According to most economic perspectives, buying online from small businesses directly is more beneficial to the economy than buying through large retail platforms, like eBay or Amazon. It directly contributes more money to the local community and supports smaller businesses in those communities. When you buy from a small business, a larger portion of your purchase stays within the local economy, creating a greater ripple effect in that community. In addition, small businesses often provide their communities with jobs, and subsequently, tax revenue that can be utilized for improvements in those communities. And let's face it, when you buy from large online retailers, your often sending your funds directly to large corporations or overseas which certainly does not contribute to the culture and prosperity of local regional areas. Small businesses often face an uphill battle when it comes to reaching a larger customer base, as they typically operate on a smaller budget than those large corporations. Employees often "wear many hats" and struggle to spend the enormous amount of time it takes to market their online business. As a result, many small businesses feel forced to use large online sales platforms, and subsequently forfeit anywhere from 3 to 15% or more of their income in service charges and fees. So, next time you decide to make a purchase online, consider buying directly from the online store of a small business, rather than a retail juggernaut.