The world as we knew it took a massive turn when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, pushing more of our lives online—especially advertising. This shift is very intense if you’re running a small local business without a dedicated social media team to help you get the word out about what you offer.

But here’s the scoop: it doesn’t matter if you’re totally savvy with all the latest tech or if your computer still thinks it’s the early 2000s. Nextdoor offers some really practical and affordable marketing options that are perfect for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

The cool thing about Nextdoor is that your local community is already on there, swapping tips on the best places to grab a bite or find the latest deals. This makes it an ideal spot for local businesses looking to dive into digital marketing.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through how you can start advertising on Nextdoor, break down the costs you might encounter, and share some pro tips to really make the most of your presence on this platform.

What is Nextdoor?

So, let me introduce you to Nextdoor—it’s basically a hyper-local social media platform that’s all about connecting with your neighborhood. Think of it as social media, but fine-tuned to where you live.

The way it works is very straightforward. You sign up, enter your zip code, and bam—you’re linked up with everything happening around you. Whether it’s sharing updates, seeking or offering help, finding a new place, volunteering, buying or swapping goods, or keeping up with local news, it’s all there. Unlike Facebook, where you add friends, Nextdoor automatically connects you to everyone in your neighborhood through your feed.

Nextdoor is a favorite for over 27 million people each month. It’s the place where you can rave about your favorite local eatery, spread the word about your missing furry friend, or find someone to fix that leaky faucet. What really sets Nextdoor apart from places like Facebook or Twitter is its commitment to realness and trust—everyone uses their real names, and you’ve got to be verified.

When you think about advertising here, imagine reaching a bunch of neighbors who are not just nearby but are also keen on building a stronger community and supporting local shops and services.

Advertising Options On Nextdoor 

Now, about getting your word out on Nextdoor. You can start from literally spending nothing to shelling out a cool $25,000 a month if you’re aiming big, like a big national brand.

Here’s a quick rundown of the advertising options you’ve got on Nextdoor:

1. Free Business Posts: Share updates or events without spending a dime.
2. Local Deals: Run promotions just for your neighborhood.
3. Neighborhood Sponsorships: Get featured in your local area.
4. Sponsored Posts for National Brands: When you’re playing in the big leagues.

Each of these channels has its own pricing and perks, so you’ll want to think about what you’re looking to achieve and what your budget looks like. Decide which channel might be the best fit for you and start from there.

Set Up a Free Business Profile on Nextdoor

Not looking to spend any money on Nextdoor yet? No worries, you can still make some noise for free! Whether you’re a babysitter, a local diner, or any small to medium-sized business, you can create a business page on Nextdoor. Here’s the best part: you get to post updates directly to your neighbors’ feeds twice a month without spending a dime.

Here’s what you can add to your business page to make it shine:

• Photos: Let them see what you’re all about.
• Website Link: Drive traffic directly to your site.
• Descriptions: Talk about what you offer.
• Your Story: Share what makes your business special.
• Contact Info: Make it easy for them to reach out.

The moment you snag at least one recommendation, your business starts popping up in local searches. If your loyal customers are already fans of what you do, encourage them to spread the word on Nextdoor. This could help you connect with new customers for zero cost.

Trust is a big deal on Nextdoor. Thanks to a strict verification process, there’s hardly any spam or fake reviews, making any positive feedback about your business very credible.

Use your page not just for updates but also to introduce new products, services, or team members. Engaging with your community through posts can lead to direct messages and comments—every post is a chance to interact and engage.

Benefits of Free Posts:

• Catch the eye of potential new customers.
• Share timely updates with your local community.
• Build deeper connections right in your neighborhood.

Dive Into Local Deals on Nextdoor

If your free posts are hitting the mark, why not step it up a notch with some paid advertising? Local Deals on Nextdoor are an affordable way to test the waters of paid social advertising. These ads are all about discounts and promotions, giving a clear call-to-action (CTA) to your neighbors.

You’ll find Local Deals in the Nextdoor newsfeed and in email bulletins sent to users. What’s unique here is that you don’t pay per click or based on ad performance. Instead, the cost depends on your target neighborhood’s demographics and how long you plan to run your campaign. You might be surprised to know a Local Deal ad could cost as little as $1!

And yes, you can keep tabs on how your ad is doing with Nextdoor’s analytics tools. This way, you can tweak your approach based on what’s working and what’s not.

Benefits of Local Deals:

• Drive more people to your store.
• Generate high-quality leads.
• Boost your sales figures.
• Encourage your happy customers to refer others.

Neighborhood Sponsorships on Nextdoor

Did you know that if you’re a real estate agent, home builder, or another type of service provider, Nextdoor has a special advertising option for you? It’s called Neighborhood Sponsorships, and it’s a bit different from Local Deals, which are reserved for physical stores like restaurants or dry cleaners.

