As we’ve all heard many times over the last few days, we’re in unprecedented times for Australia, especially small businesses. Which is why it is important, now more than ever, to band together as a nation and work through this crisis.
If you’re in the position to do so, supporting small businesses is integral to the Australian economy. We’ve put together our simple guide on how to support other Australians during these tough times.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
5 Easy Ways to Support Australian Small Business
1. Get your outfits locally.
If you’re anything like me, you’re so grateful for online shopping right now! No need to social-distance yourself from your laptop on the couch now is there. By paying a little attention to where you shop online, you can also help Australian businesses too.
Most businesses will include where they were founded and operate from on their About Us page. When you see they operate from Australia, you know the money you spend is going to supporting Australian families, especially during these tough times.
2. Order take-out and dine in on the couch.
The Australian Government’s new restrictions no longer allow restaurants, bars and food establishments to allow dine-in eating. However, it doesn’t mean they need to close.
In an attempt to save small businesses in Australia and those working for them, cafés and restaurants are allowed to offer take-away for their customers. So, the good news, there is no need to go without your favourite pad thai or pasta!
Most food establishments offering take-away will have a menu available on their website or social media pages. However, take note of any ordering requests, such as ordering and paying by phone, drive-up pick-up or the number of people allowed in the restaurant at any one time.
3. Gift cards for everyone!
Right now, it can be tricky to first think of, and then secondly, source gifts right now. Consider a gift-card! Gift cards are great, and with the recently updated regulations many don’t have an expiration date.
Buying a gift card as a gift for your loved one is one of the best ways to support small business. It provides them with an income, even if you don’t purchase any products right then and there. Most online Australian clothing stores offer gift-card purchases online and even come in super cute wrapping, so you don’t have to wrap it yourself — bonus!
4. Switch that gym membership for online classes.
With gyms being officially closed until further notice, there has never been a better time to invest in home workout solutions. Home workouts can be just as effective and often require little to no equipment or space.
Many Australian personal trainers offer online fitness programs, usually on a subscription basis. There are so many out there to choose from we can guarantee there is one for everyone. Some consist of home workout videos, some live-stream and even a few app-based programs. Whichever you choose, just insure it’s an Australian small business!
5. Like, follow, comment and share your local small business!
This isn’t something you’ll hear often, but it’s time to get on your social media — to support your favourite local small business, of course. Whether it’s your local café, clothing store or service provider, there has never been a more important time to show your support online.
If you get take-away from your local, take that Instagram-worthy shot, post it and tag the business. Loving your new work from home wardrobe (AKA pyjamas)? Leave the label a Localsearch review and comment on their latest Facebook post. Has your favourite restaurant done a brilliant job at converting their dine-in menu to takeaway? Share the menu to your Facebook page!
It may not seem like you’re doing a lot, but you are. Put simply, when you share, like, tag or comment, it generates more eyes on that small business, which in turn leads to more customers.
There has never been a more important time for us to support our fellow Australians, and there are plenty of ways to achieve this without breaching our social-distancing recommendations.
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