You’ve poured your heart and soul into your small business. But even when you’re doing everything “right,” it can still feel like an uphill battle to get more people through the door.
Figuring out how to promote your business locally shouldn’t require a marketing degree—or a huge budget. Yet so many small business owners struggle to get noticed in the very communities they serve.
The truth? It all comes down to the right mix of visibility, strategy, and good ol’ community connection.
We’ve pulled together a list of 18 practical, easy-to-implement ideas (with real-life examples!) to help you attract more local customers.
Let’s jump in. 🦘
The first way a lot of people search for local businesses? By heading to Google, typing in “salon near me” or “photographer [your city],” and hitting “Enter.”
When someone searches for your service, you want your business to actually show up, and show up near the top. Getting listed on the right platforms ensures you appear in local search results, and is one of the best ways to advertise your business for free.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
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Pro tip 💡 Need help optimizing your Google Business Profile? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to rank at the top of Google for searches like “salon near me.” |
Budget: Free, aside from the time it takes to set up!
Yes, we know the main point of this article is to teach you how to promote your business locally, but hear us out—a website is still a key way to do this effectively!
Whenever someone finds you online from a “[your industry] near me” search, or even hears about you from a friend, they’ll likely want to visit your website before they commit.
A clean, modern site builds trust and helps you stand out from competitors who may not have one—or whose sites are outdated.
When tackling a website, it’s important to remind yourself that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Start with the basics to get your website up and running, and over time, add more pages as needed.
Using tools like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress that have pre-built templates, you can get your website up and running in no time. Here are the most important pages to start with:
1. Homepage: Use it to make a great first impression with a beautiful photo or visual that represents your brand. Keep the text clear and simple: who you are, what you offer, and why someone should care.Most importantly? Include a big, bold call-to-action to make it easy for someone to take that next step—“Book now,” “See our services,” or “Schedule your free consultation.”
2. About page: People come here to find out who they’re doing business with—so don’t just list your credentials. Share your story. Why did you start your business? What do you believe in?
If you have a team, introduce them, too. Show real faces, real stories, and real passion. This kind of transparency builds relationships—and helps potential clients feel like they already know you before they ever reach out!
3. Local pages: If you serve more than one city or neighborhood, this is a must. Creating dedicated pages for each location you operate in helps you show up in localized Google searches—so when someone types in “massage therapist in Portland” or “personal trainer near Oak Hill,” your business has a better chance of being seen.
On each location page, be sure to include the city or neighborhood name several times, list the specific services offered at that location, and add the exact address and contact details so visitors—and search engines—know exactly where you are.
4. Contact page: No need to overthink this one—but don’t underestimate it either. 😄 Include:
On my website, I’ve built in the option for people to have a free online consultation, chat about their ideas, and what they want to achieve from a photoshoot. They go ahead, book it, and it’s all scheduled." - Chris Vaughan, Photographer
Budget: Although some website builders (like Wix) have free plans, most will cost you about $10 to $30 a month, depending on which tool/plan you choose.
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💸 Running on a tight budget? Here are 10 free startup tools that’ll come in handy for your small business. |
Once you have your website (see point 2 just above!), you should take some time to optimize it to make sure your site, and not just your Google Business Profile, pops up on Google.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) will be key to this and, when done right, will drive more local visibility—and more clients—without spending a dime on ads.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Free, unless you hire an SEO expert (not necessary to get started!).
Blogging might sound like a big time commitment, but for small businesses, it’s one of the most effective ways to drive traffic and boost local SEO. When you answer common questions or share useful tips, Google takes notice—and so do potential customers.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Write 1–2 short posts a month (even 400–600 words is enough at first) answering common questions your customers ask or covering topics they care about. For example:
Each post is another opportunity to include local keywords, build trust and authority with your customers, and keep your website fresh in Google’s eyes.
Budget: Free if you write it yourself, or you can hire a freelance writer if you’d rather hand it off.
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Pro tip 💡Need help coming up with blog topics? Try using ChatGPT for business to spark new ideas. Just ask something like: “Give me 5 unique and interesting blog post ideas for my local coffee shop’s website, answering common questions and sharing useful tips. Each idea should be 1-2 sentences long and suitable for posts around 600-800 words.” And ChatGPT will come up with ideas to help you get started. 👇 |
Your email list is full of your people—customers who already trust you or want to hear from you. It’s one of the best tools you have to increase repeat business and promote new offers.
And unlike social media, email gives you full control over your client communication—no algorithms involved.
