Buy Local: It’s Not Just for Produce
In recent years, there has been a push to buy local. People are more willing than ever to support small businesses and give back to their communities — a trend that has only been accelerated by the pandemic. As small businesses have struggled to keep their doors open amid restrictions and lockdowns, people have made a conscious effort to shop small rather than at large chains like Walmart, Target, and the like.
A common misconception is that to shop small only means to shop at your hometown grocer or invest in community talent. However, business owners can take shopping small a step further and incorporate it into the technology they equip themselves with. Businesses such as local restaurants and retailers can purchase technology solutions such as their point of sale system from local, independent establishments rather than popular big-box providers, with various added business benefits.
Local Service
First and foremost, choosing to buy local when it comes to your POS system gives you the benefit of local service. As local vendors are typically more accessible than larger, global resellers, they’ll be able to quickly come to your assistance in the event of a business emergency.
The same can’t always be said for a multi-national online chain. When you do run into an issue, it may take an exponentially longer amount of time to reach them, let alone speak with a real person. Once you’ve alerted them to your issue, it may take a day or more for them to send someone to service your solution. This could leave you and your customers to suffer with slow or broken tech, or even force you to shut down point of sale operations altogether.
When you buy local, you’ll save your business from the possibility of disastrous downtime. They’ll have the time and resources available to problem solve with you quickly, so that your operations can get back on track as soon as possible.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better
In all areas of life, many people fall into the trap that bigger is better. Name brand clothes, shoes, technology and more — there are many who believe that the brands at the top of their Google search are the best. This has led small businesses everywhere to adopt the most popular, easiest-to-find technologies without understanding the range of options available to them.
This mentality could leave you with a solution that, although popular, doesn’t fit into your industry and doesn’t feature customizable functions that fit your specific needs. When you buy local, you’re more likely to have a POS provider who genuinely has your best interests in mind. A smaller solution could have all the features you need with stellar local service.
Personal Relationship
A local or more independent POS provider can understand your small business stressors from first-hand experience. Being a small business themselves, they can connect with you on a level that larger providers can’t. Instead of viewing you as just another faceless business, a local reseller will see you as a fellow small business owner that they want to see succeed.
As mentioned earlier, it may be difficult to speak with a living, breathing representative when you partner with a larger supplier. When you buy local, however, you’re more likely to get that one-on-one service that you value and give to your own customers. This will make it easier for you to develop and nurture a personal relationship with them, ensuring that problems are quickly and easily resolved when they arise as well as making interactions more pleasant overall.
Small Supporting Small
With everyone pushing to buy local, it would make sense for business owners themselves to follow the same practice. By getting your POS solution from a local provider, you are giving back to your community as well as supporting another small business. By practicing what you preach, you can show your customers your dedication to others in your community, which will undoubtedly boost your reputation.
Partnering with a local small business is also a great way to grow your potential audience. While not exactly the same as advertising the local produce farm or candle shop, you can still advertise that your POS is locally sourced. If your provider advertises that their solution is featured in your business, their audience may be interested to visit your establishment.
It’s no secret that community growth and small business support are huge issues right now. When you partner with a local POS provider, you will have a partner who is ready to help you maintain and grow your business on a more personal level. If you’re interested in locally sourcing your new POS solution, NCC and our network of local resellers are here for you. Contact us today to buy local and improve your business and your community!
