Delaware may not be in the direct path of most hurricanes, but tropical storms regularly bring heavy rainfall, flooding, and power outages. Here’s how to protect your business.

Create a business continuity plan — Document critical processes, key contacts, and recovery steps. Who can work remotely? What equipment is irreplaceable? Start with FEMA’s free toolkit.

Back up everything to the cloud — One flood can destroy on-site data. Use cloud-based backups for financial records, customer data, and inventory. Test backups monthly.

Review your insurance — Standard commercial policies often exclude flood damage. Check FEMA’s flood maps and consider separate flood insurance. Note the 30-day waiting period for new policies.

Prepare your physical space — Clear gutters and drains, secure outdoor signage, elevate critical equipment off the floor, install surge protectors, and consider a generator.

Communicate with customers — Let them know your storm plan via social media and Google Business Profile. Customers appreciate transparency.

In 2026, Google Reviews are essential. For local Delaware businesses, your review profile can be the difference between a customer choosing you or your competitor.

The numbers: 93% of consumers read reviews before visiting a local business, businesses with 4.0+ stars earn 28% more revenue, and the top 3 local search results are heavily influenced by review quantity and quality.

How to get more reviews without being pushy:

Ask at the right moment — immediately after a positive experience when the customer is happy.

Make it easy — create a direct Google review link and share via text, email, or QR code at your counter.

Respond to every review — even negative ones. Professional, thankful, solution-oriented responses show you care.

Don’t offer incentives — Google prohibits discounts for reviews. Focus on delivering remarkable service people naturally want to talk about.

Use follow-up emails — send a thank-you 24-48 hours after their visit with a friendly review request and direct link.

Getting your business listed on DelawareThrive.com is one of the easiest ways to boost local visibility. Here’s how to do it in under 10 minutes.

Step 1: Visit delawarethrive.com/add-listing and create your free account with your name, email, and password.

Step 2: Choose your listing package. The Community plan is completely free with your business name, phone, address, website, and description. Paid plans add premium features like photo galleries and featured placement.

Step 3: Fill in your business details. The more complete your profile, the better you’ll rank in search results.

Step 4: Add your logo and photos. Listings with images get 3x more clicks than text-only listings.

Step 5: Submit and go live! Free listings are published immediately in search results, category pages, and the interactive map.

Pro tip: claim your listing even if it’s already on the site. Claimed listings rank higher and give you full editing control.

Working remotely in Delaware? Whether you need a change of scenery, fast Wi-Fi, or just a really good latte, Greater Wilmington has coffee shops that double as productive workspaces. Here are our top picks.

Brew HaHa! — Multiple Locations
A Wilmington institution. The Greenville location is spacious with plenty of outlets, strong Wi-Fi, and a relaxed vibe. The Trolley Square spot is cozier but has great energy. Their cold brew is legendary.

Drip Cafe — Hockessin
Technically a full restaurant, but the bar area is perfect for laptop work during off-peak hours. The coffee is excellent, and when you’re ready for a break, their brunch menu is one of the best in Delaware.

De La Coeur Café — Wilmington
French-inspired pastries and espresso in a charming space. Smaller seating area, so go early. The croissants alone are worth the trip.

Revolution Coffee Roasters — Wilmington
If you’re particular about your beans, this is your spot. They roast in-house, and the baristas take their craft seriously. The shop has a clean, modern feel with good natural light.

Argilla Brewing Co. — Newark
Yes, it’s a brewery — but during the day it’s a quiet, spacious spot with solid coffee and Wi-Fi. Great for those who want to transition from work mode to happy hour without moving.

Pro Tips for Coffee Shop Working
Buy something every couple of hours — support the business that’s hosting you. Bring headphones. Don’t hog a four-top during lunch rush. And tip well — your “office rent” is basically the price of a few lattes.

Found a gem we missed? Tag us on social media and we’ll add it to the list!

Building a strong network is one of the most valuable things a small business owner can do — and Delaware’s tight-knit business community makes it easier than you think. Here are proven strategies to grow your professional circle and turn connections into customers.

Show Up Consistently
Networking isn’t a one-time event. Join a local group — the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, Delaware Small Business Chamber, or a BNI chapter — and attend regularly. Familiarity builds trust, and trust drives referrals.

Lead with Value
The best networkers don’t walk in asking for business. They walk in asking, “How can I help?” Offer introductions, share resources, refer business to others. What goes around comes around.

Perfect Your 30-Second Pitch
When someone asks what you do, don’t ramble. Have a clear, concise answer: who you serve, what problem you solve, and what makes you different. Practice it until it feels natural.

Follow Up Fast
Met someone interesting? Send a LinkedIn connection request or email within 24 hours. Reference something specific you discussed. Suggest a coffee meeting. The follow-up is where relationships are actually built.

Leverage Digital Networking
Join Delaware-focused LinkedIn groups, Facebook business groups, and online directories like DelawareThrive.com. Your online presence extends your reach beyond any single event.

Host, Don’t Just Attend
Invite peers to your office for a casual mixer. Co-host a workshop with a complementary business. When you’re the host, you’re positioned as a leader and connector.

Delaware’s business community is uniquely accessible. Start building your network today — your next big opportunity might be one handshake away.