The Best Ways to Promote Your Business Online (Backed by What’s Working in 2025)

The best ways to promote your business online combine SEO, social media, content, partnerships, and conversion tactics to grow visibility and drive sales.

There’s no single silver bullet. But the right stack of proven strategies (executed consistently) can take your business from hidden to high-performing.

Here are 21 that are working right now

1. Partner with Complementary Brands

One of the fastest ways to grow your reach online? Leverage someone else’s audience without competing for it.

That’s the power of a well-executed brand partnership.

Example: Let’s say you run a direct-to-consumer granola brand. Instead of going solo on your next campaign, you team up with a cold brew coffee company. Together, you create a limited-edition “Breakfast Better” bundle. Each brand promotes it to their email lists, Instagram followers, and adds a banner to their homepage.

What happens next?

You instantly reach thousands of new, targeted customers
You build credibility through association
You split the marketing lift and costs

How to pull it off:

🤝 Identify Strategic Partners
Identify brands with aligned values and audiences.

💡 Pitch a Win-Win Idea
Product bundle, giveaway, webinar, or content swap.

🎯 Set Goals & Responsibilities
Define KPIs and who's doing what.

📣 Launch Across Channels
Use email, social, SMS, blog—on both sides.

📊 Track Performance
Use UTM links to measure lift from collaboration.

No ad spend. No cold traffic.
Just smart, strategic collaboration that moves the needle.

2. Create a Business Profile on Google

If you're not showing up on Google, you're invisible to a huge chunk of potential customers, especially local ones.

Creating a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the easiest and most effective ways to promote your business online, even if you don’t have a physical storefront.

Why it works: When someone searches “[your product/service] near me,” your profile can pop up with your hours, phone number, reviews, and even a direct link to your site. You’re literally showing up right when they’re ready to act.

Here’s how to do it:

Visit Google Business Profile and claim your listing
Add your name, address, phone, hours, and website
Upload high-quality images of your product, team, or location
Write a compelling business description with local SEO keywords
Ask happy customers to leave reviews, and respond to them

Pro tip:

Keep your info updated and post weekly (photos, promos, events). Google loves fresh activity, and it increases your chances of showing up in the Map Pack.

3. Invest in SEO

Search engine optimization isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s your long-term traffic engine.

The best part? You’re not paying for every click. With the right strategy, SEO brings in high-intent visitors who are already searching for what you sell.

🔍 Keyword Research
Find what your ideal customers are Googling.

📄 On-page SEO
Optimize titles, meta descriptions, and headings.

⚙️ Technical SEO
Improve site speed, mobile responsiveness, and site structure.

✍️ Content
Publish helpful blog posts, buying guides, and product-focused content.

🛍️ Product Pages
Make sure they rank with optimized copy, alt text, and internal links.

Example: A skincare brand writes a blog post titled “Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin in Summer”. It ranks on page one. Over time, that one post drives thousands of free clicks, month after month.

SEO takes time to build, but once it’s working, it compounds. You attract the right people, reduce CAC, and boost conversions without relying solely on ads.

4. Participate in Online Events and Discussions

Want to build authority and visibility without spending a dime? Get in the room where your customers already hang out, digitally.

Online events are today’s networking goldmine. Think webinars, Twitter/X chats, LinkedIn Lives, Reddit AMAs. When done right, they position you as the go-to expert in your space.

Example: A founder of a sustainable pet brand joins a Twitter chat about eco-conscious living. She shares tips, product insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at sourcing. The thread gains traction, her brand gets mentioned, and new followers head to her site.

Here’s how to tap in:

Search for upcoming events related to your niche
Join as a panelist, guest, or active participant
Share helpful, authentic insights (not sales pitches)
Link to a relevant freebie or blog post when it makes sense
Follow up with new connections after the event

You don’t need a massive following, just valuable input and consistency. Every event you show up to is a chance to grow your presence and win trust.

5. Use Social Sharing and Bookmarking Sites

If you’re creating content, don’t just post and pray but distribute it where people already look for answers.

Platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Flipboard are goldmines for traffic and backlinks when used strategically.

Example: You run a fitness gear brand and drop a detailed guide on “How to Build a Home Gym Under $500” into a relevant Reddit thread. It gets upvoted, shared, and starts driving consistent site traffic.

How to use them right:

🔎 Find Niche Threads
Discover topics your audience cares about.

💡 Share Helpful Content
Provide real value, not just links.

➕ Add Value First
Engage before asking for clicks.

📈 Track Traffic
Use tools like Sniply or Bitly to measure impact.

These platforms reward relevance and honesty.
Nail that, and they’ll send targeted traffic your way.

6. Test Retargeting Ads

Most shoppers won’t buy the first time they visit so retargeting gives you a second shot.

