How to Promote Your Business Locally

Key takeaways:

• Building a solid presence online will help you promote your local business.
• A website can help you build trust and credibility among possible customers.
• You’ll rank higher organically in search engines when you optimize your website.

It’s not enough to open your doors and hope for customers to walk in. Make the extra effort and get seen! Promoting your business locally is one of the most important and effective ways to grow your customer base.

The good news is there are plenty of ways to get the word out in your local community. From building a strong online presence to personally connecting with your neighborhood, promotion can take many forms. In this guide, we’ll walk you through online and offline strategies to help you get more customers.

How to promote your local business online

To promote your business online, focus on building a solid presence where your customers already are, such as social media, Google, and other search engines. Today, 42% of local queries result on Google Maps Pack results, so optimizing your local presence connects you to potential customers. Potential customers who are looking for businesses like your nearby.

Let’s look at these digital marketing tactics to improve and expand your customer base.

1. Create a Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly Google My Business (GMP), is one of the most important tools for local promotion. It helps your business appear in Google Maps, the local results on Google Search, and the Knowledge Panel.

Set up and verify your profile since this promotes your business online. Once you have access, you can:

• Update your contact information
• Add photos of your location and services
• Post updates
• Respond to reviews

Having your business listed on Google puts you where local customers are already searching. Whether someone’s looking for a “coffee shop near me” or checking store hours, your profile helps them find and choose you.

Plus, GBP offers customers the option to leave reviews and ratings, which builds trust. A complete, updated profile makes a great first impression, even to people discovering your business for the first time.

And the best part? It’s completely free.

2. Build a website

For local businesses, having a website is one of the best ways to reach more customers. It acts as your online storefront and a central hub for people to learn and get in touch with your business.

Even if your business is small or based in a neighborhood, a website can help build trust and credibility. Many customers now often search online first. Without a website, your local business might get passed over in favor of those online.

Building a website isn’t costly, either. Today’s website builders are affordable and easy to use, which is great for beginners.

Want to give it a try? Network Solutions’ Website Builder is a smart option for local business owners like you. It’s intuitive, featureful, and budget friendly.

3. Leverage local SEO

Wondering how to get your business to show up on Google? That’s where local SEO comes in. If your goal is to be seen by nearby customers, then adding local SEO to your local marketing strategy is a smart move.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing your website and business listings so they rank higher in search engine results like Google. Local SEO focuses on helping your business appear when people nearby search for products or services you offer.

There are ways to optimize your website for local SEO:

• Use local keywords. Include your city or neighborhood in your website content, page titles, and meta descriptions. This way, search engines like Google can connect your business with local searches, like when someone types “best bakery in Richmond” or “hair salon near Main Street.”
• Improve the user experience (UX). Make sure it’s mobile-friendly, fast-loading, and easy to navigate. These make visitors stay longer, which tells search engines your site is helpful. This can improve your rankings and help more local customers find you online.

4. Use other social media platforms

Let’s say you’re not ready to invest in a website yet; you can still build a strong online presence using social media.  

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are great tools for connecting with local audiences. They’re a great way to share updates, promote offers, post behind-the-scenes content, and interact with your audience directly.

Cons? These social media platforms don’t give you full control over your content or audience. Algorithms change often, so your posts might not always reach your followers.

5. Run paid ads

Online ads are one of the most effective tools for local advertising. Even with limited budgets, online ads offer a strong return on investment (ROI) thanks to advanced targeting options.

Many advertisers and businesses refer to them broadly as Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads, which is a form of online advertising where you only pay when someone clicks on your ad. This makes them cost-effective, perfect for small businesses.

Here are two of the most popular paid ads you can consider:

• Google Ads. offers a variety of formats to help you target local customers effectively. With the right strategy, it can deliver impressive results, and many businesses achieve a 200% return on investment. Here are the most common Google channels / properties when you can advertise:
  • Search ads. These ads appear when people search for terms related to your business. It’s great for capturing intent.
  • Display ads. These are ads that you see across websites, apps, and YouTube. 
  • Google Local Services Ads. Perfect for service-based businesses, these ads appear at the top of search results with a “Google Guaranteed” badge. Plus, you only pay when someone contacts you.
  • Google Shopping ads. Perfect for local retailers with physical products, showing your inventory to nearby searchers.
• Local Facebook ads help you connect directly with nearby customers. How does it work? You can target audiences based on their location. This is great for promoting in-store events, limited-time offers, or boosting awareness in your area. It’s also important to note that these ads appear on Facebook and Instagram. You can use formats like image ads, video ads, or carousel ads to showcase your products or services.
   

With the right keywords and geo-targeting, PPC helps you attract local customers who are actively searching for your offer.

No time to run your search ads? Our Google Ads pros can help.

6. Start email marketing

Your existing customers are one of your most valuable assets. They already know and trust your business, so staying connected with them is important. It can lead to more repeat visits, referrals, and long-term customer loyalty.

For small local businesses, email marketing is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to stay in touch with your customers.

Think of it like handing out flyers; this time, it’s digital. You can share updates, promote special offers, and build relationships that keep people coming back.

How to promote your local business offline

Yes, offline marketing is still very much alive. While the world is online, many buying decisions still happen through real-world interactions and word of mouth.

Let’s look at a few smart ways to promote your business offline.

7. Take any opportunities for media coverage

Getting your business featured in the local news or community magazines can bring major exposure. Whether it’s a new product launch, a grand opening, or your unique business story, local media often look for stories highlighting small business owners.

To get featured in a few major media outlets in your local area, consider the following:

• Build relationships with local journalists, bloggers, and radio hosts.
• Send a short press release to local newspapers or TV stations.
• Join community events where media is present.
• Reach out to local podcasts or talk shows. Many are open to interviewing small business owners.

Doing so will help you spread the word and build trust in your business, especially when it comes from a known local source.

8. Collaborate with influencers

No, we’re not talking about big celebrities. Local influencers with a loyal online following can be a powerful part of your local marketing strategy.

Local influencers often have strong relationships with their audiences. They can promote your business in a more genuine, relatable way. Whether they’re food bloggers, local moms, or lifestyle content creators, their words can build instant trust.

Quick tip: Ensure that you find the right fit. Look for influencers whose content and audience align with your business. Why? A good match feels more natural.

9. Negotiate for a cross-promotion

Team up with other local businesses so you can introduce your brand to their audience.

For example, if you own a coffee shop, consider partner with a local gift shop. They mention your café in their newsletter or offer your coupons at checkout. Then, you do the same for them.

Cross-promoting helps both businesses gain exposure. But make sure their business complements yours, not competes with it.

10. Get involved with local communities

Nothing beats face-to-face interactions and genuine local support. For local businesses, showing up in your local community is already a powerful form of marketing.

Joining or hosting local events helps create a buzz. From here, people will begin to associate your brand with trust, care, and authenticity.

Here are a few ways to engage your local community:

• Participate in local events like fairs and charity runs.
• Sponsor youth sports teams or school programs.
• Host a community workshop.
• Join your local Chamber of Commerce or small business group.
• Donate goods to local fundraisers.
• Support causes your community cares about. For instance, education or the environment.

While these efforts create goodwill, they build long-term loyalty, too, especially to your community.

Invest in a good marketing strategy today

Whether you’re a startup or looking to grow, one thing is clear: You need to make a profit. Effective promotion helps you achieve this by connecting your business with local customers who want your service or products.

Promote your business with one of these tips to get started. Wanna build a website? Try Network Solutions’ Website Builder to get started quickly and affordably.

Frequently asked questions