12 Best Ways to Support Local Businesses in Canada

Supporting a local business means choosing to direct some of your spending, attention and network toward the people building companies close to home. The hair salon around the corner, the electrician who upgraded your electrical panel, the caterer from your last office party, the landscaper who works for herself: behind each one is someone who took the leap and helps keep their neighbourhood alive, one client at a time.

Shopping local matters, but it is not the only way to help. There are practical ways to support local businesses even when your budget is limited. Here are twelve meaningful actions, plus guidance for entrepreneurs who want to make their own business easier to discover, recommend and support.

Why support local businesses?

Small businesses create jobs, meet specific needs and give your neighbourhood and region their character. When you do business with one of them, your money doesn't stop there: they often buy from other nearby suppliers and reinvest part of their revenue in the community where you live.

Supporting a local business also means enjoying a more personal experience. You often deal directly with the person who makes the product, does the work or makes the decisions. If something needs adjusting, you know exactly who to talk to. That closeness builds trust and lasting relationships.

That said, no one is asking you to buy local at all costs. Your budget, your timelines, quality and accessibility matter too. The idea is simply to consider local options when they truly meet your needs.

12 practical ways to support local businesses

1. Buy directly from the business

When a business has its own website, store or booking system, purchasing directly lets it keep everything you pay, with no commission going to a platform.

Before ordering elsewhere, check whether the business offers online sales, pickup or local delivery. For professional services, ask how to book or request a quote directly.

2. Leave a specific and honest review

A useful review says more than “five stars.” Explain what you purchased, what stood out and who might benefit from the business. Those details help future customers make decisions and can strengthen the company's credibility in local search results.

Leave your review where customers are looking: on Google, on a specialized platform or directly on the business's profile.

3. Refer the business to the right person

A personal recommendation can become a loyal customer. If someone you know needs an accountant, caterer, designer, retailer or service you trust, make a concrete introduction instead of offering a vague suggestion.

Send the exact link, explain why the business fits the need and, with everyone's permission, introduce the two parties directly.

4. Share its content with context

A social share is more valuable when you add a personal note. Explain what you liked, describe your experience or tell your network why the offer may be relevant.

You can also save a post, leave a thoughtful comment, tag someone who would genuinely benefit or share it in an appropriate local group. Avoid automatic promotion without context, which rarely creates meaningful engagement.

5. Join the business's email list

Social platforms control how many followers see a post. An email list gives a business a direct way to share products, events and updates with its audience.

Opening relevant messages, clicking useful offers and answering occasional surveys can also provide valuable feedback without requiring a purchase.

6. Choose pickup when it is practical

In-store or curbside pickup can reduce shipping costs and logistical work. You may receive the order sooner and discover other products when you arrive.

Pickup will not work for every customer. If you need delivery, combining purchases or choosing a less urgent option may still make fulfilment easier for the business.

7. Buy a gift card or give an experience

A gift card is the perfect solution when you're not quite sure what to give. But it does more than save the day: it gets someone to walk into a business they might never have discovered otherwise, whether it's the local restaurant, the neighbourhood bakery or the beauty salon that just opened.

Giving an experience is another great way to support local: a pottery workshop, a cooking class, a massage therapy session, a tasting at a nearby microbrewery. Before buying, simply check the terms of use and booking conditions.

8. Think local for business purchases

Companies also purchase services, gifts, meals, printing, furniture and supplies. Even a partial local procurement policy can make a meaningful difference.

Start with one category, such as employee gifts, photography, catering, maintenance, translation or events. Compare providers on quality, price, capacity and timing, then build lasting relationships with the ones that perform well.

9. Pay invoices on time

For a small company or independent professional, late payments can create serious cash-flow pressure. Paying according to the agreed terms is a direct and practical way to support the business.

If a problem occurs, communicate early. A clear conversation is better than silence, especially when the professional relationship needs to continue.

10. Give useful private feedback

A local business cannot improve a problem it does not know about. When an issue is disappointing but does not justify an immediate harsh public review, give the company a reasonable opportunity to understand and address it.

