19 ideas to improve local marketing for your small business in Surrey

Updated 25 March 2024.

Having a strong local presence online is crucial for the success of any small business. It’s been reported that 97% of people learn more about a local company online than any other medium. This comprehensive local marketing guide for Surrey’s small businesses will be your bible.

Whether you’re a local bakery, a boutique shop, or a service provider, reaching your local target audience in Surrey requires strategic efforts. Hubspot highlighted that, 88% of mobile online searches for local businesses result in either a call or business visit within one day.

Here are 19 actionable local marketing tips to improve your reach and visibility online, tailored specifically for small business owners in Surrey.

LOCAL MARKETING TIPS FOR YOUR WEBSITE

Make your website local.

It may sound obvious but weaving local keywords such as “Surrey” and other relevant towns/cities naturally into your website copy will do wonders for your site. This helps search engines understand your geographic relevance and improves your chances of appearing in local search results.

Add your location to your website.

Add your physical address (or town/city and county) in the footer of your website. This will ensure it shows up across all pages of your website. 

You should also integrate your location into your “About” page and definitely add your physical address(es) to your “Contact” page. This will ensure Google knows exactly where you are and who you serve.

Create schema markup for ”local business”. Generate the code and add it to your website. You can check if they are successful.

Be mobile-friendly.

61% of mobile searchers are more likely to contact a local business if they have a mobile-friendly site. A mobile-friendly website is imperative to attracting new business, and local customers in particular. Check how responsive your website is with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.

ONLINE TIPS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

List your business.

There are numerous online directories and business listing pages which you can list your business on for free. These sites are super important for local SEO and search intent purposes. Such places include Yell, Bing and others.

There is a handy checker to identify where you are already listed, and where you are not. There are also many paid-for services which will update all the citations for you.

NOTE: You MUST ensure consistency between your name, address, and phone number information (referred to as NAP) all over the internet. If you don’t keep it consistent, Google will penalise your website.

Get listed in local directories.

You will find there are many local directories and listings in your area. A quick google search will highlight these local directories (check councils websites, chambers of commerce etc) You can submit free business listings with your details.

This helps with backlinks for your website which increases domain authority, and also helps locals find you.

Some you should be aware of for Surrey:

• Waverley Business Listing
• Surrey Chamber of Commerce
• Surrey Circle
• Get Surrey

There will also be listings and directories for your local town and village.

For example:
This is Haslemere
Haslemere Chamber of Commerce

NOTE: You MUST ensure consistency between your name, address, and phone number information (referred to as NAP) all over the internet. If you don’t keep it consistent, Google will penalise your website.

Claim Your Google Business Profile.

Sign up for a Google Business Profile. Ensure that you provide accurate information such as your location, operating hours, and contact details. This not only helps customers find you easily but also enhances your credibility in local search results.

For more on your Google Business Profile – read this blog.

Collect and Showcase Local Testimonials.

Encourage satisfied customers from your area to leave positive reviews and testimonials on your website or social media pages. Displaying these testimonials prominently will build trust with potential customers and reinforce your reputation within the local community.

Set-up Google Ads.

Google Ads offer targeted reach, cost-effectiveness, and measurable results for local businesses. Leveraging Google’s widespread usage, ads reach potential customers during relevant searches. Precise geographic targeting engages local audiences efficiently. Pay-per-click ensures budget control. Detailed analytics track ad performance for optimisation. Flexible ad formats cater to specific goals and audiences, enhancing effectiveness.

Utilising Google Ads gives local businesses a competitive edge, driving increased visibility, customer engagement, and revenue growth.

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS FOR YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS

Engage in Online Networking Groups.

Join local networking groups on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. Participate actively by interacting with posts. You’ll also benefit from attending their face-to-face networking events, and booking onto relevant business gatherings. 

Some notable groups include:

• Surrey Local Business
  • Get FREE advertising to 5k Surrey Businesses with Amber
• Business Buzz Surrey
• Womens Work Social
• Surrey Business Expo
• Surrey Expo
• Biz Buzz Surrey
• Surrey Chamber Commerce

Leverage Local Hashtags.

Utilise local hashtags such as #SurreyNetworking on Instagram to connect with local businesses and potential customers. Additionally, identify and use other popular local hashtags related to your industry or niche to increase the discoverability of your posts.

