So, you’ve finally decided to take the leap and launch your own small business. Whether it’s a local coffee shop, a creative consultancy, or a side hustle you’ve been building after hours, getting the wheels turning is one thing—but getting noticed is something else entirely. If you’re not showing up online, you’re basically invisible.
Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or take months of SEO to start making an impact. With the right strategy and the clever use of online directories and blog platforms, you can start attracting local customers, building authority, and generating leads from the get-go.
Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Nail the Basics—But Do It Fast
Every small business needs a few essentials in place before you start shouting from the rooftops. That includes:
- A solid business name and logo
- A basic (but well-written) website or landing page
- Google Business Profile set up and verified
- Social media accounts (start with just one or two)
These don’t need to be perfect—they need to exist. You can refine them as you go. But if someone hears about your business and Googles you, they need to find something useful. Now, onto the part that many people miss: making sure people actually see you online.
Step 2: Get Listed on Online Business Directories
Local directories aren’t just for plumbers and florists—they’re one of the fastest ways to improve your visibility, especially if you’re targeting customers in a specific area.
Here’s how they help:
- You get high-quality backlinks to your site (Google loves these)
- You’re more likely to show up in search results for local queries
- People can find your business even if they don’t know your name yet
If you’re an Australian business, Suburb Local is a great place to start. It’s designed to spotlight small, local businesses and helps people discover you based on location or service type. You can create a profile with your business description, opening hours, photos, and a link to your website—making it a one-stop-shop for potential customers.
Other great listings to look into include Yellow Pages, True Local, and industry-specific directories.
Step 3: Leverage Blog Platforms to Build Authority
Directories get you discovered. Blogs get you remembered.
If you want people to take your business seriously—and position yourself as more than just a name in a list—contributing to external blogs is a smart move.
Take Man Manual and Small But Mighty as examples.
- If you’re a male entrepreneur starting a side hustle, Man Manual is the perfect platform to share your business story, startup lessons, or industry tips with a like-minded audience.
- If you’re a small business owner, Small But Mighty lets you tap into a community that’s all about smart marketing, lean operations, and real-world success stories.
Writing guest posts or being featured on platforms like these gives your brand:
- Credibility – you’re seen as someone who knows their stuff
- Reach – you access a built-in audience you didn’t have to grow yourself
- Content – you can share the article on your socials and website
Don’t have time to write? You can still get featured through a quick Q&A interview, product spotlight, or startup showcase.
Step 4: Link It All Together
The secret sauce is this: every directory listing, every blog post, every profile should link back to your site or your socials. But don’t stop there. Link your blog features on your website, mention your Suburb Local listing on social media, and repurpose your articles into email content or reels.
This creates a loop of visibility—so no matter where someone discovers you, they’ll find more reasons to trust and engage with your business.
Start Small, Start Smart with Digital Marketing
You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need to rank on page one of Google overnight. But you do need to show up. And by using free, trusted platforms like Suburb Local, Man Manual, and Small But Mighty, you’re already ahead of the game.
Start with:
- A solid directory listing
- One great blog feature
- A consistent loop of content across your touchpoints
Then build from there. With time and consistency, people will know your name—and your business will grow.