Use platforms like Meta, Google, or TikTok to show personalized ads to people who viewed your products, abandoned their carts, or visited key pages.

Example: Someone checks out your best-selling backpack but bounces. A few hours later, they see a TikTok ad with UGC showing how it holds up on hikes. Now they’re back and buying.

How to set it up:

Install your pixel or tracking code
Segment audiences (product views, cart abandoners, email subscribers)
Use urgency-driven creative and strong CTAs
A/B test messaging and timing

Retargeting isn’t annoying when it’s relevant. Done right, it’s one of the highest-ROI moves you can make.

7. Write Articles and Guest Blog Posts

Want to get in front of a new audience and build credibility at the same time? Guest posting is effective when done correctly.

Skip the spammy backlink strategy. Focus on delivering value to real readers on trusted sites in your niche.

Example: You sell eco-friendly cookware. You write a guest post for a sustainable living blog: “5 Hidden Toxins in Most Cookware (and How to Avoid Them)”. The post links to your site, earns shares, and drives high-quality traffic.

How to get started:

🔍 Find Sites Your Audience Reads
Discover where your audience spends time online.

💡 Pitch Helpful Topics
Offer value-driven, non-promotional ideas.

🎯 Include CTA or Lead Magnet
Encourage engagement and capture leads.

Share the article across your channels.
Strong guest content builds trust, authority, and long-tail traffic without paying for ads.

8. Create Micro-Content for Social Feeds

Want more reach without creating more content from scratch? Break down your long-form content into bite-sized pieces made for social.

Show up consistently with high-value micro content that’s easy to consume and easy to share.

Example: You record a podcast episode on “How to Scale a DTC Brand from $1M to $10M.” From that one episode, you create a Twitter thread, 3 short Reels, an Instagram carousel, a quote graphic, and a LinkedIn post. Now you’ve turned one asset into six and you’re showing up everywhere.

How to get started:

Take your blog posts, videos, or podcasts and chop them into smaller pieces
Turn key stats, quotes, or tips into carousels, memes, or short-form videos
Format content specifically for each platform (Reels, LinkedIn posts, tweets, etc.)
Use tools like Canva, Descript, or Opus Clip to speed up the process

Micro-content keeps your brand top of mind, builds momentum, and multiplies the impact of every idea.

9. Get Local Press Coverage

Pitch your story to local news outlets, blogs, and business magazines. Great for trust-building and SEO.

Local press might not seem like a big win, but it builds instant credibility, earns quality backlinks, and gets your name in front of a loyal, engaged audience.

Example: You launch a zero-waste refill store in your hometown. You pitch your founding story to the city’s lifestyle blog. They feature you in a “Small Businesses to Watch” roundup. It drives a spike in traffic, new customers, and a .edu backlink that boosts your domain authority.

How to get started:

📰 Identify Local Outlets
Look for local publications, podcasts, and event sites.

✉️ Pitch with Purpose
Share what makes your story timely or unique.

📸 Build a Press Kit
Include images, quotes, and helpful links.

📈 Make it Relevant
Tie your story to launches, trends, or milestones.

Local coverage might be small-scale, but it punches above its weight when it comes to SEO, authority, and brand trust.

10. Publish Compelling Social Media Posts (Often)

Post value-first content consistently. Use storytelling, visuals, and CTAs to boost engagement and reach.

Showing up once a week won’t cut it. Social is noisy, so consistency and clarity win. Post with purpose.

Example: You run a supplement brand. Instead of only pushing products, you share daily tips, behind-the-scenes videos, and customer transformations. One Reel goes viral, driving 40k views and a 3x spike in site traffic, all without spending on ads.

How to get started:

Share a mix of educational, entertaining, and product-driven content
Use strong hooks in the first 2 seconds to stop the scroll
Post consistently (minimum 3–5x per week) across 1–2 core platforms
Include calls-to-action: “Save this,” “Comment below,” “Tag a friend”
Analyze performance weekly and double down on what works

Great content builds community and trust before they ever hit your product page.

11. Automate Word-of-Mouth with Social Reviews

Encourage customers to leave Google and Facebook reviews. Automate asks via email or SMS post-purchase.

You don’t need to beg for reviews, but you need a system that asks at the right time, in the right way. Social proof is a conversion booster, trust signal, and SEO asset all in one.

Example: An outdoor gear brand sets up a post-purchase email asking for a Google review 7 days after delivery. They offer 10% off the next order as a thank-you. Review volume triples, and those reviews start showing up in search results.

How to get started:

📬 Set up Review Requests
Use Klaviyo, Postscript, or your ESP.

⏱️ Time it Right
5–10 days after delivery, when excitement is highest.

🔗 Make It Easy
Use direct links to review platforms.

Offer a small reward, repurpose 5-star reviews, and let real customers do the selling.

