How to Support a Small Business on Social Media

Supporting your favorite small businesses on social media is one of the most powerful things you can do without spending a dime, and it all starts with a simple tap of your finger. A single like, comment, or share can have a ripple effect that helps a small brand reach new customers and grow. This guide breaks down the simple yet effective ways you can become a super-supporter for small businesses online, from effortless actions you can take right now to more impactful strategies.

The Easiest Ways to Show Support (And Why They Work)

These actions take seconds to complete but send powerful signals to social media algorithms, telling them that a business's content is valuable and should be shown to more people. Think of these as digital high-fives.

1. Go Beyond the Simple "Like"

While a "like" is a nice gesture, other forms of engagement carry more weight with algorithms. When you see a post you enjoy from a small business, try one of these instead:

• Leave a thoughtful comment: Algorithms on platforms like Instagram and Facebook prioritize discussions. A comment with four or more words is more valuable than a single emoji. Ask a question about the product, tell them what you love about their post, or simply share a positive thought. This sparks conversation and boosts the post's visibility.
• Save the post: The "save" feature is a super-interaction. It tells the algorithm that the content is so good, you want to return to it later. For a business, high save counts on a post are a huge indicator that they created something genuinely useful or inspiring, and the platform will reward that by showing it to a wider audience.
• Share the post: Sharing a post to your own Story or feed is the ultimate endorsement. It introduces the business to your personal network, an audience they might never have reached otherwise. Add a personal note about why you love the business - it makes the recommendation feel more authentic.

Example: Instead of just liking a photo from your local coffee shop, leave a comment like, “That new latte looks amazing! Can't wait to stop by and try it this weekend,” or share their post to your Story with the sticker, "My favorite spot!"

2. Tag the Business in Your Own Content

Have you bought a product or used a service from a small business? Share your experience! This is called User-Generated Content (UGC), and it’s gold for a small brand. It acts as authentic, organic marketing that they can’t pay for.

• Snap a photo or record a short video of you enjoying their product.
• Post it to your feed, Reels, TikTok, or Stories.
• Make sure to tag the business’s official social media handle (e.g., @nameofbusiness) in the photo and in the caption.

This does two things: it shows your followers a real-world example of the brand’s offerings, and it gives the business high-quality content they can re-share to their own profile, providing valuable social proof to their existing audience.

3. Follow Them Across Multiple Platforms

Many small businesses are trying to build a presence on more than just one social media platform. If you follow them on Instagram, check if they also have a TikTok, Facebook page, LinkedIn, or YouTube channel.

Following them in multiple places helps them build momentum on newer channels and diversifies their audience. Social media can be unpredictable, and having a strong following across several platforms protects a business from a sudden algorithm change on a single app.

Level Up: How to Make a Bigger Impact

Ready to go beyond the basics? These next steps require a little more thought but provide immense value and can directly lead to new customers for a small business.

1. Write a Positive Review or Testimonial

Word-of-mouth is everything. A glowing review is a powerful form of social proof that convinces potential customers to trust a business. Many platforms, like Facebook, have a dedicated review section. You can also leave a detailed, positive comment on one of their posts that they could screenshot and use as a testimonial.

Be specific in your review. Instead of just saying “great service,” try something like: “I ordered a custom print from them and was so impressed with the communication and quick turnaround. The quality is incredible, and it looks beautiful on my wall! I'll definitely be ordering again.”

2. Engage with Their Interactive Content

Do you see a poll, quiz, or question box in their Instagram Stories? Participate! These small interactions might seem trivial, but they are direct forms of engagement that show the platform your followers are active and interested. It also gives the business owner valuable feedback and makes them feel more connected to their community.

3. Recommend Them in Online Communities

Are you part of a local Facebook group, a Reddit community, or a Slack channel for people with similar interests? When someone asks for a recommendation that your favorite small business fits, that's your chance to shine.

Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Tag the business’s social media page directly in your comment.
• Briefly state why you are recommending them.
• If possible, add a photo of the product you purchased.

This is a highly-targeted form of marketing. You're connecting a person with a specific need directly to a business that offers a solution, which often leads to an immediate sale.

Supporting Financially and Through Collaboration

Liking and commenting is fantastic, but paying customers are what keep the lights on. Here are ways to combine your social media support with financial help.

1. Make a Purchase and Share Your Excitement

This is the most direct way to support a small business. When you make a purchase, whether online or in person, think about how you can amplify it on social media. Do an “unboxing” video in your Stories, snap a picture the moment you get it, and tag the brand with a note of excitement. This reinforces that not only is the product worth buying, but the experience of receiving it is special, too.

2. Buy a Gift Card

Not ready to make a purchase for yourself? A gift card is a fantastic way to show support. It provides the business with immediate cash flow and introduces them to a new potential long-term customer when your friend or family member redeems it. Plus, sharing that you bought a gift card signals to others that the business is worth investing in.

3. Respect Their Prices

One of the less obvious but hugely important ways to support a small business is to respect their pricing. Small brands don’t have the same manufacturing scale or negotiating power as large corporations. Asking for discounts or freebies can put a small team in an awkward and challenging position. Paying the listed price enthusiastically is a form of respect for their craft, time, and effort.

Final Thoughts

Every tiny interaction on social media adds up to something big for a small business - more visibility, stronger community, and ultimately, sustainable growth. Whether you're sharing a post, writing a review, or tagging them in your Story, your support helps a real person’s dream stay alive.

As a business, finding the time to check every comment, DM, and mention across all those different platforms can be overwhelming. We designed Postbase to solve that exact problem, giving you a single inbox for all your engagement, a visual calendar to plan your content for video-first platforms like TikTok and Reels, and analytics that actually tell you what's working. It lets you focus on building your community instead of being bogged down by the tools.