Opting into my mailing list gave me back control over communication with my clients because we know that even though you may have so many followers on social media, they don't necessarily see your content all the time. The delivery is not what it used to be.” - Daniele Lugli, Tattoo Artist
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Most email tools offer free plans up to a certain number of subscribers.
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Pro tip 💡Keep your emails short, friendly, and easy to read. Your readers don’t need (or want) fancy prose—they just want helpful, human content that sounds like you. As a small business owner, you are the brand—so let your personality shine through! Here’s a great example from copywriter Emily Claire Hughes, who shows how to stay authentic while still promoting her business and offers. 👇 |
People are busy. If they have to reach out, wait for a reply, and go back and forth just to find a time to meet—they might move on. Plus, you’ll provide a better experience for your clients if you aren’t constantly fielding phone calls or messages during appointments!
Making it easy to schedule means more bookings, fewer missed opportunities, and a better experience for everyone.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Tools like YouCanBookMe offer free plans, but the paid versions (starting at only $8.10/month) are super affordable compared to the time and energy they save.
Giveaways create buzz, get people talking about you, and can bring in a wave of new local followers and leads. If there is one universal truth out there, it’s this: everyone loves free stuff.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Just the value of the prize!
Check out a giveaway example from Lindsey and Brian Pickowicz of The Fitness Project. 👇
If you’re wondering how to promote your business locally for free, you’ve got to start collecting reviews. Before someone books with you, they often zero in on one question: Can I trust you?
And nothing builds trust like hearing from real customers. Positive reviews and testimonials act as powerful social proof—they show potential clients that others have had a great experience with your business, making it much easier for them to choose you over the competition.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Totally free—just takes a bit of consistency and follow-up.
To save yourself time and collect reviews on autopilot, use a small business scheduling software like YouCanBookMe (YCBM).
YouCanBookMe doesn’t just let clients book appointments 24/7—it also sends automated confirmation, reminder, and follow-up messages. That means you can easily stay in touch with clients and ask for reviews without adding any extra work to your plate.
Here’s an email follow-up template you can plug into YCBM to collect reviews after every single booking:
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Subject: We’d love your feedback 🌟 Template: Hi {FNAME}, It’s been wonderful working with you, and I’d be so grateful if you could share a quick review of your experience! Your feedback not only helps me improve my services but also allows others to make confident decisions about working with me. [Link to Google review page or another review site] Thank you for your time, and I’m always here if you have questions or need anything. Best, [Your name] |
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Pro tip 💡 Don’t forget testimonials! Have regular customers you’ve already built a solid relationship with? Ask for a short written or video testimonial you can feature on your website. Bonus points if they include specific results or benefits. |
There’s power in partnerships. You don’t need to do it all alone—local businesses can support and promote each other, especially if you serve similar customers.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
It was tricky because I wasn’t offering lash extensions at my university marketplace. So, I pivoted and made handmade false extensions to sell... It was a great stepping stone for me to feel more comfortable taking new opportunities." - Sandra Mo, Founder of Lashes By SxMo
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📚Trying to connect with other local business owners but feeling a little awkward about it? No worries—we’ve put together a simple guide on how to network confidently, even if it’s not your thing. |
Budget: Often free—just needs a bit of coordination and creativity.
If you’ve been trying to figure out how to promote your business locally, paid ads can be a powerful shortcut—when done strategically.
Paid ads can put your business in front of your target customers, and even a small budget can have a big impact. You just need the right message, targeted to the right people in the right area.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Start with one platform—Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads all let you target people who live in your area, so you’re not wasting money showing your ad to folks on the other side of the country.
Here’s how to make your ad count:
Budget: You can start small—$5–$10 per day is often enough to reach hundreds (or thousands) of local people. Try running your ad for 5–7 days to gather data, then review and tweak if needed. As you learn what works, you can scale up gradually.
Events give people a reason to check you out in person—and they’re a great way to build buzz, meet potential customers, and show off what makes your business special.
Whether it’s a casual open house, a mini-workshop, or a pop-up market, events help you connect face-to-face with your community.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Totally depends on the scale, but many small events can be done with around $100 by using your own space and promoting organically.
Want to see a real-life example? Melbourne-based tattoo artist Daniele Lugli hosted an event for Eucalypt Day at her studio, where she tattooed eucalypt-themed designs at special prices, with all proceeds going to a not-for-profit conservation organization. 🌿👇
Everyone loves a good deal—but what really gets people moving is a deal that won’t be around forever. Limited-time offers create a sense of urgency, helping customers make quicker decisions instead of putting off booking “someday.”
