Recently, while looking up a friend’s address on Google Maps, I came across a streetwear store called 0511 Clothing. It caught my eye because it had only 5-star reviews, but all the photos were from 2019. I made a plan to go there, check it out, and add fresh photos on Google Maps that would show others what to expect there.
When I entered the store, I was pleasantly surprised by the high-quality clothes, hats, and other merchandise inside. I talked to the owner, who shared that during the times when the place is closed due to local regulations, he relies on online purchases. The store has a website that presents its eco-friendly clothing brand and gives customers the opportunity to order from home. When I heard that, I suggested he updated the attributes of his business on Maps to reflect that there’s not only in-store shopping available but delivery as well. That’s one way to take your map editing to the next level.
But what about the times when the shop was open? How did they stay in business? It turned out that the two-floor space was also used for holding exhibitions. In fact, while I was in the store, the owner was talking to another person about an upcoming art exhibition that would observe all health measures in place. The purpose of the event would be to popularize the store among young people and introduce a new line of clothing by a brand sold there, called 7.7.5.
I hadn’t heard of that brand before, so I tried on a few T-shirts. Curious to learn how the brand owner supported his business during the pandemic, I asked him a few questions. He was excited to share that the situation motivated him to create his own website. That was a big step for the development of his brand because it meant he didn’t have to rely solely on social media and physical shops to showcase the clothes.
Talking to the owners made me realize that even in difficult times, positive people can find inspiration to make the best out of a bad situation. I gained points for my contributions on Maps, but what brought me real joy is knowing that my small action could help the business in need.
Is there a business in your area that you have supported recently? Let us know in the comments below.
Amazing @Bobiisha . You did a great job supporting that small business. I like the idea of arranging exhibition in the open space of that business. It definitely helped the owner to get some instant custmoer customer there. Your advice to update the information to the maps and making a website for the store will definitely help the store owner to get more customers in the future. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us. Stay safe.
Thank you for the nice words, @MukulR . The exhibition was a great success indeed and I think it was a smart idea to hold it in order to popularize the shop.
That’s often a point discussed during the virtual meets up for helping small businesses around that the places nearby do not have much reviews or updated photos or lack basic information.
We do not need to go to far places or new places everytime just zoom in and look around where we need to update things and contributing helps them
Currently I am contributing more towards answers and Check facts for nearby place as I am visiting there frequently.
Apart from that I always make use to add pictures and reviews of new place if it is not possible to take a picture due to crowd I at least make sure to review them.
I added a place called Samosa express which I discovered during my food Crawl meet up, it took time to create the place but as soon as it was approved I reviewed and added the menu of the place I hope it helps people staying nearby to discover it which will help the business too.
This soda pub [Jai Shree Radhe Soda Pub ](http://Jai Shree Radhe Soda Pub 099205 71894 https://maps.app.goo.gl/T7aCa7AQ3rHrbxtR6)is locally popular in the area as the whole street consists of fast food corners people usually visit her to grab soda or floats
I was surprised there were less reviews and no proper pictures, I added the photo and review instantly.
Also I would like to add a note
It doesn’t matter if we are the first person to review / add photo of a place, our first contribution motivates others to contribute
Wow! Thanks, @Bobiisha for sharing this with all of us.
Supporting local businesses is something which is badly needed for them after the pandemic. Your idea with the shop owner will really help the business to grow more.
There is a lot that we can do for helping a Local Business, and to motivate them, @Bobiisha , and what you wrote here is also motivating us to explore more ways.
Time by time my feeling is that Google My Business is seen as a competitor of the Local Guides, not an opportunity for us to help a Local Business more.
On the calm period between phase 1 and phase 2 I reopened a huge amount of “temporary closed” businesses and, when possible, I wanted to talk a few minutes with them.
The common feeling was: “Google closed our business following the Italian Law, why now my business has not been reopened, following the indication of the new Law?”. I invited them to walk with me in the corridor of the mall, to count the activities not opened yet, not because of the law, but for a lot of different reasons, like the time needed to adapt the shop to the new indications. One of them said “I am a Local Guide too, why I am not able to re-open my own business?”. Is your shop not in Google My Business? was my question, and the questioning face of the owner, the answer.
I showed them how to claim the business, and the new response was a smile.
