At the start of 2021, 99.9% of the business population were small or medium enterprises (SMEs), collating to around 5.5 million. This may sound like a positive figure however, it has decreased from the previous year by 6.5% (-389,000 businesses). As many SMEs had to shut, this figure is primarily due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the lockdowns that occurred throughout 2020 and into 2021. Through government schemes such as the COVID-19 Grant or Eat-Out-To-Help-Out contributed to supporting businesses as restrictions slackened, however, for some the damage was already done.

Humana (marketing agency Doncaster) helps to support local businesses in various ways, including improving its visibility on search engines (SEO) and creating innovative content to increase viewership. We find it important to boost the local economy and secure jobs in such an uncertain and trying time. Supporting businesses ensures that people are still trying to help people succeed.

Local Economy

As aforementioned, SMEs are the main percentage of businesses in the UK. It is important to keep this figure high, particularly with the uncertain future 2022 holds.

Spending your money at local businesses could create a ripple effect. Many SMEs support each other in the community. If you pay for a service from one company, chances are you are also contributing to the growth of others around. Unlike bigger companies that are usually in competition with each other, local businesses want each other to succeed as it will all help the area and its people. 

Local businesses also contribute to the community in other ways. Donating their goods to charities and shelters is a great way to improve the economy and help those less fortunate.

Creating Local Jobs

Supporting local and small businesses can also improve job security in your area. If the small business grows, at some point they will need to expand and hire more staff. Whether it’s a corner shop hiring a minimum-wage teenager, or an SME widening their staff intake, the first step is making sure the business is thriving and can take on more employees. 

By improving the employment rate in your area adds to the economy and cements it as a place for business growth. It refines the skill level in the region also, creating more people with desirable abilities and decreasing the level of unemployability. With the lockdown forcing businesses to let staff go or even fully close, it is important to bring this figure back up and help people get their lives back on track. 

Community Spirit

It’s a great feeling going into place, or buying a product online and knowing who’s doing the selling. Like Cheers, where everybody knows your name.

Supporting businesses that are local to your area can improve and increase community spirit and bring help to bring people together. Instead of shopping at supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda for just a pint of milk, going to a local corner shop or sourcing it out from nearby farms can not only improve the economy but help different parts of the community come together and become more accessible. 

It can also help you find different and unique products that cannot be found in mainstream shops. Find something that really speaks to you. High streets everywhere have hidden gems run by local business people that want to give back to the community. 

In addition, it is supporting not just the economy, but people’s visions and dreams. It lets them know that what they’re selling is worth something, which may mean so much if the products are all homemade. Not only are you contributing to the community, but they are as well.

Humana is an SME that focuses on social media management and digital marketing campaigns for supporting businesses. Our small and dedicated team, most of who are based and from the area, have a wide range of skills that covers many areas to suit specific companies to grow. Based in Doncaster, Humana’s clients include resident businesses in the area and the surrounding region, contributing to the local economy.

For more information on how Humana helps to support businesses, or how Humana can help support your business, fill out our contact form and a member of our staff will be in touch.