One major reason for the shutdown is the lack of support they receive from the locals. And it is not that the people do not want to support black businesses. Sometimes, they just don’t know where to look for them. In order to minimize the effort required to find these businesses, there are many platforms that are there to help.
In this blog, we will be covering such platforms so that you can easily look for the business you are looking for and provide them with the necessary support.
Common Ways To Find A Local Black-Owned Business
Did you know that there are a lot of ways by which you can look for local businesses? However, people usually are not aware of them or simply forget about them. So, this blog will help all those concerned parties.
Some of the common ways to find a local black business are as follows:
- Google Maps
- Black Owned Business Directories
- Local Advertisements
Google Maps
It is one of the easiest and most free methods of looking for any local store or service. You just have to enter the name of the business or simply enter the service or product you are looking for. Google Maps automatically find the nearest sellers of that specific service or product and cater to you.
Also, businesses can now list themselves as black-owned or minority-owned. This showcase helps the user identify the business easily and provide them with the necessary support. So, if you have not been using the maps or forgot about them, now would be a great time to use them.
Black Owned Business Directories
Another great way to find a local black business is by going through a directory of black businesses. There are many websites that allow black businesses to list themselves to make their business more easily discoverable. Since they are specific to black businesses, you can easily find those businesses and support them.
We will dive into more details about these directories in the coming section.
Local Advertisements
While this method involves some level of investment, it is certainly effective. Locals can find nearby businesses easily with the help of local advertisements. A black business can reach out locally in many ways, such as
- Using Google ads or ads on other social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook
- Another way is to advertise using the help of local advertising agencies
- You can sponsor local influencers to market your business to the local audience.
What Is The Best Way To Find A Local Black Business?
It is not certainly subjective when we declare the best way to find a black business. That is because it can depend on many factors and the individual. So, here we are going to list some top business listing directories for black businesses. You can use these directories to find and support black businesses.
We Buy Black
We Buy Black started way back in 2015, and today, it is one of the largest online marketplaces for black-owned businesses. They even call themselves the “Black Amazon,” which is also their distinct point. They also demonstrate strong brand values with their social media pages.
Here, you can find all sorts of everyday products such as creams, toothpaste, hardware, etc. On top of that, their website is easy to navigate, and the process of searching is also very simple.
Shop Black (ShopBlck.net)
Shopblck.net is an emerging black business listing website. It also provides comprehensive marketing solutions to black businesses to promote their growth. The idea behind it was to provide black businesses with a platform to list themselves. And at the same time, make them grow financially dependent to break through the shackles of racism.
At shopblck.net, business owners can
- List their business and get the opportunity to interact with other black businesses to promote inclusive growth.
- With a simple and navigable website, customers can easily look for different categories of products or services.
- They also offer marketing solutions to promote business growth even more.
Black Business Green Book
There is a report by an organization called Color of Change. It said that black businesses were closing at a high rate during the pandemic. And the rates are going even higher.
Black Business Green Book is a business directory that aims to tackle the situation. It is a new directory that is there to help customers to find the different black-owned brands. There are plenty of categories of products available, which include
- Home goods
- Health/wellness
- Art & photography
- Fashion
- Books and many more
Also, the website allows shoppers to shop by state or go online. It lets businesses reach an even higher customer base. Even the organization, Color of Change uses the directory to publish content related to black businesses and resources.
Also Read: 5 Effective Ways To Promote A Black Owned Business
Black Nation
Black Nation is not just a black-owned business directory but also a social directory. And according to their spokesperson, the name “Black Nation” is a representation of their vision and purpose. It reflects the unity among black people and aims to empower them.
The platform has turned into an Instagram-like platform that exists to empower the black community. People can do more than just find businesses. They can take part in giveaways by those businesses and can connect with other members of the Black Nation community. It has taken inclusive growth to the next level.
The Black Nation app is available on Android as well as iOS devices.
How Can A Black Business Increase Its Discoverability?
Now, let’s move on to the part about how any black business can increase the chance of being discovered. Because let’s be honest; the effort from the business is just as crucial as any other factor.
And that is why we have compiled a list of techniques that they can use to increase discoverability.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing
Content marketing is a common form of marketing that many businesses use these days. It is used for the promotion of products and services that a business offers. It makes use of content such as articles, blogs, newsletters, emails, etc., to reach out to potential customers.
The function of SEO is to boost content rankings and make it so that it can reach the target audience. No website in the world can function without the proper use of SEO, a crucial component of organic marketing.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System
CRM is another crucial part of business marketing. Many modern companies make use of CRM to compile and organize information related to their clients. Even if your business has smooth functioning, it will still need to use CRM at some point in time. It acts as a database of customer information and any interactions with them. The stored information can be accessed by the business.
Using a CRM system does not just make management easier. But using the stored information, the business can also look for opportunities that can help it grow.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is another way to get discovered and is very targeted as well. It ensures that only the right audience discovers the brand and is very effective for conversions. The business can also reach out to potential customers and inform them of the services or products.
Online Tools & Resources
There are many online tools and resources available on the internet. Many of these tools are free to use as well and can take your brand’s image to greater heights if used correctly. Some of these tools are:
- Canva
- Wix
- Mailchimp
- Google Analytics
- Notion
- Asana
Final Thoughts
Gone are the times when racial inequality was the norm. In the current times, people are becoming aware of the inequalities in societies and even want them to end. And one of the best ways to uplift any minority community is by making them financially capable. Promoting black businesses is one of the ways to go about it. It will not just increase the flow of money but also create more job opportunities for black people. We also believe that it will end the cycle of racial discrimination and create a harmonious society.