5 ways to support local businesses during the Covid-19 crisis

Times are tough, and most of us are still grappling with the devastating consequences of this widespread pandemic. With so many countries going into lockdown and the public encouraged to stay at home, small businesses have taken a huge hit.

And unlike larger companies, these local businesses tend to lack the funds to sustain themselves for more than a few months without any customers.

While measures have been put in place by governments to help lessen the economic impact of this health crisis, they're far from sufficient to completely free them of their worries - and that's where you come in!

Here are 5 ways you can help out your local small business during these trying times.

Buy vouchers

With sales at an all-time low, small business owners are struggling to cover expenses like rent and payroll.

Purchasing gift vouchers - for instance, on Chope and Save in Singapore, can help to inject cash into the business that can be used immediately to temporarily buffer the impact of the crisis.

You won't be losing out either, as you can always exchange your vouchers for store merchandise in the future once everything returns to normal. And it will!

Shop local

Instead of stocking up on essentials from your nearest major supermarket chain, how about purchasing them from a smaller, independent seller? This includes buying vegetables from local farms and freshly baked goods from neighbourhood bakeries, amongst others.

Don't worry if you can't personally head down, as many of these businesses also have online platforms that you can easily shop from. Check out e-sg Farmers' Market on Redmart which delivers fresh organic produce from multiple local farms in Singapore to your doorstep.

Order in

The aviation industry aside, F&B has taken the biggest blow with fewer people patronising restaurants, cafes, and bars - some of these places have even been forced to shut down by local governments.

Even if you're worried about dining out or stuck at home on quarantine, make it a point to order from these place in a while.

Many of them have partnered up with delivery services like Grab and Deliveroo, or are offering delivery services on their own websites so you can enjoy your favourite dishes and tipples from the safety of your home, supporting the economy at the same time.

Don't forget to tip your delivery rider!

ALSO READ: 3 ways the Singapore government will help small businesses by investing in technology

Offer your guidance

Online platforms are the saving grace for many small business owners, serving as the only channel for them to reach out to their consumers now.

However, not all of them might know how to kick start their business online, especially if they aren't aren't from the tech-savvy generation. Now's the time to reach out and offer your expertise - be it in web design or marketing - to assist them with the transition from a physical to online.

Apart from tech guidance, sharing financial advice or simply brainstorming ideas on alternative business models could be of great help to these smaller players. You wouldn't want to see your favourite mom-and-pop shop close down for good, would you?

Like, share, subscribe

Not all of us can afford to extend financial aid as our own wallets may be feeling the pinch, but we can still harness the power of social media to spread some positivity in our feeds.

Give your local businesses a shout out so that they can gain more exposure. And while you're at it, why not leave a positive review on their page too?

As insignificant it may seem, these reviews can be instrumental in boosting these small businesses' search engine rankings. A little goes a long away.

More importantly, let them know that they're not in this alone. Keep unity in the face of adversity and this too shall pass!

For the latest updates on the coronavirus, visit here.

This article was first published in City Nomads.