Read our Liverpool small business marketing guide to discover actionable tips to improving your business.
Liverpool is home to a thriving community of small businesses, each with its own story and ambition. This guide has been created to help local business owners understand the best ways to promote their products and services.
From building a strong brand to using online and offline marketing tools, you will find simple, practical tips to connect with customers and grow your presence in the city.
Whether you are just starting out or looking to refresh your marketing approach, this guide is here to support your journey.
Liverpool’s Current Business Landscape
Liverpool is a city with a proud entrepreneurial spirit and a thriving small business community. The broader Liverpool City Region now has more than 92,000 active businesses, over twice the number operating twenty years ago.
Many of these are small businesses, including family-run shops, skilled trades, and innovative start-ups. High-growth areas include fintech, e-commerce, creative digital marketing services, and renewable energy.
This variety has strengthened the region’s £33 billion economy. Digital adoption across Liverpool City Region has grown quickly, especially after the pandemic, with many businesses starting to use online tools to connect with customers.
A government-backed Made Smarter programme has supported over 400 technology adoption projects for Liverpool City Region manufacturers, unlocking £4.5 million of investment to develop skills in AI, robotics, and 3D printing. These changes are expected to create over 400 new jobs and help ensure long term growth.
Today, having a clear digital marketing strategy is essential. Research shows that most people now check a business online before visiting in person.
Many Liverpool residents use their mobile phones to search for services, and nearly half of all Google searches have local intent.
When a “near me” search is done on a mobile device, over 75% of users visit a business that same day. This means your online presence can directly increase website traffic, calls, and visits.
Liverpool’s small businesses face both opportunities and competition. To achieve success in 2025, business owners need the right guidance to reach customers where they are – on Google, review sites, and social media – and turn interest into leads.
The following sections show how to start with proven strategies that support visibility and growth in the Liverpool City Region.
Local SEO Strategies for Liverpool SMEs
Local SEO helps your business appear when local people search for your products or services.
If you are starting or running a small business in the Liverpool City Region, the right guidance can make a big difference. Here are key steps to develop your strategy and attract more customers.
Optimise for Liverpool Keywords
Use Liverpool-specific keywords in your website, marketing content, and online profiles. This includes phrases such as “emergency plumber Liverpool” or “digital marketing agency Liverpool City Region” to connect with people searching locally.
If your business idea is in retail or hospitality, mention your location clearly in titles, headings, and descriptions.
Research popular terms with tools like Google Keyword Planner. This helps you find keywords with high website traffic potential. The aim is to help search engines understand your location and services without overusing keywords.
By doing this, you create content that works for both people and search engines, supporting long term growth.
Claim and Enhance Your Google Business Profile
A complete Google Business Profile is essential for visibility in Liverpool City Region. Claim and verify your profile to gain control over how your business appears on Google Maps and local search.
This process builds trust and improves performance in search results, enabling your business to attract more local leads.
Add accurate details, your website, and clear categories. Mention Liverpool and your services in your description so customers and search engines can find you easily.
Upload images of your team, services, and location to help customers trust your business. Share updates on events, offers, and news. Manage reviews actively, thanking customers for positive feedback and responding to any issues.
Leverage Local Directories and Citations
List your Liverpool City Region business on trusted UK and local directories such as Noticed UK, Yell, and Thomson Local. Consistency is key – use the same details across all sites. Add descriptions, services, and photos to create strong profiles that drive traffic and strengthen your online presence.
These listings often link back to your website, helping your SEO. Connecting with community sites and business organisations can also provide valuable backlinks. Over time, this can grow your visibility and help you reach customers across the region.
Encourage Local Reviews and Ratings
Positive reviews support your reputation and attract new customers. Ask satisfied clients to leave reviews on Google, Noticed UK, and other platforms. Make it easy by sharing direct links in your emails or on receipts. Respond to reviews to show you value feedback.
Highlight great reviews on your website and in marketing campaigns. This improves awareness and can increase leads, making reviews an important part of your marketing strategy.
For many small businesses in Liverpool, reviews are a trusted way to grow their customer base.
Free Local Resources & Support for Liverpool Businesses
Liverpool City Region offers many free or low-cost programmes to help small businesses grow. These can provide guidance, training, and marketing opportunities to help turn your business idea into reality.
Noticed UK – Liverpool Listings
Create a free profile to connect with customers searching for trusted local businesses. A premium listing can boost visibility and website traffic.
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
Join to access events, training, and promotional opportunities. This can help you develop marketing skills and connect with other businesses in the region.
Federation of Small Businesses – Merseyside
Offers networking, legal advice, and marketing resources to help members achieve business growth.
Liverpool City Council – Business Support Programmes
Workshops, events, and one-to-one advice on marketing, website development, and finance. Many are funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Liverpool Business Fair
An annual event with workshops, exhibitors, and networking opportunities to help businesses explore new ideas and strategies.
By using these opportunities, small businesses can gain advice, resources, and connections that help maintain growth and create a stronger presence in the Liverpool City Region.
Claim Your Liverpool Business Listing – Get Noticed!
With the right strategy, your Liverpool City Region business can grow steadily and reach more customers. Start by updating all your online listings, ensuring your contact details and descriptions match.
Post regular updates, encourage reviews, and track your website traffic with free tools like Google Analytics. If certain campaigns or ads perform well, invest more in those areas.
Remember, digital marketing is an ongoing process. Consistent action over time will help you build a trusted brand, attract leads, and achieve your goals.
In the Liverpool City Region, the businesses that invest in visibility, develop clear marketing strategies, and use available support are the ones most likely to succeed.
Liverpool SMEs-Own the Map Pack.
Add your business to the Noticed UK Directory and strengthen the local signals that matter in Liverpool: consistent NAP, authoritative citations, spot-on categories, fresh hours/photos, and steady reviews.
It takes minutes and helps you show up when customers search “near me” across the city-from the Baltic Triangle to L1. Claim your free Liverpool listing now and turn local searches into sales.