The shop next door had just opened. I inserted it in Google Maps together with them, and I made them choose the photo to upload (normally I only upload one photo of the storefront, when I create a new POI). 10 minutes later the shop was in Maps, even if visible only to me, with the link from the email.
The surprise was … wow… . Next step was to show them the “claim the business” button.
Recently, I visited Jos, Nigeria and I came across this Church, yet, there was no photo of it anywhere on Maps, I began to wonder. Then, my friend related to me that the Church had been bombed! But, in its new glory and beauty no one in the outside world knew what it looked like. So, I told my friend I was going there and she almost swore and begged with everything she had.
I kept thinking; “how will I walk into a place just to take photos and get bombed?” Eventually, I did and this was the result;
See, @Bobiisha it’s a big deal for a woman to be a Cosmetics Manufacturer in Nigeria! Some women are , right?!
We have the; Zaron, Tara and the likes of them but seeing this woman starting up and in a place such as Trade Fair with cut-throat competition and high incidences of Piracy was a bold move!
So, I approached her and told her I wanted to add her Business to Maps and she asked me; “is it free?” And I responded; “Yes it is”.
She could not hide her excitement! Another person had approached her before me and told her she was going to pay him 50,000 naira.
I completed the task, then she ran after me and gave me a Body Mist and I said; “oh No! It’s free!” She wouldn’t budge, she pleaded with me as she thanked me profusely and thrust the Body Mist in my hand.
The Body Mist sits in my Closet today like a Trophy reminding me of this woman Entrepreneur.
P.S. - I have many many stories, I could fill up this comment section to at least 300 but I never share them here because;
"I support Businesses because I am a Business owner myself and I know just how it feels when the Verification tag from Google My Business helps prove to prospective Clients that ai have a genuine business and a Verified business Location and how it makes me get International clients’ patronage .So, I just feel like talking about these is like showing off myself which is not the same for someone who does not run a business, maybe I need to change my mindset and stop seeing it this way".
Thank you for your kind word and for the great examples you’ve shared on how you can support a small business. It is really amazing indeed how Local Guides find ways to contribute even without going out during the current situation. And yes, it doesn’t matter if you are the first one to write a comment or post a photos, as this really inspires others to follow these steps and contribute as well.
Thanks for sharing this post, awesome. As I cannot move out so I tried to help small businesses by helping them to upload there business on My business app … This will help them to get business.
@Bobiisha You did great support which is inspiring and motivating us a lot. Recently I have visited a traditional handy craft shop and exhibition centre where I want to support via sharing my experience with this community.
I appreciate your comment and I must say I understand your feeling about Google My Business, but I believe they are a big part of the ‘‘supporting small businesses’’ idea. It’s also great how owners of business are happy with you helping them and show gratitude. As far as I’m concerned this is one of my favorite parts when it comes to being a Local Guide and helping others.
Thank you for sharing your stories this time, @Ewaade_3A ! I believe these are all great and inspirational examples for others and should be shared with the community.
Thank you for the great comments, @ShafiulB , @AdamGT , @RosyKohli and @PritishB ! I really appreciate it and your words have a great positive impact on my day!
I am perfectly fine with GMB, @Bobiisha , and I always push the businesses to join, because through GMB they can better interact with the customers, publish update, create their own mini-website for free.
I like to shop in places where the staff are friendly, and where we eventually become friends, greet each other and exchange opinions. For many of them my photos are a benchmark tool, to understand how many people have visited their listing. “Hey, how many views of my shop window?” is one of the most common questions when they see me, even if I am not shopping there. This also happens for stores that are part of chains, as the GMB card is managed by the group, not directly by them.
In the mall where I am used to shopping it is forbidden to take pictures. However, after the overseers figured out what I’m doing, specifically updating the images related to the new Covid-related signage, they started calling me to report the changes to be added in Maps.
@Bobiisha
There are many things we can do to help small businesses. well done on the article. this is so important.
There is no doubt that your support is very significant.
Thank you for your comment, @Niv1234 . I also believe it is very important to show our support to those business owners right now. Your recent post is a great example of that, as well!
!
reminding me of this woman Entrepreneur.
.So, I just feel like talking about these is like showing off myself which is not the same for someone who does not run a business, maybe I need to change my mindset and stop seeing it this way".
