Hello local Guides
hope you all are healthy and safe ?
Inspired by Recent Announcement post about small shops on staycation and Helping Pizza places around us I would like to share how I like to Help the small businesses in my neighborhood
They are the provider of daily essentials and services and also they have many unique things to offer (example : handicraft shops, fusion food restaurants, theme based cafe)
we concentrate so much on visiting famous places, we tend to forget the places around us so let us share some love for our favorite small business and thank them with our contributions.
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Mapping business -
I looked around for shops on maps and noticed many small vendors and new shops are not listed on maps so the first thing is to add them to maps by using place creation option on maps.
Be first one to contribute -
Visited a new shop or a one which you usually visit but the place has no reviews ?
be the first one to add the review, this is help people to get more Idea about the place and in turn also help the owner.
Online orders -
Look around for restaurants and food outlets offering online ordering option or selling gift cards, purchase them or add pictures of the food you ordered or your experience with online service they offered.
this time I noticed many restaurants which are far from my home have started taking online orders and provide delivery you can add pictures of the food and review their services too.
Recent updates -
Add the recent updates and store front images which consists of COVID measure and precautions. This will help people to know if the shops are open and allowing in store shopping or offering pick up for online orders.
If it is a restaurant and they have opened for dine in (some at half capacity, some at 40% capacity)
Add missing information -
Add the missing information like phone numbers, hours, website etc so people can get correct information
you can also add images of updated hours.
Make a list -
Lists are great way to share some of your favorite places with people in same location, many featured list consists of amazing places to eat and things to do.
Usually they are unique and special for that particular area/location/city.
as we are having festival season soon, we need things like decor, groceries and gifts for our celebration make a list of amazing shops near you who sell festival special sweets / have good decor products or gift shops near you.
Be kind and share your feedback with the owners this will help them to do better
Also check for feedback responses and see the smiles you spread with your Contributions.
Nice post, @FalguniP . These are good ways to support small shops and other places. I do the same. After adding places or posting photos and reviews, I noticed lots of views of those contributions. It it can be helpful for the customers as well.
That’s nicely and detailed written post @FalguniP . You are Local Business Helper Champion. I think like Accessibility Champion this also must be implemented, I will nominate you first for Local Business Helper Champion. Really appreciate the efforts taken to enhance local business. You efforts must be helping them which is great. Thanks for sharing with us.
That’s really very helpful @FalguniP i can so relate to that point where the basic shops are not listed on maps and have no ratings or reviews. So, i helped few shopkeepers to let them add their business on maps and then review them. Glad that you shared many more options with us.
That’s a perfectly presented post. All points well covered, providing detailed information of how to add a new place, reviewing places that are yet to be reviewed. Big love to you for sharing such amazing post about Local businesses.
it would be amazing if you could join and share about your favourite local shops that you love
@rajuroyal Thank you I am glad you found the post helpful and would love to read yours too.
@Shreeya_99 yes Shreeya the thing is usually we search for place on different location but this pandemic made us frequently search for places nearby and that’s when we realized they are not listed or do not have proper information.
As we still continue with restriction it is very important to update information which can help others
@FalguniP , Great article as always. it’s great you are out there supporting the small business around your community. Big applause. Keep up your good work. Keep safe. Let’s guide
. Excellent way to help small businesses. 
very well explain,
