The recommendations from the World Health Organization to practice social distancing and self-quarantining have been heard loud and clear. Around the world, families are staying in their houses and apartments to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is all to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system and slow the rate of infection. It's called 'flattening the curve.'

While taking these measures slows down the transmission of the virus, it also means small businesses are getting hit hard. From trade shows and events being canceled to fewer customers making purchases, many of these businesses are wondering where to turn and how to stay in the black. We want to share all the resources we can to help your business.

Understanding the situation and working fast, Kabbage, one of our partners in the financial services space, launched www.helpsmallbusiness.com, a free program to help US businesses generate revenue immediately. This service enables anyone to purchase an online gift certificate for your business. While the gift certificate is redeemable at any time, your business receives the money as soon as the next business day. Multiple gift certificates can be purchased for any amount between US $15 and US $500.

US small businesses can sign up in minutes and begin offering gift certificates. Here's how it works:

• Create a free Kabbage Payments account
• Receive a unique URL
• Share your URL through social media, email, or however you can reach customers
• Access your funds immediately — as fast as one day after purchases are made
• Use free technology offered by Kabbage to scan, verify, track, and fulfill gift certificates when redeemed

This initiative is a call-to-action across the US. Local businesses need assistance now more than ever. Kabbage Co-founder and CEO Rob Frohwein explained that "this site is a means for the millions of small businesses that employ more than half of all employees in America to continue making sales and to feel your commitment to their long-term success."

Kabbage will not profit from these efforts. It is just one more way to help small businesses during these uncertain times. Even when we can't go out, we can still support the businesses impacted by COVID-19.

If you're a small business and are interested in using this service, sign up here.

Once your business is signed up, you will receive an email from Kabbage with more information. The email provides detailed instructions on your next steps and includes a suggested note to send to your contacts. It will look something like this:

You can find more information on Kabbage's www.helpsmallbusiness.com initiative here. There is also a help center to answer any questions you may have.

Watch our first-ever virtual fireside chat featuring B2B small business owners. We discussed creative ideas and different resources available to help get small businesses through these unprecedented times. You can view some of our other virtual fireside chats here.

Reach out to other businesses in your community, chambers of commerce, associations, and networks to create a unified plan.