When I think of Small Business Saturday, I think of the town I grew up in, where the one main street is lined with small shops for toys, clothes, skincare, art studios and, frankly, an array of real estate offices.
The intent of the named shopping day is to encourage shoppers to support local businesses in this season of shopping and giving.
Amid the heralded deals and hype for large retailers around this holiday weekend, there are so many more ways to shop small for Small Business Saturday and every other day – especially with so many online platforms that support different kinds of small businesses and entrepreneurs depending what you’re looking to shop for including handmade items and more.
Check out these easy ways to shop online and support small businesses. We no longer need to attend an art fair or marketplace to find crafty gifts for those we love, especially those items with a personalized touch.
Platforms like Etsy are making shopping from independent craftspeople easy through smart phone applications and online. It’s easy to fall into an Etsy-rabbit hole going through customizable jewelry, home decor and more – you can find pretty much anything on Etsy – and some sellers are participating in a “Cyber Sales Event” at the end of the year with up to 60% off goods (varying by seller). Amazon is also finding its footing in the handmade sales space with Amazon Handmade, a part of its platform meant for creators to sell their goods. Some vendors even align with Amazon features such as Prime shipping.
“We obsess over customers and their desire for a trusted destination for handcrafted goods, which is what prompted us to start Handmade,” Amazon says on its website, noting artisans from 80 countries are selling their goods on the platform. If you’re always on the hunt for a newly launched business to check out, Amazon’s Amazon Launchpad, which started in 2015, might be a good place to start on Small Business Saturday.
The Launchpad is meant to support new businesses as they seek to overcome challenges while launching with help like expert advice, visibility and more, also providing opportunity for shoppers to find unique items from smaller brands.
