How to Advertise Locally for Free on the Internet

Co-authored by Ross Taylor and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: February 25, 2023 References Approved

The internet is a fantastic resource for promoting your business, services, or events for free. It can also feel a little overwhelming, especially when you're trying to target just a local audience. Don't worry! There are plenty of websites tailored to local advertising and even large search engines give you local advertising options. Read on for some great ways to get started.

1

Design a simple online ad.

Use a free website to make an ad that promotes your product or service. When it comes to effective advertising, simple is better! Your audience should be able to glance at the ad and immediately tell what it's promoting. Don't forget to include the name of the product or your business along with important info like your phone number, business address, or website.^{[1]
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- You can find lots of free ad creators like Creatopy, Canva, and Lucidpress.
- For instance, if you have a flower shop, use a single bouquet or flower for your ad instead of a stock photo of a couple. Put the name of your store, its hours, and the shop's phone number.

2

Post on community pages on social media.

Establish Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. You might not think of these big tech companies as local, but you can use them to create free event pages or share info with a local audience. Sure, you can also buy ads, but if you're not into paying, you can make free posts promoting products, tweets about services you offer, or images of events and products. Include links to your website so people can learn more about your business, event, or services.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Ross Taylor
Marketing Expert
Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.}
- Don't forget small online communities like https://nextdoor.com/. You'll register an account to get access to a neighborhood community app.
- Use visuals to grab people's attention. This is a great opportunity to share images of something you're selling, for instance.

3

Host a free giveaway on social media.

Create buzz around your event or product with a giveaway. Ask people to like the post, share it, or tag a friend to be entered in a drawing for something. You could give away a product like a bath bomb, offer a service like a free massage, or give out a few free tickets to your event.^{[3]
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- If you have a newsletter, encourage people to sign up for it and they'll get an entry into the drawing.

4

Engage in social media forums to share your information.

Do a keyword search on a social media site for what you're advertising. Don't forget to include your location in the search so you get results in your area. You'll need to register a personal account so you can comment, but then you can interact with a local audience. Not only can you share your business or company information, but you can get to know potential clients and answer questions they might have.^{[4]
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- For instance, if you restore classic cars, you might join a Facebook group that finds or sells vintage cars.
- Use a memorable hashtag! Come up with a hashtag that mentions your business or event and use it when you comment on other users' posts. This is a great way to get people curious and talking about your product or event.

5

Put up the ad on your local Craigslist site.

Go to Craigslist and enter your local area. From there, just click "post" to create a free advertisement. You can advertise things that you're selling or services that you provide. You can also inform your community about an event or workshop. Although it's not a flashy site, it is easy to use and completely free.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Ross Taylor
Marketing Expert
Expert Interview. 4 May 2021.}
- Find Craigslist here: https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites. You can share your ad link by email or post it to your social media accounts.
- Don't want to use Craigslist? No problem! Check out https://www.webclassifieds.us/forum/ or register on https://www.finditclassifieds.com/users/register.asp.

6

Use local business directories to put up ads.

Make listings and post them on a variety of free sites. Spend a little time going to several directory sites and sign up your business or company. Keep in mind that while these are big, national websites, by entering your information and your location, you'll come up in local directories and search results. Here are a few of the most popular ones to get you started:^{[6]
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- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau
- Angie's List
- Merchant Circle
- Local.com

7

Fire off press releases to local media.

Write a press release about the event and email it to local news agencies. Your local newspapers can publish the press release on their online events page. This is a fantastic way to generate publicity and you'll quickly reach a local audience.^{[7]
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- To write the release, include a catchy headline and come up with 2 to 3 sentences describing the event. Most news sites want you to keep the release brief, so don't add more than another paragraph. Finish up with an "About Us" section where you describe your business.

8

Place an ad on your Chamber of Commerce's website.

Look up your local chamber's business directory. Fill out their online form or call them with the information you want to advertise. They may distribute the information in a chamber newsletter or they'll feature you in their local business directory.^{[8]
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- Most times, you don't have to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce, but you should check first.
- Getting on the chamber's directory can boost your ranking on big search engines.

9

Create a website about your services, products, or event.

Do a quick search for free website builders—you have lots of options! Most online directories will require you to have a website with your company or business information. Once you sign up with a site, they'll usually have a template for you to use. This way, you'll get a simple website that lists your business information or upcoming event.^{[9]
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- To get traffic to your site, list your website on local directories and establish social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, for instance. Readers can click on those links so they're directed to your website.
- Read the fine print when you set up your website. You don't want to be surprised with fees later on.

10

Set up your own blog.

Connect with customers or event-goers in your area. You can post regular updates about products or getting ready for a show or concert, for instance. Your readers can also sign up to get notifications whenever you post new information so it's a great way to get free advertising.^{[10]
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- Update your blog frequently so you rank higher in search engine results. Readers will also be more likely to check out your blog if there's always new content.

11

Try search engine optimization (SEO) to get website traffic.

Add relevant keywords and your location to your site. Try to use the keywords several times and include them in the titles and link text so they pop up on local search engine results. SEO is really important for driving traffic to your business or company and it's totally free!^{[11]
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- For instance, if you're a plumber, you might include "Denver plumber" or "24-hour Denver plumbing" as prominent keywords on your site. This way, when someone in your area searches for a plumber, you're more likely to rank higher in the search results.
- You should also update your website regularly so you rank higher in search engine results.

12

Make a listing for your local Yellow Pages online.

Claim your business listing on Yellow Pages. Go to the website and enter your company or business name along with your contact information. The Yellow Pages will contact you to verify that the information is correct. This process might not sound helpful, but it means that search engines will be able to find your business or company much easier.^{[12]
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- Find the site here: https://www.yellowpages.com/. Remember to check the fine print so you don't accidentally sign up for paid advertising.

13

Get a listing on Google Places.

Create a free Google account for your business or company. You can list your business and set up a profile with Google. Don't forget to include keywords in your description along with your location. This way, you can target a local audience.^{[13]
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- Google Places ensures that you're sharing the most up-to-date information about your product, company, or event. It's also necessary if you want your business to show up on Google Maps.
- With Google's My Business, you can post updates on your profile and interact with customer comments

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I advertise my event online?

Ross Taylor
Marketing Expert
Ross Taylor is a Marketing Expert and the Founder of Alameda Internet Marketing. With over 10 years of experience, Ross specializes in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Ross’ boutique SEO agency is a Google Partner agency, which has been recognized for its dedication to honest communication and quality service with awards from UpCity, ThreeBestRated.com, and Clutch. Ross holds an Associate of Arts degree from Chabot College and certifications in Google AdWords and CompTIA A+.

Ross Taylor

Marketing Expert

Expert Answer

The Eventbrite website is a great resource. With Eventbrite, you can list your event for absolutely free, and include ticket prices and other helpful information
Question

Where should I advertise for house cleaning?

Community Answer

You could use any number of social networking or online classified sites.
Question

Can I publish an ad online for free? If yes, how do I do that?

Community Answer

No, not for free. You will have to pay to upload an ad online.