Every business needs customers, but finding new ones, especially online, can feel overwhelming. With so many platforms, tools, and marketing tactics out there, it’s easy to get stuck wondering what actually works. The good news? You don’t need to be a marketing expert to attract more customers.
Whether you’re running a café in your local suburb, providing trade services, or launching a small online store, there are simple and effective ways to grow your business. This guide is designed to walk you through practical steps you can take today, using plain language and examples that make sense.
Know Your Audience
Understanding who you’re trying to reach is the first step to growing your customer base. Without knowing who your ideal customer is, you risk wasting time and money marketing to the wrong crowd.
To better understand your audience, you should:
- Look at your current customers. Who are your regulars? What do they have in common?
- Think about the problems your business solves. Do you make life easier, cheaper, faster, or more enjoyable?
- Ask your customers for feedback. Simple surveys or friendly chats can reveal what they love and what they’d like improved.
- Use tools like Google Analytics (free) to learn about your website visitors, where they live, what devices they use, and what pages they visit most.
Once you know your audience, it’s easier to speak their language, attract more leads, and run better marketing campaigns.
Use Social Media to drive traffic to your website
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are free ways to grow your audience and stay top of mind. They also help businesses build brand recognition and connect with customers quickly.
What to post:
- Behind-the-scenes photos of your business.
- Customer shoutouts or testimonials.
- Special offers, new arrivals, or promotions.
- Quick tips or helpful how-to videos.
You can also run paid social media ads to find new customers:
- Start with a small budget ($5-10/day).
- Target people based on location, interests or job title.
- Use a strong photo and a short, clear message.
Social media marketing gives you a direct line to your community and makes it easier to attract local customers and clients.
Find new customers by running Simple Online Ads That Get Results
Online advertising doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. It just needs to be focused.
- Use Google Ads to appear when people search for what you offer (like “dog grooming Brisbane”).
- Facebook and Instagram Ads are great for local awareness or special deals.
- Always send ad traffic to a page that matches the offer (not just your homepage).
Track your results:
- How many people clicked?
- Did they take action?
- What did it cost per lead or sale?
Online ads help you attract new leads and build awareness of your business quickly.
Ask Happy Customers for Referrals
Asking for referrals is one of the easiest ways to find new customers. People trust recommendations from friends and family more than any ad.
- After a sale, send a thank-you message and ask if they’d refer you.
- Offer a reward (discount, freebie, gift card) to both the referrer and the new customer.
- Make it easy with a link, a QR code, or a referral card.
Customer referrals are cost-effective and can help grow your business through genuine word-of-mouth.
Host events to promote your business
Plan in-store events or online gatherings to showcase your business and meet potential customers. Events are a powerful way to build relationships and drive new sales.
Ideas:
- Run a demo of your product (in-store or livestream).
- Host a local “business open night” or co-host with nearby businesses.
- Offer free workshops related to your business (e.g. skincare tips, bike maintenance).
Use email, social media, and community groups to promote your events. Be sure to collect attendee details for follow-up marketing.
Use Tools to Stay Organised and Save Time
Marketing software helps businesses manage leads and customer relationships without extra stress. A CRM (Customer Relationship Manager) makes it easier to keep track of sales, contact history, and follow-ups.
- Store customer contact info and notes.
- See which clients are due for a follow-up.
- Automate your emails or appointment reminders.
Plenty of simple tools are available for free or low cost. Start with software like Mailchimp for email, or HubSpot CRM to manage leads.
Try Email Marketing to Stay in Touch
Email marketing is still one of the best ways to connect with your audience. It helps turn first-time customers into loyal ones.
How to get started:
- Collect emails using your website or in-store.
- Offer something useful for signing up (e.g. discount, checklist).
- Send helpful updates, tips, or special offers.
Email campaigns are a low-cost way to keep your brand top of mind and encourage repeat sales.
Create a Website That Works Hard for You
Advertising your business is only one part of the equation. It’s just as important to have a great website that converts leads into customers. It should be welcoming, fast, and easy to use.
Here’s how to improve it:
- Make sure it loads quickly, especially on phones.
- Check that all links and buttons work properly.
- Use clear calls to action like “Book Now” or “Contact Us”.
- Highlight what makes your business special.
- Add real customer reviews to build trust.
If you run an e-commerce business:
- Keep the checkout process simple.
- Offer secure payment options.
- Send follow-up emails to thank customers and ask for reviews.
A strong website helps you attract leads, support your sales process, and build brand trust.
Don’t have a website yet? Set one up using WordPress.
Try networking in your Local Community
Networking with other local businesses can help you grow your business and find new customers.
Ways to network:
- Join your local Chamber of Commerce or business group.
- Attend expos, stalls, or community events.
- Partner with local businesses to cross-promote to each other’s audiences.
These partnerships help expand your reach, build your reputation, and support your community.
Track what works for your business (And What Doesn’t)
You don’t need to be a data expert to keep an eye on what’s working. This helps you spend your time and money on the right marketing.
- Look at your website traffic: where are people coming from?
- Track what offers, events, or social media posts get the most attention.
- Compare how different campaigns or ads perform.
Use tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, or a spreadsheet to keep track.
Final Thoughts
No matter how great your website, ads, or email campaigns are, none of them matter if your website is slow, unreliable, or constantly offline. That’s why choosing the right web hosting is one of the smartest moves you can make to grow your business online.
A high-quality business hosting plan gives your website the speed, security, and stability it needs to handle customer traffic, process sales, and build trust with new visitors. If your site loads too slowly or goes down during a promotion, you risk losing leads and sales.
VentraIP’s Business Web Hosting is built for small Australian businesses that want reliability without the hassle. You’ll get powerful performance, easy email setup, built-in backups, and local 24/7 support, all on Australian servers. It’s everything you need to run a fast, professional website that helps you attract and retain customers.
If you’re serious about using your website to grow your business, don’t let slow hosting hold you back. Explore VentraIP Business Hosting and give your business the foundation it needs to succeed online.
