How Small Local Businesses in Nottinghamshire Can Make the Most of Their Online Presence - Simple, Low-Cost Ways to Attract More Customers and Get Seen Locally

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Running a small business in Nottinghamshire—whether it’s a café in West Bridgford, a boutique in Newark, or a florist in Beeston—means you’re not just selling products or services. You’re building relationships within your local community. And in 2025, that connection starts online.

But with limited time and budget, how do you grow your digital footprint without feeling overwhelmed?

Here are five simple, cost-effective ways to improve your online presence and attract more local customers—including one powerful platform every Nottinghamshire business should be using.

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1. List Your Promotions on What’s Local

If you’re running a special deal, seasonal offer, or event—don’t just post it on social media and hope for the best. Add it to What’s Local, a growing platform where thousands of locals search for events, deals, and things to do in Nottinghamshire.

💡 Great for:

• Happy hour offers

• Seasonal sales

• In-store events

• New product launches

• Loyalty rewards or freebies

✅ Standard listings are free

✅ Premium listings are just £4.99 for 5 weeks

✅ Easy to post, edit, and update anytime

Your listing will show up for people actively looking for things to do or places to visit in their area—so you’re not just promoting, you’re getting discovered.

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2. Update Your Google Business Profile Regularly

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first thing potential customers see. Make sure it’s:

• Fully filled out with up-to-date hours and contact info

• Includes good-quality photos of your products, space, or team

• Features recent customer reviews

💬 Encourage happy customers to leave a review—it boosts your credibility and helps you rank better in local searches like “best coffee Nottingham” or “independent gift shops near me.”

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3. Use Facebook and Instagram to Show Personality, Not Just Products

Social media is crowded—but local charm stands out. Instead of only posting sales, give followers a peek behind the curtain.

📸 Ideas to post:

• Meet the owner/staff stories

• How your products are made

• What’s new in-store this week

• Collaborations with other Nottinghamshire businesses

• A shoutout that your offer is live on What’s Local!

Use local hashtags like #ShopNotts, #SupportLocalNottinghamshire, and #NottinghamBusiness to help more locals find you.

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4. Join Local Online Communities

Facebook groups, neighbourhood forums (like Nextdoor), and even community noticeboards are all powerful tools. Find groups where your target customers hang out—like “Things to Do in Nottinghamshire” or “Nottingham Small Biz Support”—and get involved.

✅ Don’t just promote—engage. Comment, answer questions, and only share your offers when relevant.

📌 Tip: You can link to your What’s Local listing instead of always sending people to your website—it feels less salesy and more helpful.

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5. Create Simple Content That Helps or Entertains

You don’t need to be a marketing expert to create useful content. A few simple ideas:

• A short blog post like “How to Pick the Perfect Houseplant” if you run a plant shop

• A quick video showing how to style a scarf if you sell fashion

• A checklist PDF or recipe card if you run a deli or bakery

Share that content on your site, in emails, or on social media—then mention you’ve added any special offers to What’s Local for extra visibility.

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Final Thoughts

You don’t need a massive following or expensive ads to grow your online presence—you just need to be consistent, visible in the right places, and tapped into your Nottinghamshire audience.

Whether it’s through Google, social media, community groups, or What’s Local, each online step you take builds trust and visibility for your business.

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Ready to Attract More Local Customers?

📍 List your business promotions or events on What’s Local App – the free, local-friendly platform for Nottinghamshire.