Good feedback describes the problem, its impact and the desired outcome. Stay factual and respectful. If the company resolves the situation well, you can mention that response in a later review.

11. Attend local events and initiatives

Markets, pop-ups, fairs, launches, workshops and business associations help people discover several companies at once. Attendance creates traffic and helps organizers continue these initiatives.

Even if you do not purchase immediately, you can meet the owners, subscribe to their updates and save their details for a future need.

12. Offer expertise or build a fair collaboration

If you have a useful skill, you may be able to offer a short piece of advice, an introduction or a collaboration. This could be a focused consultation, a cross-promotion or a partnership between complementary businesses.

Keep the arrangement clear and fair. Define each contribution, permitted uses, responsibilities and deadlines. A poorly defined collaboration can quickly create more work than value.

How to find local businesses to support

Start with tools you already use, but add your neighbourhood or city to the search. Google Maps, municipal directories, chambers of commerce, public markets and industry associations can reveal businesses you have not encountered before.

Try these approaches:

• ask trusted people for specific recommendations;
• review vendors participating in a local market or event;
• search for the service followed by your city;
• explore the partners of businesses you already trust;
• review the website, customer feedback and contact details;
• confirm that the business actually serves your region.

A local business does not need a physical storefront. A professional firm, agency or digital company may be based in your community while serving customers across Canada.

Run a local business? Make it easier to support

Your customers want to help you, but they need to understand quickly what you offer and how to take action. Your online presence should answer four questions: what do you sell, to whom, in what area, and what's the next step?

Make sure, in particular, that:

• your contact information, hours and service areas are up to date everywhere;
• your products or services are clearly described, with prices whenever possible;
• booking, buying or requesting a quote takes just a few clicks;
• you ask for reviews at the right time, without pressure.

A business that's easy to recommend is also a business that inspires trust. A hesitant customer will often check who's behind the name: is the business properly registered? Is its information up to date with the Registraire des entreprises du Québec?

For a plumber, a salon owner or a caterer, these details may seem far removed from day-to-day work, but they're just as reassuring as a good Google review.

The same goes for your terms of sale. Clear delivery, cancellation and refund policies prevent a lot of misunderstandings, and a customer who knows what to expect is more likely to come back. It's often this kind of foundation, well structured from the start, that allows a small business to grow without complicating its life.

How Lexstart supports local entrepreneurs

Behind every local shop or service, there's also a legal structure to set up and maintain. Lexstart simplifies several essential steps so you can spend more time on your clients and your growth.

With Lexstart, entrepreneurs can:

• incorporate your business online through a guided process;
• complete your annual corporate update and keep company information current;
• access legal services designed for entrepreneurs;
• review clear pricing before any process, starting at $999 for provincial incorporation and $250 per year for the annual update;
• work with a team that understands the realities of small businesses in Quebec.

Lexstart is the online legal platform of Barricad Avocats. It combines digital tools, clear processes and professional review to make routine corporate legal work simpler and more predictable.

Supporting local starts with one next action

You do not need to change every habit at once. Choose one realistic action: leave a review, refer a provider, buy a local gift or pay an invoice today. Repeated across a community, small decisions can strengthen the businesses that make that community distinctive.

Are you launching or managing a business yourself? Explore Lexstart's services or contact our team to identify the next legal step for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to support a local business?

It means choosing, recommending or helping an independent company based in your community or region. Support can include a purchase, review, referral, social share or collaboration.

Can I support a local business without spending money?

Yes. A helpful review, contextual social share, referral or survey response can improve visibility and provide value without requiring a purchase.

Why does shopping local help a community?

Local businesses create jobs, often purchase from nearby suppliers and participate in neighbourhood or regional initiatives. They also make the local market more diverse.

How can I tell whether a business is truly local?

Review its website, address, team and service area. You can also check its business profile, local associations and how it describes its operations.

Is Lexstart designed for small businesses?

Yes. Lexstart simplifies common legal processes for entrepreneurs, including incorporation, corporate updates and access to selected legal services and documents.

This article provides general information and is not legal advice.