12. Launch a Loyalty Program

It’s hard enough to win a customer. Keeping them? That’s where the real money is.

A strong loyalty program turns one-time buyers into repeat customers and repeat customers into superfans. Not because they’re points-obsessed, but because you’ve given them a reason to keep coming back.

Think beyond basic punch cards.
Offer early access to drops. Exclusive bundles. Birthday gifts. Referral perks. Even a “VIP-only” Discord or Slack channel. Loyalty isn’t just about rewards but also recognition.

Example: A DTC coffee brand launches a tiered rewards program. Bronze, Silver, Gold. Each tier unlocks new perks: discounts, free shipping, and limited-release blends. Customers start buying more just to level up. LTV goes up. Churn drops. Everybody wins.

Start simple:

Use a plug-and-play tool like Smile.io or LoyaltyLion
Let people earn points for purchases, reviews, and referrals
Tie rewards to products they actually want, not just freebies collecting dust
Promote it post-purchase, in emails, and across your site

Loyalty programs are a subtle flex. A way to say “we value you,” and mean it.

13. Email Marketing Still Works

Here’s the truth: email is still one of the highest-converting channels in your stack. If it’s not performing, it’s not because email is dead. It’s because your strategy is.

The brands winning with email in 2025 aren’t blasting generic newsletters. They’re sending behavior-based flows, personalized product recs, and story-driven campaigns that actually feel human.

Example: A skincare brand segments its list by skin type. Someone buys a moisturizer for dry skin? They automatically get a follow-up series with hydration tips, serum bundles, and UGC from people just like them. The experience feels relevant, not robotic, and conversions jump.

What to focus on:

📖 Tell your story, share bestsellers, and convert first-time visitors

🛒 Remind, reassure, and add urgency for abandoned carts

🔄 Set expectations, cross-sell, and build loyalty post-purchase

📬 Bring back inactive customers with fresh offers or product drops

🧠 Create consistent content that educates, entertains, and sells

✉️ Also: test subject lines relentlessly. Use plain text when it makes sense. And don’t be afraid to show personality. Your emails should sound like a person, not a brand style guide.

14. Enable Shopping on Instagram

If someone discovers your product while scrolling, let them buy it right there.

Tag products in Reels, Stories, and posts. Build out your Instagram Shop so your grid doubles as a storefront. Fewer clicks mean more conversions.

Example: A jewelry brand drops a new collection and tags every piece in a carousel. Fans tap, browse, and check out, all without leaving the app. Clean, fast, frictionless.

Quick setup checklist:

Connect your product catalog via Meta Commerce Manager
Tag products in every post, Reel, and Story
Organize your shop by collections or launches
Use Highlights for evergreen collections (“Gifts,” “Best Sellers,” etc.)

15. Find Affiliates to Promote Your Business

Want to scale without burning ad dollars? Build a network of people who only get paid when they drive results.

Affiliate marketing is simple: they promote, they convert, you both win.

Example: A wellness brand launches a program with Refersion and recruits nutritionists, creators, and existing customers. Each gets a unique code and earns 20% per sale. No upfront spend. Just pure performance.

How to make it work:

16. Get Listed in Online Directories

It’s not glamorous, but it works. Online directories boost your credibility, improve your local SEO, and help customers find you when they’re ready to buy.

Yelp, BBB, Angi, Google Business Profile: these listings can make or break local visibility.

Example: A home cleaning service adds its business to every relevant directory in its region. Within weeks, they start showing up for “cleaning service near me” without spending a dime on ads.

How to do it right:

Focus on high-authority and niche-specific directories
Keep NAP (name, address, phone) info consistent everywhere
Add photos, service descriptions, and links to your site
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on multiple platforms

It’s set-it-and-forget-it traffic, and it builds trust with search engines and humans.

17. Get on TikTok

TikTok isn’t optional anymore. It’s where attention lives.

Whether you're educating, entertaining, or showing off your product in action, TikTok’s algorithm rewards creativity.

Example: A small skincare brand posts a behind-the-scenes video of how they package orders. It’s raw, real, and totally unpolished, and it hits 500k views. Sales spike for two days straight.

How to get started:

📹 Post Short, Authentic Videos
3–5x a week

🎬 Show the Process
The people, the story

🎵 Use Trending Sounds
If they fit your brand

💬 Reply to Comments
With follow-up videos to boost engagement

18. Go Live With Your Followers

There’s no better way to build trust than showing up in real time.

Live video brings connection, urgency, and unfiltered transparency, whether you’re demoing a product, launching a drop, or just talking shop.

Example: A beauty brand hosts a weekly “Skincare Sunday” on IG Live. The founder answers questions, shows how to use products, and teases what’s launching next. Viewers get hooked. Sales follow immediately after each session.

