The holidays sneak up fast, and for small business owners across Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, and Santa Clarita, the next few weeks are the window to get ready before the rush hits. Small Business Saturday falls on November 28 this year, and shoppers across the region will already be searching for local gift ideas, holiday hours, and places to spend their Black Friday weekend budget closer to home. A little prep now can mean the difference between catching that traffic and watching it go to a big-box competitor instead.
Start with your Google Business Profile. It is the first thing a shopper sees when they search “gift shop near me” or “open late tonight in [neighborhood],” and an out-of-date listing costs you customers before they ever walk in. Update your holiday hours, add a few fresh photos of your storefront or seasonal displays, and make sure your phone number and address are correct across every platform you are listed on.
Next, decide your Small Business Saturday plan now rather than the week of. A simple in-store promotion, a reason to post about it on social media, and a sign in the window all help. Shoppers that day are actively looking to support local businesses over chains, so make it easy for them to find and remember you.
If you sell anything online or offer local delivery, publish your shipping and order cutoff dates clearly on your site and at checkout. Nothing frustrates a holiday shopper more than placing an order that will not arrive in time, and clear deadlines reduce refund requests and last-minute complaints.
Consider teaming up with a neighboring business for a joint promotion, pop-up, or shared social post. Cross-promotion costs nothing but a little coordination and introduces your business to an audience that already shops local in your area, whether that is Ventura Boulevard, Old Town Newhall, or a stretch of Valley Boulevard.
Finally, refresh your website and listings with neighborhood-specific language. Mentioning your actual city or district, not just “Los Angeles,” helps nearby shoppers find you in local search results during the season when they are searching the most.
None of these steps takes a big budget, just a bit of planning before the calendar catches up. Are you a local business owner? Add your business listing on Los Angeles Business Web today.