With Neighborhood Sponsorships, you don’t pay per ad. Instead, you pay a flat monthly fee. Wondering about the cost? Back in 2020, Entrepreneur magazine did a bit of digging and found out you could snag a sponsorship in some areas for as low as $32 a month. Even in some of the more sought-after zip codes, the price was still very reasonable at around $150 a month. That’s quite affordable, especially compared to what you might pay on other platforms for similar visibility.

Nextdoor limits the number of sponsorships per zip code or neighborhood, and you might not always get the spot you want. However, the exclusivity can actually work in your favor. Because Nextdoor doesn’t flood its users with ads, the ones that do appear—like your sponsorship—stand out more and can pack a bigger punch.

Benefits of Neighborhood Sponsorships:

• Establish yourself as the go-to expert in your field within the neighborhood.
• Start conversations with potential future customers.
• Boost your brand’s visibility and recognition in the community.

Sponsored Posts by National Brands

For the big players—those running larger regional or national operations—Nextdoor offers another level of advertising through Sponsored Posts. These posts pop up right in the main newsfeed, ensuring maximum visibility.

If you’re thinking about this option, here’s what you need to know: the starting line is at $25,000 a month. It’s a premium choice, but it places your brand front and center in the daily scroll of countless users. To get started, you’d need to reach out directly to Nextdoor’s ad sales team.

Both of these advertising strategies offer unique benefits and can help you connect with the community on a deeper level, whether you’re laying down roots in a local neighborhood or casting a wider net across multiple regions.

Best Practices for Advertising on Nextdoor

Whether you’re sticking to the free options on Nextdoor or going big with Neighborhood Sponsorships or Local Deals, let’s talk about making your ads as effective as possible.

Here’s what to keep in mind for each post:

• Watch Your Tone: Aim for ads that feel friendly, community-oriented, and informative. Trust me, they perform way better than those that just push sales.
• Get Personal: Nextdoor is all about community vibes. Share updates that feel personal. Speak as yourself, not just as a faceless business. This can really pull people in.
• Visuals Matter: Adding photos or graphics to your posts can seriously boost engagement. Maybe recycle some visuals you’re already using on other platforms or in emails.
• Be Responsive: Always reply to any comments on your posts. Being quick to respond keeps the conversation flowing. Have a set of ready answers for those common questions, and don’t forget to acknowledge every shoutout you get from customers.

How to Encourage Recommendations

Your existing customers are gold. Here’s how you can get them to help spread the word on Nextdoor:

• Start the Conversation: Let your customers know how much their recommendations on Nextdoor can boost your presence. A staggering 76% of Nextdoor members say recommendations really sway their decisions.
• Make It Simple: Encourage them to leave reviews by placing signs in your store, sending out emails, or via your social media and website. Make the process as easy as possible by providing direct links—maybe on their receipts or a handy flyer—that guide them on how to leave a review.
• Incentivize Thoughtfully: While you can’t pay for reviews, offering something like a Local Deal or a discount for reviewers can nudge them in the right direction. This way, they feel good about helping you out, and it’s a win-win.

The Nextdoor Favorites Competition

Nextdoor isn’t just about getting recommendations; it also gives users a chance to vote for their favorite local businesses. If you manage to climb to the top, here’s what you could score:

• A Boost in Search Rankings: Your business will pop up more often in searches.
• A Place on the Nextdoor Favorites List: It’s like being on the community’s VIP list.
• A Free Local Deal Ad: Get to run a promotional ad without touching your wallet.

According to the folks at Nextdoor, winning businesses typically see 30 times more recommendations on their pages than the average. Not only that, but they also get three times the usual page views and four times as many saves on their Local Deals. That’s a lot of eyeballs and a lot of potential new customers!

So, why not nudge your customers and neighbors to throw some votes your way? It could really pay off by landing you one of those coveted spots.

How We Can Turn You into a Nextdoor Neighborhood Hero

Did you know? As of September 2020, Nextdoor had its roots spread across 90% of U.S. neighborhoods. That’s a huge audience that could be hearing about what you do. Given this kind of coverage, investing in Nextdoor ads might just be the boost your business needs.

Looking to really rock your Nextdoor campaigns?

Here at Tribal Pearl Media, we don’t just see Nextdoor ads as a standalone effort. No, we think of them as a key piece of your entire social media marketing puzzle. The content you create for Nextdoor can double as engaging material for your Instagram, Facebook, and other social platforms.

Curious about how this all works? Give us a shout! We’d love to help you craft a killer Nextdoor strategy that maximizes your return on investment and helps you make real connections in your local community.