BBB — your local business resource

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/12/2020 (1858 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

COVID-19 has shone a light on the importance of buying local. The point isn’t to shame those who are tapping their cards at big box stores or ordering online from business giants — it’s to remind people of the value of supporting their neighbours and communities, keeping local dollars local, and creating jobs for people within their own cities and towns.

But when people think about buying local, they usually envision the diner down the block or the scented candle company their wife really likes. Yet there are many non-profits and charities within their communities providing services that benefit everyone.

One of these non-profits is your Better Business Bureau. Its mission is to create a marketplace wherein consumers and companies can trust each other. It works to shut down scammers and frauds while creating more ethical citizens and businesses. Many businesses that commit themselves to operating ethically do accredit with the BBB, to promote that they’re transparent and trustworthy. BBB provides a business profile for all businesses, and with their own BBB review link at www.bbbreview.us/(their 10-digit phone number)

It’s a win-win for businesses. They can access resources that help them run a business consumers and partners are proud to associate with, while gaining a platform to highlight their reputation. Over 40,000 consumers go to Manitoba and Northwest Ontario’s BBB website each month to research businesses.

Consumers who visit bbb.org are performing serious due diligence before buying a product or service as well as browsing the web. So having a positive profile on BBB’s site can quickly lead to landing a new customer. Potential and existing customers are more likely to connect with an honest and qualified company. Many businesses market their services or products on huge search engines. One of the reasons is that they’re looking to attract young people’s eyes.

Google analytics show us that the 25 to 34 demographic group is the one that most uses the BBB Manitoba website. They make up more than a quarter of the total visitors to www.bbb.org/manitoba

BBB can help businesses enhance their reputation, boost their online presence or possibly earn a few extra dollars to get through this financially trying time. By supporting local BBB offices, dollars go back into the community in the same way supporting other local shops does.

Your BBB is a not-for-profit and it also has a foundation, which further gives back by offering an ethics course that is delivered across the province to help young people learn about making ethical decisions and building their personal brand. For more information about your BBB, visit www.bbb.org/manitoba  

 — Trade-mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus used under licence.