If you’re looking for real ways to advertise your business for free, this list of ideas has you covered! Keep reading to find out how you can promote your business without spending any cash upfront.
Starting and running a business is about more than just having a great idea. Even if you’re passionate about your business niche and have a great plan and the money to get started, you still need to focus on advertising and marketing your business to bring in customers.
If you have a small business, paid advertising may seem like a luxury that doesn’t fit into your budget. I’ve personally experimented with using Facebook ads to advertise my online service-based business, but the costs can add up fast. Plus, advertising takes time and testing to see results, and you may want to adjust your plans along the way.
On the bright side, there are plenty of free advertising strategies you can use today to get your business in front of potential customers and clients without spending a dime.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner looking to increase your online presence, here are some of the best ways to advertise your business for free.
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Profile
The first thing I’d do if you have a local business (whether online or a physical location) is set up your Google Business Profile so you will show up in local search results on Google Search and Google Maps.
Optimize your business profile with specific keywords, photos, business hours, and positive reviews. When I worked at a web design company several years ago, we earned a small gift card each time we received a positive review for the company. Reviews are free word-of-mouth marketing for your business, and they can help boost your search engine ranking on Google, allowing more people to find your business and feel confident buying your products or services.
2. Use Social Media Strategically
Be sure to create social media accounts for your business on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter (X), and even Reddit to connect with your target audience for free. Instagram and Facebook are great for sharing reels and stories to showcase your products, answer questions about services, and share reviews.
You can even post behind-the-scenes content to get better engagement with your audience. Or, if you have a service-based business, you may want to share helpful tips and advice. TikTok is another popular social media platform that your target audience may be on.
TikTok users appear to be highly engaged and tend to follow and purchase from businesses with which they can relate. Forums like Reddit threads are great for answering questions and sharing value (not just ads) to help raise awareness about your business’s services.
3. Join Free Online Directories
I may be aging myself here, but I remember growing up and seeing my mom look in the Yellow Pages book to find certain businesses, restaurants, etc., whenever she needed something. Today, no one sends Yellow Pages books to homes in the area anymore, and we have online directories instead.
Luckily, many of them are free, so it’s worth signing up for these, especially if you have a business that serves local customers. Consider adding your business to sites like Yelp, Bing, Foursquare, Nextdoor, and The Mom Index, just to name a few options. Don’t forget to write a brief but engaging description of your business, upload photos and videos (if you can), and add keywords in your descriptions.
4. Update Your Website’s SEO
SEO stands for search engine optimization. Search engines are still one of the best places for new customers to discover small businesses. That’s why investing time and effort into SEO is crucial.
You don’t have to be a digital marketing expert to improve your site’s SEO. There’s a ton of free resources and information online. Sites like SEMrush, HubSpot, and even YouTube videos can help you get started.
You’ll want to use relevant keywords throughout your website and blog posts. You can also add keywords to the ‘alt text’ of your images and work with a web developer to optimize your website’s speed since Google favors faster websites. Local SEO is just as important. Include your city or region in your content to improve your visibility in local search results.
If you’re not interested in all the technical aspects of updating your website’s SEO, you can always outsource this to an expert or even hire someone who can give you a checklist of steps to take over time.
5. Leverage Word of Mouth Marketing
Word-of-mouth marketing is powerful and free. Encourage satisfied customers or clients to tell their friends and family about your business whenever possible. You can even incentivize them with a small reward, like a discount for referrals.
Additionally, you can try hosting either local or online customer appreciation events to show your existing customers how much you appreciate their business. Providing excellent customer service will help you stand out and stay top of mind, allowing people to recommend your business to others over time.
6. Utilize Email Marketing
One of the most effective low-cost marketing tools is still email marketing. Sending regular email newsletters with discounts, helpful tips, and tutorials helps nurture relationships with potential clients and bring back satisfied customers.
Ask people to join your email list whenever they make a purchase, and promote your newsletter on social media. Consider offering something special and valuable as your lead magnet to get more signups.
Commit to sending regular emails, whether once a week, twice a month, or whatever makes sense for your business. Add your website and social links to your email signature to gain extra exposure with every message you send.
7. Create and Share Blog Posts and Other Content
Content is everywhere online, and it’s free to create and share in most places. If you already have a website for your business, start publishing blog posts about various topics in your industry as well as important company news and updates. When I started freelancing online, my blog was one of the best free marketing tools I had because it served as a portfolio to showcase my work and expertise.
You can also try creating video content on a YouTube channel or becoming a guest on various podcasts to offer valuable advice and advertise your business.
With the content you create, stick to topics your target audience is searching for, such as:
- How-to guides
- Product tutorials
- Local recommendations
- Behind-the-scenes looks at your business
How to Advertise Your Business For Free: Summary
There are tons of free advertising options out there, so you don’t need a huge marketing budget to gain traction in your business and reach more potential customers. Just focus on starting your marketing plan with what you have and where you are.
You do need an advertising plan and strategy, but hopefully, these tips can help you increase your visibility online, build an audience, and convert people into doing business with you, all without buying traditional ads.
Just pick two to three strategies from this list to help you get started and commit to using them consistently over the next few months.
