As a result of the pandemic, ninety-three percent of small businesses report being disrupted by COVID-19. While the holiday season is always important to many small businesses, we know that this year may be the most important yet. 

For consumers, the holidays are starting early and the way to reach those shoppers is online. Seventy-one percent of U.S. adults said they planned to do more than half of their holiday shopping digitally this year, and those shoppers are open to buying from new retailers, especially local small businesses. 

To help you get ready for the holidays, we created the Google for Small Business holiday hub. On the hub you’ll get personalized recommendations to reach shoppers across Google Search, Shopping and Maps. Here’s a preview of some of the tools and resources that you’ll find on the hub. 

Create a strong digital presence 

Sixty-six percent of people in the U.S. who plan to shop this holiday season said they will shop more at local small businesses. To ensure customers are finding the most up-to-date information about your business on Google, claim your Business Profile. Once you’ve verified your business, you can share information with shoppers, like your store hours and contact information, your current inventory, whether you offer curbside pickup and if you have any welcome offers. Our updated Local Opportunity Finder tool will give you personalized suggestions for making improvements to your Business Profile on Google. And you can now save time by making updates to your Business Profile directly from Google Search and Maps. 

For retailers, it’s vital that customers have a seamless experience on your website. The Grow My Store tool will analyze your site’s customer experience, show how your site performs relative to others in the same retail category and offer tailored recommendations for improvements. 

Show up when people are searching for what you offer 

We recently announced that retailers offering ecommerce can list their products for free on Google. This makes what you offer more accessible to the hundreds of millions of people who shop on Google each day, connecting you to more customers. You can get started by either submitting your product feed through Google Merchant Center or by automating your feed setup through platforms that you may already be using to manage your products and inventory: Shopify, WooCommerce or BigCommerce. 

If you’re a local business looking to attract customers to your store, you can also get your inventory online instantly by connecting to Pointy from Google via a compatible point-of-sale system or by purchasing a Pointy device. Once connected, simply scan your products as normal and the product information will automatically upload to an online catalog called a Pointy Page and to your Business Profile through the See What’s In Store module.

When you’re ready to take the next step to advertise your business online, you can use Google Ads Smart campaigns—our ads product built specifically for small businesses. We've now made it easier for local small businesses who don't have a website to create ads. Smart campaigns will automatically build a landing page with your business phone number, hours, photos and reviews with the information you submitted on your Business Profile.

You can find more tools and tips on our Google for Small Business holiday hub and by tuning in to our October 14th Grow with Google training focused on selling online with ecommerce tools. 

As a former small business owner, I admire the many ways that an idea-turned-business can start: as a side hustle, a plan dreamed up at the kitchen table, or something passed down from generation to generation. But what I admire more is the ingenuity and resilience of small business owners who make it through all manner of crises, especially COVID-19.

Corinna and Theresa Williams are sisters who had an ambitious goal: to create a laundromat that made you actually want to do your laundry. Together, they opened Celsious in Brooklyn, New York. Celsious is a light-filled laundromat with soaring ceilings, fast, eco-friendly machines, a barista-attended coffee bar, and places to hang out while you wait for your clothes. They received enthusiastic support from the community, and by all accounts, had more than met their original goal. But when COVID-19 hit and New York’s stay at home order was issued, they quickly switched to a drop-off only business model. Their Business Profile on Google helped customers book appointments online, including priority times the sisters set aside for essential workers. 

Progetto Quid in Verona, Italy is a sustainable fashion brand that recovers high-quality textiles from larger clothing and textile/fabric manufacturers that would otherwise be wasted and regenerates them into beautiful collections manufactured by people (mostly women) with vulnerable pasts. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, founder and president Anna Fiscale used the textiles to create reusable face masks that she sold online–helping to keep people safe, as well as preserving the jobs of all of her employees. 

Fatima Alvarez and her co-founders had a vision: empower indigenous female artisans in Mexico by introducing Mexico’s traditional craftsmanship to the world. They founded Someone Somewhere, a clothing company working with more than 200 artisans in five states in Mexico: Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Hidalgo and Estado de México. When they were forced to close their retail stores as a result of the pandemic, they shifted their focus to online sales and reached customers in both Mexico and the United States. This allowed them to continue operating and keep their staff employed. They’ve also begun donating 10 percent of their profits to the communities they work with to help with medical supplies and protective equipment.

