How to Get More Customers Online as a Small Business (Without a Big Budget)
How to Get More Customers Online as a Small Business (Without a Big Budget)
If you're a small business owner, you've probably heard that you need to "be online" to succeed. But what does that actually mean in practice? And how do you do it without spending thousands of pounds?
Here are the most effective things you can do right now.
1. Get a Professional Website
This is the foundation of everything else. Without a website, you're invisible to anyone searching online for what you offer.
Your website doesn't need to be complicated — it just needs to clearly explain:
- What you do
- Where you're based
- How to contact you
- Why customers should choose you
Tools like ReadyWebsiteGo let you build a professional website in minutes without any technical knowledge, starting completely free.
2. Claim Your Google Business Profile
This is free and incredibly powerful. A Google Business Profile means your business appears on Google Maps and in local search results when people search for what you do nearby.
To set it up:
- Go to
business.google.com - Search for your business name
- Claim it (or create a new listing)
- Add your address, hours, phone number, and photos
- Ask customers to leave you a review
This single step can send you a steady stream of local customers at zero cost.
3. Get Reviews (and Respond to Them)
Reviews are word-of-mouth for the internet age. A business with 20 genuine 5-star reviews will almost always get chosen over a competitor with none.
After completing a job or serving a customer:
- Ask them to leave a Google review
- Send a follow-up message with the direct link
- Respond to every review — both positive and negative
4. Be Active on Social Media (Selectively)
You don't need to be on every platform. Pick one where your customers actually spend time:
- Instagram — great for visual businesses (food, beauty, interiors, fitness)
- Facebook — good for local community engagement
- LinkedIn — useful for B2B or professional services
Post consistently — even once or twice a week — rather than a burst of activity followed by silence.
5. Local SEO: Get Found in "Near Me" Searches
When someone searches "plumber near me" or "best café in Manchester", Google shows results based on:
- How close the business is to the searcher
- How complete and accurate the business listing is
- How many good reviews it has
- Whether the business has a website that mentions the location
Make sure your website clearly mentions your town, area, and the services you offer. This is free and makes a real difference.
6. Don't Overlook Email
If you have a list of past customers, email is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to stay in touch. A simple monthly email with news, offers, or tips can bring back repeat business.
Free tools like Mailchimp let you send up to 500 emails a month for free.
Start With the Basics
You don't need to do everything at once. Start with:
- A professional website
- A Google Business Profile
- Ask your best customers for reviews
Those three things alone will put you ahead of most of your local competition.
Ready to get your website? Try ReadyWebsiteGo free today at readywebsitego.com.