There a literally millions of businesses out there all competing for customers. The large enterprises which have seemingly endless funds to throw at marketing are the ones that get the most attention, but it is SO important that you support your local small businesses.
Right: The husband and wife team that own Aluminium Plus - Shane and Mel Spehr
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider buying from small businesses:
1. They Care!
Did you ever stop to consider that when you buy from a large enterprise online, you are just an online statistic and order which has to be fulfilled and then you will most likely be forgotten. When you buy from a small business, your purchase – no matter how big or small – means a great deal. This means that you are much more likely to receive a more personal, caring service and get more value for your money.
2. Small Businesses Usually Offer more flexibility
Prices in large enterprises are usually set at a national or global level and your budget, or needs, simply don’t come into it. When you buy from a small business, the business owner can adapt services or products to suit your specific budget or needs because they are not controlled by anyone else. This means that instead of you buying something that was bought in bulk and you have to try and fit "a square peg in a round hole", you're more likely to get a much better product that suits your specific needs.
3. It Boosts the Local Economy
Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every $2 spent with a small or medium-sized business, $1.20 stayed in the local economy, compared to $0.80 with a larger business.
When you buy local, you’re helping to boost employment and income in the community as well as helping to increase tax for local governments and create a loyal customer base for businesses.
4. You Actually Know Who You’re Buying From
Small Business owners live and breathe for their business and take the time to look after their customers. This means that you often deal directly with the business owner themselves and can get to build a relationship with them and get advice and recommendations when needed.
5. You’ll Receive the Best Service!
Large organisations with an abundance of customers often don’t care about the service, as long as a sale has been made and the statistics look good. However, small businesses rely on word of mouth. They fully understand that they need to provide the best service possible in order to be recommended to others which means they will go out of their way to make sure that you are happy with their products/services.
In addition to this, they also fully understand how hard it is to run a small business, and that your working hours will not be restricted to 9am-5pm. Small businesses are more likely to be on hand to help you when you need them.
Above: Shane, Mel and their two kids at the 2022 Royal Adelaide Show. Owning and operating Aluminium Plus is a true family affair, and the kids can often be seen after school in the AP office.
How You Can Support Small Businesses?
It’s tough being a small business owner. Once you’ve made the scary jump from being an employee to an entrepreneur to try to make a better life for your family, you get judged! If you tell people that you work from home, some assume that means you do nothing all day (I kid you not), when the truth is that you actually work so many more hours than you ever did as an employee.
Support small businesses any way you can. Share their social media posts, leave positive reviews on their Facebook and Google pages and recommend them to anyone you can. Every little thing you do to help means a great deal to that small business owner.
Article originally written on 25/08/2018 by Elaine Parker for Exaltis UK - https://exaltis.uk/5-reasons-why-you-should-buy-from-a-small-business/