Local Business Advertising on Next Door and Community Apps
When we talk about digital marketing for local businesses, the conversation usually starts with Google and Facebook. But there is a growing category of platforms that many Western Sydney business owners are overlooking: neighbourhood and community apps. These platforms connect you directly with people in your immediate area, and for local businesses, that hyper-local connection can be incredibly valuable.
What Is Nextdoor?
Nextdoor is a social networking platform designed for neighbourhoods. Unlike Facebook or Instagram, Nextdoor verifies that members actually live in the neighbourhood they join. This means every user is a genuine local resident.
In Australia, Nextdoor has been growing steadily, with suburbs across Western Sydney well represented. Residents use it to ask for recommendations, report local issues, share community news, and connect with neighbours.
Why it matters for your business: When someone on Nextdoor asks “Can anyone recommend a good plumber in Castle Hill?” the recommendations that follow carry enormous weight because they come from verified neighbours, not anonymous internet strangers.
How Businesses Can Use Nextdoor
Free Business Page
You can claim a free business page on Nextdoor. This gives you a presence on the platform and allows you to be discovered when neighbours search for businesses or services.
Setting up your page:
- Claim your business at business.nextdoor.com
- Add your business details, photos, and description
- Choose the neighbourhoods you serve
- Encourage existing customers to recommend you on the platform
Organic Recommendations
The most powerful feature on Nextdoor for businesses is the recommendation system. When a resident recommends your business, it appears on your business page and can be seen by neighbours in that area.
How to get recommendations:
- Ask satisfied customers if they are on Nextdoor and would be willing to recommend you
- Provide excellent service that naturally generates word-of-mouth
- Include Nextdoor in your post-service review request process
Paid Advertising
Nextdoor offers local advertising options that let you reach specific neighbourhoods with sponsored posts. These appear in the news feed alongside regular neighbour posts, making them feel less intrusive than traditional ads.
Advertising options include:
- Local Deals: Promote special offers to nearby neighbourhoods
- Sponsored Posts: Share business updates or promotions that appear in the feed
- Neighbourhood Sponsorships: Associate your business with a specific neighbourhood
The targeting is incredibly precise. You can choose exactly which neighbourhoods see your content, which is ideal for businesses with a defined service area.
Other Community Platforms Worth Knowing
Facebook Community Groups
We covered Facebook Groups in detail in a previous article, but they remain one of the most active community platforms in Western Sydney. Suburb-specific groups like “Parramatta Community” or “Hills District Mums” have thousands of engaged members.
Local Council Apps and Platforms
Some local councils in Western Sydney have their own community engagement platforms or apps. These can be worth exploring for businesses that want to connect with the local community.
WhatsApp Community Groups
WhatsApp has introduced a Community feature that allows groups to be organised under a single umbrella. Some local communities and business networks are using this for neighbourhood communication.
Community Notice Boards (Online and Physical)
Do not forget about physical community notice boards at shopping centres, libraries, and community centres. While not a digital platform, they reach local residents effectively. Many of these also have online equivalents.
Strategies for Community Platform Marketing
Be a Neighbour First
On community platforms, the hard sell does not work. People are there to connect with their neighbours, not to be advertised to. Your approach should be:
- Participate in discussions genuinely
- Offer helpful advice when someone asks a question related to your expertise
- Share local knowledge and tips
- Be a visible, positive member of the community
Respond to Recommendation Requests
This is the golden opportunity on platforms like Nextdoor. When someone asks for a recommendation in your field, respond politely and mention your business. Even better, have happy customers respond on your behalf.
Share Valuable Local Content
Post content that is genuinely useful to your neighbours:
- A landscaper sharing tips for preparing gardens for the upcoming season
- A restaurant announcing a new menu item or special
- A tradie offering a seasonal maintenance checklist
- A retailer sharing info about an upcoming sale
Offer Neighbour-Exclusive Deals
People on community platforms love feeling like they are getting insider access. Offering a “neighbours only” discount or special can drive business while building goodwill.
Support Local Causes
If you sponsor a local sports team, donate to a community event, or participate in neighbourhood activities, share this on community platforms. It shows you are invested in the area, not just looking to make sales.
Measuring Results from Community Marketing
Community platform marketing is harder to measure than Google Ads or SEO, but there are ways to track its impact:
- Ask new customers how they heard about you. Include “Nextdoor” and “community recommendation” as options.
- Use a unique offer code. If you create a neighbourhood-specific promotion, give it a unique code so you can track redemptions.
- Monitor your Nextdoor business page. Check recommendation counts and page views.
- Track website referral traffic. Look in Google Analytics for traffic coming from Nextdoor or community platforms.
Tips for Success
Be patient. Community marketing is a long game. Building trust and reputation in your neighbourhood takes time, but the results are lasting.
Be consistent. Show up regularly on these platforms. Sporadic participation does not build relationships.
Be genuine. People can spot inauthenticity instantly on community platforms. Be yourself, be helpful, and the business will follow.
Be responsive. If someone tags your business or asks about your services, respond quickly and helpfully.
Respect the platform culture. Each community platform has its own norms and expectations. Observe before you start posting, and always follow the rules.
Getting Started This Week
- Claim your free Nextdoor business page
- Identify the Facebook community groups for your service area and join them
- Ask three happy customers if they would recommend you on Nextdoor
- Spend 15 minutes a day engaging genuinely on one community platform
- Plan one helpful, non-promotional post per week for each platform
Community marketing is not about reaching millions of people. It is about reaching the right people, your neighbours and potential customers, in the most trusted way possible. For local businesses in Western Sydney, that can be far more valuable than any paid advertising campaign.
Need Help With Your Local Marketing Strategy?
At Cosmo Web Tech, we help Western Sydney businesses build comprehensive digital marketing strategies that include community engagement, social media, SEO, and more. Get in touch for a free consultation about how to reach more local customers.
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Cosmos Web Tech is the web development division of Ganda Tech Services, specialising in website design, SEO, and e-commerce for Australian businesses.