BoxFit from New Delhi, India is a boxing and kickboxing-based fitness club with two locations and 20 employees. When the pandemic forced them to close their doors, founder Rahul Kaul had to quickly figure out how to make sure his instructors could keep paying their bills. He started streaming live interactive workouts on YouTube, allowing BoxFit to keep their instructors, stay connected to their members, and reach new followers.  

To celebrate International Small Business Day, we encourage you to check out more videos of resilient small businesses across the world who are using digital tools to build a stronger online presence, reach more customers, and continue making an impact on their communities. To learn more about resources for small business owners, and ways that individuals can help, check out Google for Small Business. 

As a small business owner, you’ve likely never led your business through a more tumultuous time. You’ve made hard decisions about how to keep your employees safe, how to stay in touch with customers, and how to continue operating under difficult circumstances. 

I used to be a small business owner myself, spending nine years running a winery with my husband, including during the 2008 financial crisis. We worried about whether the winery would survive, so I appreciate the challenges small businesses are facing right now. Looking back I wish we had all the digital tools that are now available. The crisis caused by COVID-19 has made it clearer than ever before that having a digital presence not only enhances your business, but it’s also a key principle for survival. In fact, 1 in 3 small business owners say that without digital tools, they would have had to close all or part of their business due to the pandemic. 

To help small businesses stay open and connected with customers despite the obstacles they're facing, we've dubbed this week International Small Business Week. Over the next few days, we'll share free trainings, tools and resources to help businesses build a stronger digital presence. Join us by checking out our calendar of events on the Google for Small Business site or by following @GoogleSmallBiz. 

As a first step, you can get personalized recommendations on how to improve your free Business Profile on Google. If you’re a local business, your Business Profile helps customers find you online, and you can communicate operating information, like your open hours and whether you offer curbside pickup.

If you’re ready to dive into a variety of products and tools that will help you build a strong online presence, check out our new Digital Toolkit. There are four guides to choose from, depending on how you're operating your business: local only, local with a website, online-only, or starting a new business. The Digital Toolkit will connect you with educational content, products and offers to help you reach more customers and grow your business. 

And we know that people across the world are rallying to support their favorite small businesses, so we’ve compiled some easy ways to help, like buying gift cards and ordering takeout. Small businesses add so much to our communities and we're committed to continuing to develop tools to help them to be successful. We hope you'll join us for International Small Business Week and celebrate the resilience of small businesses across the world.

As a small business owner, you’ve likely never led your business through a more tumultuous time. You’ve made hard decisions about how to keep your employees safe, how to stay in touch with customers, and how to continue operating under difficult circumstances. 

I used to be a small business owner myself, spending nine years running a winery with my husband, including during the 2008 financial crisis. We worried about whether the winery would survive, so I appreciate the challenges small businesses are facing right now. Looking back I wish we had all the digital tools that are now available. The crisis caused by COVID-19 has made it clearer than ever before that having a digital presence not only enhances your business, but it’s also a key principle for survival. In fact, 1 in 3 small business owners say that without digital tools, they would have had to close all or part of their business due to the pandemic. 

To help small businesses stay open and connected with customers despite the obstacles they're facing, we've dubbed this week International Small Business Week. Over the next few days, we'll share free trainings, tools and resources to help businesses build a stronger digital presence. Join us by checking out our calendar of events on the Google for Small Business site or by following @GoogleSmallBiz. 

As a first step, you can get personalized recommendations on how to improve your free Business Profile on Google. If you’re a local business, your Business Profile helps customers find you online, and you can communicate operating information, like your open hours and whether you offer curbside pickup.

If you’re ready to dive into a variety of products and tools that will help you build a strong online presence, check out our new Digital Toolkit. There are four guides to choose from, depending on how you're operating your business: local only, local with a website, online-only, or starting a new business. The Digital Toolkit will connect you with educational content, products and offers to help you reach more customers and grow your business. 

And we know that people across the world are rallying to support their favorite small businesses, so we’ve compiled some easy ways to help, like buying gift cards and ordering takeout. Small businesses add so much to our communities and we're committed to continuing to develop tools to help them to be successful. We hope you'll join us for International Small Business Week and celebrate the resilience of small businesses across the world.

