We all know the importance of supporting local businesses, after all small businesses (SMEs) make up 99 per cent of our economy. However, it has never been more important to shop small 2020. This year has been particularly challenging for everyone, especially small business owners.

The good news is that there's plenty of ways you can support small businesses, from showing your support and leaving feedback, to choosing to shop small online.

What is Small Business Saturday?

Taking place annually, Small Business Saturday takes place this year on Saturday 5 December 2020. It is a community event encouraging shoppers to buy goods from independent retailers and businesses, like ours. You can also lend your support, by sharing the message to shop small and by leaving positive feedback for small businesses on Google, Etsy, Amazon and elsewhere.

Six ways you can support small businesses in 2020

1. Shop Small 2020 Christmas

Visit your local high-street and support the independent gift shops and retailers. It's never too late to get a little something to use as a stocking filler or for your Chrismtas Eve Box. Every sale counts and makes a difference.

You can also shop small online. We are one of many small businesses that has a website you can shop. You can find many others on social media using the hashtag #campaignshopindependent.

2. You can Still Shop Small online

You may be surprised to know that a number of small business (ourselves included) are on Amazon too. In fact, the online marketplace has been a HUGE supporter of ours and really helped us this year with their Accellerator programme.

If you haven't heard of Amazon Launchpad, let us enlighten you! The sub-website of Amazon is dedicated to the 'brightest start-ups' and innovators. We are extremely proud to have our product showcased on Amazon Launchpad, and feature on their homepage throughout December.

3. Attend the Gifted Small Business Market Online

This weekend is Small Business Saturday - the perfect excuse to shop small. Be sure to sign-up for the FREE small business market 'GIFTED' this weekend. Hosted by Enterprise Nation, it brings together the best of the small community, many with discounts on the day.

Open from 11am until 6pm on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th december, get a free ticket now at: http://bit.ly/giftedbyEN 

PS: We are there, come say a virtual hello!

4. Follow Small Business Supporters

There's plenty of communities out there supporting start-ups, two of the best that have supported us include: Holly Tucker (follow @hollytucker) from NOTHS and Holly & Co. The other is Theo Paphitis and his amazing Small Business Sunday event, which we won a few weeks ago. Follow #SBS on Twitter along with @thesbs_crew

5. Leave Feedback

You've seen the Google TV advert, and it's spot on. Leaving a google review for a small business, can mean so much to them. So, even if you can't financially support your local high-street, you can always do good by leaving a positive review. That also applies to Amazon, Etsy and other market places you buy on. Wherever you can, please try and leave a positive review, as a small business owner, I can tell you it means the world to read them, thank you!

6. Share, Share, Share!

And finally, share, share, share! If you love a small business, know a small business, or want to support a small business online, share their existence with your friends. Here's how:

• Tweet about them to your followers (no matter how small)
• Share a post from the small business in your Instagram feed or Stories
• LIKE their Facebook page and share it with your friends
• Sign up to their website newsletter
• Tell a friend, be it through email, WhatsApp or good old fashioned text!

Thank you again for supporting small businesses, it means a lot to all of us.