How to use Lives effectively:

Schedule them consistently and promote in advance
Focus on value: demos, Q&A, tutorials, BTS
Engage with comments live to boost reach
Save the recording and repurpose clips for Reels or TikTok

The brands that go live build loyalty. The ones that don’t stay forgettable.

19. Invest in Infographics

People don’t share product pages. They share insights.

Infographics take complex info, like data, steps, comparisons, and turn it into something people actually want to read and repost.

Example: A supplements brand turns its whitepaper into a one-page visual guide: “The Science of Sleep in 5 Steps.” It gets embedded in blogs, picked up by health forums, and earns quality backlinks that drive organic traffic.

How to do it well:

Focus on one core idea per graphic
Use tools like Canva, Figma, or hire a designer to keep it clean
Embed in your blog, pitch to media, and post across social
Add your logo and URL to every graphic, and make sharing work for you

Infographics are content workhorses. One good one can drive traffic, links, and brand authority for months.

20. Optimize Your Website for Conversions

A killer ad or social post can drive traffic, but if your site doesn’t convert, it’s wasted spend.

Your site is your sales machine. And every click should have a clear path to action.

Example: A fashion brand cuts homepage clutter, improves mobile UX, and adds sticky “Add to Cart” buttons. Bounce rate drops. Conversion rate jumps by 38%. No new traffic, just smarter design.

Where to focus:

Speed matters, so run your site through PageSpeed Insights and fix the lag
Make CTAs bold, obvious, and above the fold
Simplify your nav and cut dead-end pages
Optimize for mobile first, it’s where most buyers are
Use tools like Hotjar or Lucky Orange to spot where users drop off

Small tweaks can mean big revenue. Don’t sleep on the details.

21. Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube is a search engine with massive buying intent.

Video content builds trust, educates prospects, and ranks on Google long after you hit publish.

Example: A supplement brand drops a “What Happens to Your Body When You Take Magnesium” video. It ranks on both YouTube and Google for months, pulls in thousands of views, and quietly drives recurring sales.

How to start smart:

Focus on questions your customers already ask
Use clear titles, strong thumbnails, and real search terms
Keep intros short and deliver value fast
Link to your products or lead magnets in every description

One good video can drive traffic for years. And that’s compounding value you can’t buy with ads.

22. Create Valuable Content (Consistently)

Content is a long-term growth engine.

The brands that win are the ones who teach, share, and show up. Whether it’s a blog, podcast, video series, or newsletter, consistent content builds authority and trust.

Example: A niche cookware brand launches a weekly blog with tips, recipes, and buyer guides. SEO traffic climbs. The email list grows. Customers trust them before they even click "Buy."

Your move:

Pick a format you can stick to
Focus on your audience’s problems, not your products
Publish regularly as consistency builds momentum
Repurpose across channels to stretch every idea

Good content brings people in. Great content keeps them coming back.

23. Join Online Forums and Communities

Your audience is already out there asking questions, swapping ideas, and looking for solutions. You just need to show up.

Reddit, Indie Hackers, Facebook groups, Discord servers: these places are full of people who could be your next customers.

Example: A bootstrapped SaaS founder joins a few active Subreddits. Instead of pitching, he answers questions, shares insights, and links to his tool only when relevant. Over time, his traffic and trial signups grow with no ad spend needed.

To do it right:

Join forums that are niche and active
Give value before dropping links
Answer real questions with real experience
Build a reputation before pushing your product

It’s the long game, but it works. Help first, sell later.

📌 Key Takeaways

✅ There’s no one-size-fits-all. Mix organic, paid, and community-driven tactics.
✅ Consistency beats hacks: post, test, iterate, repeat
✅ The best promotion starts with understanding your audience and showing up where they already are

FAQs

What’s the best way to promote your business online?

There’s no single tactic, but the most effective approach blends SEO, content, paid ads, and email marketing. The key is aligning everything to your ideal customer and showing up consistently.

Which platform is best for online business promotion?

It depends on your audience, but Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Google, TikTok, and YouTube are leading the pack in 2025. Use each platform for what it does best: search, discovery, engagement, or intent.

What are some free ways to promote a business online?

Plenty. Start with SEO, organic social, a Google Business Profile, online directories, and community engagement (like Reddit or Facebook groups). Content marketing can go a long way without a big budget.

How do I promote my business on social media?

Post value-driven content regularly. Use short-form video. Work with creators. Test paid ads. And most importantly, engage. Social is a two-way street.

What are the 5 P’s or C’s of online marketing?

Frameworks vary, but a solid foundation includes:

Content (what you create)
Channel (where you distribute)
Customer (who you’re targeting)
Conversion (what action you want)

Community (how you build trust and connection)

Need help building a performance-driven online marketing plan?

Porter Media helps eCommerce brands turn visibility into profit.

Contact US

and let’s scale smarter.