As a small business owner, you’ve likely never led your business through a more tumultuous time. You’ve made hard decisions about how to keep your employees safe, how to stay in touch with customers, and how to continue operating under difficult circumstances. 

I used to be a small business owner myself, spending nine years running a winery with my husband, including during the 2008 financial crisis. We worried about whether the winery would survive, so I appreciate the challenges small businesses are facing right now. Looking back I wish we had all the digital tools that are now available. The crisis caused by COVID-19 has made it clearer than ever before that having a digital presence not only enhances your business, but it’s also a key principle for survival. In fact, 1 in 3 small business owners say that without digital tools, they would have had to close all or part of their business due to the pandemic. 

To help small businesses stay open and connected with customers despite the obstacles they're facing, we've dubbed this week International Small Business Week. Over the next few days, we'll share free trainings, tools and resources to help businesses build a stronger digital presence. Join us by checking out our calendar of events on the Google for Small Business site or by following @GoogleSmallBiz. 

As a first step, you can get personalized recommendations on how to improve your free Business Profile on Google. If you’re a local business, your Business Profile helps customers find you online, and you can communicate operating information, like your open hours and whether you offer curbside pickup.

If you’re ready to dive into a variety of products and tools that will help you build a strong online presence, check out our new Digital Toolkit. There are four guides to choose from, depending on how you're operating your business: local only, local with a website, online-only, or starting a new business. The Digital Toolkit will connect you with educational content, products and offers to help you reach more customers and grow your business. 

And we know that people across the world are rallying to support their favorite small businesses, so we’ve compiled some easy ways to help, like buying gift cards and ordering takeout. Small businesses add so much to our communities and we're committed to continuing to develop tools to help them to be successful. We hope you'll join us for International Small Business Week and celebrate the resilience of small businesses across the world.

When people need a plumber or a locksmith, they search online for a business nearby. With Local Services by Google, businesses like yours can show up at the top of Search, so that you can reach local clients right when they’re interested, and book more jobs.

Today we’re announcing that Local Services, previously in a pilot as Home Services, is running in 17 cities across the U.S., and will be available in 30 major metro areas by the end of 2017.

All Google Guaranteed businesses that appear in Local Services are background checked and display a badge of trust, which limits deceptive advertisers, elicits trust among users and highlights quality businesses. Once on the platform, you can make a personalized profile page that displays your reviews, contact info, and unique aspects about your business like being eco-friendly or family-owned. Potential clients can view your profile and make a decision and get in touch right away. You only pay for leads that are relevant to the services you offer, and it’s easy for you to turn your ads on and off so you get leads when you want them.

How Local Services became a “game changer” for one small business

Luis Gonzalez started his cleaning company in 2010, after being laid off in the wake of the financial crisis. At first, Luis vacuumed the hallways in his apartment building for $100 off his rent.

Realizing there was a demand for local cleaning services, Luis created a website and founded Roses House Cleaning Services, nicknamed after his wife.

In the beginning, Luis used online directories to advertise locally, but a year ago he started using Local Services and saw an immediate jump in calls.

While a $300 newspaper ad might yield three calls from potential customers, Luis says, “I get 3-5 calls every day through Local Services.” He calls the service a "game changer," that has sustained and grown his business—now he doesn't have to worry about getting enough jobs to fill his schedule each week.

With the consistent flow of business and the help of Google, Roses Cleaning has grown. They’ve recently hired two new employees to keep up with the demand.

Small businesses all over the U.S. are using Local Services to bring in more calls from new customers who are actively looking to book service providers through the platform. Iftah Sagi, the owner of IVS Security in Atlanta says he gets about eight calls a day from customers that found his business through Local Services. Dan Travers, the owner of 1-800-ANYTYME Plumbing, Heating and Air, says his booking rates are up by almost 70% since joining Local Services. Both owners have also hired additional employees to keep up with the increase in call volume, just like Luis.

We’re passionate about helping small businesses like Roses Cleaning, IVS Security, and 1-800-ANYTYME reach new customers directly and grow their business. You can sign up to be one of our service providers here.