Plus, they’re a great way to fill gaps in your schedule or drive traffic during slower seasons.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Free to run—the only “cost” is the discount or bonus you’re offering.
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Pro-tip 💡Tie your promos to holidays, seasons, or local events—people are already in spending mode during those times. For example, Toronto-based Lash Artist Sandro Mo held a special Valentine’s Day promo. 👇 |
Packages help customers see the value in booking more, not just once. Bundling your services together makes pricing simpler, boosts revenue, and often leads to stronger client relationships because they’re committing for a longer period.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: None—this is just smart pricing and bundling!
See how personal stylist Tiara Mosley packages her styling services. 👇
People trust recommendations from people they already follow and admire. Local influencers—especially micro-influencers (with 1k–10k followers)—can introduce your business to a highly engaged, local audience that’s ready to book, shop, or stop by.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Usually just the cost of your product or service. Some influencers may charge a fee, but many local, smaller creators are open to trades or collaborations—especially if they genuinely like what you offer.
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Pro tip 💡 Relationships matter—don’t just cold-DM with a pitch. Follow them, engage with their content, and approach the collaboration like a real partnership. |
While digital marketing gets a lot of the spotlight, good ol’ snail mail still works—especially when you’re trying to reach people in a specific neighborhood. You’ve probably been on the receiving end of one of the many direct mailers from meal prep companies:
A well-designed postcard or flyer can make a real impression, especially when it feels personal and local.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
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Pro tip 💡 Make it easy for people to take action by adding a QR code that links directly to your special offer or booking page. The latter is simple to set up with YouCanBookMe—and perfect for flyers, postcards, or in-store signs. |
Budget: Plan to spend around $0.50–$1.00 per postcard, including printing and postage. A great way to start is by sending a small batch—about 100 to 250 postcards—to test what works before investing in a larger campaign.
If you’re on a budget, don’t worry about hiring a designer right away. Canva is your best friend here. You probably already use it to create social media graphics—just repurpose that same style into a flyer or postcard layout. It doesn’t need to be fancy—clear, on-brand, and easy to read is what matters most.
Here’s an example of an Instagram post from a restaurant that could easily double as a direct mail postcard. 👇
People love asking for local recommendations—and answering those questions is a great (and free!) way to get your business name out there.
Local Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and neighborhood apps like Nextdoor are where your future customers are already talking. You just need to join the conversation.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
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Pro tip 💡 Set a reminder to check in once or twice a week to a group or two. Consistency builds recognition—and people are more likely to book with someone they’ve seen being helpful in the community. |
Budget: Free—just requires some of your time and a bit of patience.
You’ve probably noticed we’ve already shared a few social media examples throughout this article—and that’s no accident. When it comes to how to promote your business locally, social media simply works.
It keeps you visible, helps you connect with your community, and best of all? It’s free! There are so many creative ways to promote your business on social media, from behind-the-scenes clips and customer shoutouts to local tips and event updates.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
Budget: Completely free—just takes a bit of your time and effort.
Check out this example from marketing coach Romana Siracusa—notice how her post is honest and relatable, while still promoting her business. 👇
Whether it’s a neighborhood newsletter, a local lifestyle magazine, or a well-read community blog, getting featured in local media is a great way to boost your visibility and build trust. It’s one of the most overlooked—but surprisingly powerful—moves in our how to promote your business locally playbook.
Ready to try it? Here’s what to do:
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Pro tip 💡 Don’t forget about email newsletters! Many local blogs or magazines send regular updates to their readers—and a quick spotlight in one of those can drive a ton of traffic to your site or booking page. |
Budget: Editorial coverage is free (if they pick up your story). Sponsored content or ads can cost roughly $50–$300, depending on the outlet.
With all the ideas we’ve shared on how to promote your business locally, we’re positive you’ll find at least one that fits your goals—and your busy schedule.
Remember, you don’t need to do everything at once! Whether you start by setting up your Google Business Profile, teaming up with another local business, or running your first seasonal promo, the key is to take small, intentional steps and build from there.
And when you’re ready to make it super easy for people to schedule time with you? YouCanBookMe (YCBM) is here to help. Try YCBM for free to take the hassle out of scheduling, so you can focus on what really matters—serving your customers and growing your business.
You’ve got everything you need to get noticed in your community. Now it’s time to show up, stand out, and get booked. 💪✨