Small businesses can have a large impact on the community and vice versa. There are some creative ways a business can help out their surrounding areas. Today, we will discuss some great ways your small business can give back to the local community.
Donate products or services. No matter what type of business you are in, your services could be beneficial to your community. There are so many non-profits and charities which depend solely on donations that would graciously appreciate your help. For example, if you are in the food or beverage industry, food pantries, churches, and shelters are an excellent way to give back. If you sell retail items, those can always be used for needy families. If you provide a service, such as remodeling or lawn care, you may consider donating your time to low-income families.
Set up a collection jar
This can easily be done by picking a charity or local family in need. Set the collection jar where your customers can easily see it with a description and your goals. You can also match the donations dollar for dollar if you like.
Holiday food drives
This is the perfect way to help out local families during the holidays. You can ask your employees and customers to bring in non-perishable food items. Offering some type of incentive for the person or employee that brings in the most will help grow your collection.
Sponsor a local youth sports team. Sponsoring a team is a win-win. Not only are you helping the kids, which are a great feeling, but you are also receiving an advertisement in return.
Volunteer. You and your employees can donate your time at various events throughout the year. Soup kitchens, roadside cleanup, Habitat for Humanity and disaster relief are a few suggestions.
Related: How Small Businesses Can Use Mobile Search Marketing.
Host a fundraising event
Allowing your business to be the location for fundraisers like car washes, bake sales and rummage sales can be very beneficial to groups who are trying to raise money.
Support local businesses
One of the best ways you can help your community is by buying locally whenever possible to do your part in keeping the local economy flourishing. This can be done by recommending other non-competition small businesses in the area to your customers. You can do this by word of mouth, or by allowing them to advertise at your location or on your website.
Set up a scholarship fund
This is an excellent way to help out local high school students and their families. You can select the requirements, amount and accept applications yourself, or allow an outside source to handle it for you.
Offer your skills. As a leader in the community, your skills are of value to someone out there. Offering your time to mentor someone, or a speaking appearance for career day at a local school is a few ways you can do this.
Collect and distribute holiday gifts to local families
Charities like Toys for Tots and Operation Angel Tree need all the donations they can get during the holidays for local families. You can collect unwrapped gifts or monetary contributions. This can be done in conjunction with a food drive.
Related: Best Use of Mobile Technology for Small Businesses.
Donate to your local conservation fund
Preservation of natural resources is a primary concern in all areas of the world. Many organizations work to protect land, water, wildlife and natural energy sources. This is a great way to give back and preserve your area for future generations.
Support your local chapters of medical research, medical charities, or social services. Countless wonderful organizations need your support. Cancer research, children’s hospitals, veteran’s affairs, Meals on Wheels and Child Protective Services are all excellent foundations where you can pay it forward.
Owning a small business can be a challenge
In the current day and age, it is crucial for businesses to have a profound grasp over the internet and how to use it for marketing purposes. If you are not present on the internet and a handful of social media sites, then you run the risk of losing out on a significant number of potential customers. In fact, you have to go a bit further than simply being present online. Having a website is good, but having a site designed by a professional website builder like Web.com is even better.
Many businesses have a website out there on the web. Unfortunately, a lot of these sites are bad. Whether they are difficult to navigate, have annoying music constantly playing, or are a mess to look at, some websites can wind up deterring clients. Instead of putting something out there just because you know you should, it will be much more advantageous for you to reach out and find someone to design an exceptional site for you. There are many reasons to make this choice for the future of your small business.
Related: 8 Results Driven Budgeting Tips Small Business Can’t Ignore.
Look Official
While there is a bit of validity to the adage, you can’t judge a book by its cover most people make snap judgments based on appearances. This is incredibly true when it comes to a website. If someone is trying to look up your business and find your current website, you want them to know that they are on your official website. When a site looks like it was thrown together, potential customers might feel as if you lack the professionalism of which they are in need. Allowing an expert to work on your site can change this dramatically.
The websites are not easy to design, even though there are many tools out there that can help you to make an attempt on your own. You need to have some idea of what looks good in order to come up with something halfway decent. Many designers spend years in school working on their craft and coming up with acceptable and exciting ways of presenting a business to consumers. Do some research and find examples of the work that builders have out there and you’ll be able to get a feel for what can be done for your business.
Financially Wise
Another reason for you to work alongside a professional builder for your company’s website is to make more money. You may be looking for this service as an expense that you are not able to fully afford, but you have to think about what an investment it is. By hiring a pro to design your site, you will be able to bring in more customers. The more people interested in your business and what you’re selling, the more likely it is that you will be able to make more money and grow your company in a healthy way.
Final Words
There are several reasons for you to think about using a professional builder for the website of your business. Find the right candidate for the job and get started on a journey that will help you to improve the way your business appears to the public.
These are just a few suggestions for ways your business can help your local community. There are endless opportunities out there to give back; you can’t go wrong when lending a helping hand.