A few examples:

#surrey #surreylife #surreyhills #surreybusiness #surreymums #surreymummy #waverley #surreymum #surreysmallbusiness #surreyuk #smallbusinesssurrey #discoversurrey #surreybusinesswomen #surreybusinesses #thesurreycircle #surreybiz #surreymarketing #surreyladies #mumsinsurrey #surreynetwork #surreytowns #surreybloggersuk #coworkingsurrey #connectsurrey

Optimise your Social Bios for Local Search.

Update your location across all your social media bios.

In Instagram, navigate to Edit Profile > Under Public business information > Click on Contact options > Address > Add your town/County > Save.

Add your Location to your social posts.

Before Sharing a Post, navigate to “Add location” and add your physical company location. If you cover a few different areas, mix it up.

Engage with Local Facebook Groups & Community Boards.

Join and actively participate in local Facebook community boards by commenting on posts, answering questions, and offering helpful advice. Building relationships with other members can increase the visibility of your business and create a positive reputation. There will be many Facebook groups relevant to your industry or business niche, as well as community boards.

Share insights, answer questions, and provide valuable information to establish yourself as a knowledgeable resource within the local community.

Advertise in Local Facebook Community Boards.

Posting about your business on local Facebook Community Boards is FREE advertising to locals in your area, direct into their facebook feeds. Instead of just posting adverts, share authentic content that showcases your business’s personality, values, and offerings. This could include behind-the-scenes glimpses, customer testimonials, or stories about your journey as a business owner.

Many Facebook Community Boards become rather big and full of business owners, and they (quite rightly) come with often confusing rules and regulations on when you are allowed to “advertise” with them.

TIP: You can almost certainly share useful content and engage with the community at anytime. However, for the straight out business offers, adverts and contest if you don’t follow the rules, you can be faced with post deletion or even a permanent ban.

Printable list of all your local Facebook Community Board advertising Rules

Run Targeted Facebook Ads.

Consider running Facebook Ads targeting local businesses in your area. Customise your ad content to resonate with the interests and needs of your local audience, and set specific geographic parameters to ensure that your ad reaches the right people. 

Facebook Ads can be used for gaining more followers, increasing awareness or generating leads. With an awesome lead magnet you can get hundreds of new leads right in your database.

OFFLINE TIPS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Explore Co-working Opportunities.

Take advantage of face-to-face co-working opportunities offered by local spaces. 

These spaces not only provide a conducive environment for work but also foster collaboration and networking among local entrepreneurs.

• Hasleworks in Haslemere
• BASE in Bordon
• Well and Good Godalming in Godalming
• Womens Work Social – free co-working for women in Haslemere & Cranleigh
• The Space Coworking in Farnham.

Build Local Partnerships.

Strengthen your local credibility by building relationships with other businesses or industry associations in Surrey. Include links to these partners on your website and social channels, and seek backlinks from them to improve your local search rankings.

Attend Local Events and Expos.

Take advantage of local business expos and events such as Surrey Business Expo and Surrey Expo to showcase your products or services, network with other businesses, and attract potential customers.

You may want to just attend and network, or consider booking a booth to showcase your brand. You can give away some free gifts to keep your business front of mind.

Branded merch ideas for local businesses: car air fresheners, sports locker/trolley coin keyrings, mouse mats, USB heated mug coaster, pens, notepads.

Local Sponsorship.

Consider sponsoring your local sports team, a school event, local raffle, or non-for-profit fundraiser. This is a great way to get your business name in front of new, local customers. It also positions your business as part of the community. Sponsorship strategy allows you to showcase your brand on signage, marketing materials, and even team kits.

Offer Local Discounts or Promotions.

Attract local customers by offering exclusive discounts or promotions for residents of Surrey. Promote these offers through your website, social media channels, and local advertising platforms to drive foot traffic and boost sales.

Competitions are a great way to generate new followers or data for your business. Set it up on social media, give people a juicy prize and watch the entries come rolling in. Don’t forget it’s the runners up who are your hot leads – offer them a discount even if they haven’t won, and try to convert them at a later date.

By implementing these 19 local marketing strategies, small business owners in Surrey can enhance their online presence, expand their reach, and ultimately drive growth in their local market. 

Remember, consistency and engagement are key to establishing a strong foothold in the competitive digital landscape. Start implementing these local marketing tips today and watch your business thrive in Surrey’s vibrant ecosystem.