Best Free Tools to Market Your WV Business Online
- Tom Tardy
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Affordable Marketing That Works — Right from the Mountain State
Running a small business in West Virginia comes with unique challenges—and unique opportunities. Whether you’re based in Martinsburg, Fayetteville, or anywhere in between, getting your business online can help you reach more local customers and build a loyal following.
But let’s face it: not every business has a big marketing budget. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best FREE tools that can help you market your WV business online effectively and professionally—no matter your size or industry.
📍 1. Google Business Profile
Show up where locals are searching.
A must-have for local visibility. Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) puts your shop, services, or office directly on the map—literally.
✅ Add photos, hours, and services✅ Get reviews from real customers✅ Rank higher in “near me” searches like “barbershop in Jefferson County”
WV Tip: Encourage happy customers to leave Google reviews after local festivals or community events.
🖼️ 2. Canva
Design like a pro, even if you aren’t one.
Canva makes it easy to create beautiful social media posts, flyers, menus, and event graphics.
✅ Use pre-made templates✅ Create brand kits with your logo and colors✅ Perfect for Instagram, Facebook, and posters around town
WV Tip: Create a flyer for a local event—like a farmers market or pop-up—and post it both digitally and physically at local stores or libraries.
📱 3. Meta Business Suite
One dashboard to rule Facebook and Instagram.
Most West Virginians are still active on Facebook—especially when it comes to finding local shops, food, and services. Meta Business Suite lets you post, schedule, and respond on both platforms from one place.
✅ Schedule a week’s worth of posts in one sitting✅ Track likes, shares, and comments✅ Message customers from one inbox
WV Tip: Use photo posts showing your business behind-the-scenes or at community events. Locals love seeing who’s behind the brand.
📧 4. Mailchimp
Build an email list of loyal local fans.
Email marketing still works—and it’s free for small lists. Use Mailchimp to send updates, sales, or monthly newsletters.
✅ 500 contacts for free✅ Drag-and-drop templates✅ Great for service businesses, shops, or event venues
WV Tip: Promote a "locals-only" discount or early access to events through your email list.
🔍 5. Ubersuggest
Get found on Google with smarter keywords.
Ubersuggest shows you what people are searching for in your area and how to make your website or blog more visible.
✅ Discover keywords like “bakery in Morgantown” or “auto repair Fayette County”✅ See what competitors are ranking for✅ Learn what kind of blog or website content will help you rank
WV Tip: Use it to plan blog content for your business listing on WVBusiness.com.
🧭 6. WVBusiness.com
Your local connection hub.
WVBusiness.com is more than a directory—it’s a growing movement to support local businesses throughout the Mountain State.
✅ Get listed by county✅ Share your story and updates✅ Be featured in blogs and spotlights✅ Connect with customers looking for “West Virginia-owned”
WV Tip: Add your business, then share your listing on Facebook or your town’s community group.
📸 7. Unsplash / Pexels (Free Photos)
Use high-quality images without hiring a photographer.
Your marketing looks 10x more professional with clean, sharp images. Use these sites to find free photos for blogs, flyers, or social posts.
✅ No copyright headaches✅ Great for background images or mood boards✅ Can even use WV-themed nature photos!
🧰 Bonus: Free Tools for Social Media Management
If you’re on multiple platforms and want something more advanced, try:
Buffer – Schedule posts to multiple social accounts
Later – Visual planner for Instagram
Linktree – Create one bio link that connects to all your offers
💡 Final Tips for Marketing Smart on a Budget:
Be consistent. Posting 2–3 times a week is better than 10 one week and zero the next.
Tell your story. People love knowing they’re supporting a real person in their community.
Use your phone! Photos and video don’t have to be perfect—authenticity wins in WV.
Cross-promote. Team up with other local businesses to share each other’s posts.
🚀 Ready to Grow Your WV Business?
The tools above are 100% free to start using—and they’re all you need to start building a loyal customer base online. At WVBusiness.com, we’re here to help connect locals to local businesses across every corner of the state.
List your business today, or reach out to us if you’d like to be featured in an upcoming spotlight or blog. Together, we can make shopping local the new normal in West Virginia.
Would you like this turned into a downloadable PDF guide, email newsletter, or a printable checklist to hand out to businesses? I can also convert this into shorter social media posts or Instagram slides.
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