The Hidden Costs of Local Business

Empowering Communities with GOTYOU

It’s the day before Christmas—a season of giving, community, and reflection. For local businesses like restaurants and retail shops, this time of year is critical. The holiday season often determines whether they can thrive in the coming year or struggle to stay afloat. The stakes are high, and the challenges are many. Yet, in the midst of this, technology offers an opportunity to rewrite the story for local commerce.

The Cost of Competing in Local Markets

Local businesses collectively invest $175.6 billion annually in marketing to attract customers, competing not just with each other but also with national and global brands. While this spending drives awareness, it often benefits big tech companies more than the businesses themselves. Consider these facts:

• Nearly 50% of all Google searches have local intent.
• 98% of consumers use the internet to find local businesses.
• 76% of consumers read online reviews regularly when deciding where to shop or dine.

The reliance on platforms like Google and Facebook, which charge high fees for visibility, creates a financial burden. While these tools help businesses gain exposure, the majority of the revenue leaves the community and flows into the coffers of big tech.

The Downside of Deep Discounts

Over the years, platforms like Groupon have tempted local businesses with promises of new customers through deep discounts. While the initial traffic surge can be appealing, the long-term effects are often damaging. These platforms take significant commissions, leaving businesses with razor-thin margins. Additionally, they attract deal-seekers who are unlikely to become loyal customers.

Take a restaurant offering a $20 voucher for $12 through Groupon. The platform takes a significant cut, often leaving the business with less than $6—hardly enough to cover costs, let alone generate a profit. This model is unsustainable for most small businesses.

In the near future, imagine the same restaurant offering a $20 voucher through GOTYOU. With GOTYOU’s model, the restaurant prices the voucher at $17. The consumer uses 50 GET tokens (equivalent to $5), meaning they still pay only $12 out of pocket. After GOTYOU’s modest 10% fee of the retail value (just $2), the restaurant retains $15—an incredible 150% increase compared to the $6 they would make with Groupon.

This isn’t just an incremental improvement; it’s a complete game-changer. GOTYOU uses cutting-edge technology, including blockchain and NFTs, to redefine the way businesses and consumers interact. Here’s how it goes beyond dynamic discounting:

1. Power True Ownership with NFTs: Each voucher is an NFT stored in the consumer’s GOTYOU digital wallet. This provides true ownership and flexibility, enabling users to gift or trade their vouchers seamlessly.
2. Creative Promotions: Businesses can use the same technology for happy hour deals, end-of-day promotions (e.g., discounted donuts or cookies that would otherwise go to waste), or exclusive memberships (e.g., free drinks or rewards like free popcorn after five movie visits). The possibilities are endless.
3. Cross-Promotions: Imagine buying a cookie at one shop and earning a voucher for a free coffee at a partner café. GOTYOU’s blockchain-based ecosystem makes cross-promotions simple, fostering collaboration among local businesses and increasing customer engagement.
4. Seamless User Experience: Despite its technological sophistication, GOTYOU ensures a simple, user-friendly interface for both businesses and consumers. This ease of use empowers businesses to deploy creative campaigns effortlessly.

GOTYOU: A Game-Changer for Local Commerce

Enter GOTYOU, a platform designed to empower local businesses rather than exploit them. By leveraging blockchain technology and innovative business models, GOTYOU is flipping the script on traditional advertising and discount platforms. Here’s how:

1. Keeping Revenue Local: Unlike traditional platforms that extract a large share of revenue, GOTYOU ensures the lion’s share stays within the community. By using blockchain for transparency and efficiency, businesses can see exactly where their money goes.
2. Rewarding Engagement: GOTYOU turns everyday consumer actions like reviews, feedback, and referrals into valuable rewards. Instead of spending heavily on ads, businesses can incentivize real, organic engagement from their customers. For consumers, this means earning tangible benefits for supporting their favorite local spots.
3. Dynamic Discounting and Beyond: GOTYOU offers dynamic pricing strategies and leverages blockchain technology to create new opportunities for local businesses, from exclusive memberships to creative cross-promotions.

Technology as a Force for Good

Technology itself isn’t the problem; it’s how it’s used. While big tech has prioritized profit over community, platforms like GOTYOU demonstrate how technology can empower small businesses and consumers alike. Blockchain ensures transparency, AI drives personalization, and the platform’s community-first approach fosters trust and collaboration.

The Vision for 2025

Imagine a future where:

• Consumers earn rewards for helping their favorite businesses succeed by leaving reviews, spreading the word, and providing valuable feedback.
• Local businesses thrive with affordable marketing tools that don’t require sacrificing profits.
• Communities flourish as more money stays local, supporting jobs, families, and the vibrancy of neighborhoods.

Platforms like GOTYOU are already making this vision a reality. By providing tools that build genuine connections between businesses and consumers, they are ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for local commerce.

A Call to Action

This holiday season, as we shop, dine, and celebrate, let’s remember the power of our choices. Supporting local businesses strengthens our communities, and innovative platforms like GOTYOU make it easier than ever to do so. Together, we can create a future where technology serves as a bridge—not a barrier—to local success.

Let’s embrace this opportunity to rebuild and reimagine local commerce for 2025 and beyond. The solution is here, and it starts with us.

Wishing You Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2025

As we celebrate this season of giving, we extend our heartfelt wishes for a joyous holiday filled with warmth, happiness, and connection. Here’s to a successful 2025, where businesses thrive, communities grow, and technology serves the greater good. Together, we can make it happen. Happy Holidays!