5 Marketing Mistakes Brighton Businesses Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Brighton is a city full of creativity, from the coffee roasters in The Lanes to the boutique fitness studios in Hove, to the independent shops along London Road.But even the most innovative businesses can struggle to get their marketing right.

As a digital marketing agency in Brighton, we’ve seen first-hand how a few simple mistakes can cost local businesses visibility, customers, and sales. Here are the five biggest marketing missteps we see in Brighton, and how to fix them.

1. Ignoring Local SEO

The mistake:Many Brighton businesses focus on broad SEO keywords but forget about the power of local search. If you’re not showing up when someone Googles “best coffee Brighton” or “yoga near me,” you’re losing out on warm leads ready to buy.

The fix:

• Optimise your Google Business Profile with accurate opening hours, services, and photos.

• Use location-based keywords in your website copy and blog posts.

Encourage happy customers to leave reviews — they’re local SEO gold

2. Treating Social Media Like a Noticeboard

The mistake:Posting only promotional content (“Buy this!” “Visit us!”) without building a connection. Social media is about conversation, not just broadcasting.

The fix:

• Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% engaging/entertaining/educational content, 20% promotional.

• Use behind-the-scenes videos, Brighton event tie-ins, and user-generated content.

• Engage back — reply to comments, share customer posts, and join local online groups.

3. Underestimating the Power of Paid Ads

The mistake:Thinking organic reach is enough. On platforms like Facebook and Instagram, organic reach is often less than 5%, meaning most followers never see your posts.

The fix:

• Run small, highly targeted ad campaigns aimed at Brighton postcodes or interest groups.

• Track results and tweak your campaigns for better ROI.

• Start with a low budget (£5–£10/day) and scale what work

.

4. Neglecting Your Website

The mistake:A website that’s slow, clunky, or looks outdated can cost you credibility. Many Brighton businesses rely solely on Instagram or Facebook — but what happens if those platforms change their algorithms or shut down your account?

The fix:

• Make sure your website is mobile-friendly — over 70% of local searches happen on mobile.

• Optimise for speed and user experience.

• Include clear calls to action: “Book now,” “Order online,” or “Visit us today.”

5. Not Tracking Results

The mistake:Running marketing campaigns without tracking what’s working and what’s not. Without data, you’re guessing.

The fix:

• Use free tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

• Track KPIs like clicks, conversions, and enquiries — not just likes and followers.

• Review your results monthly and adjust your strategy accordingly.

The Bottom Line

Brighton is a competitive, fast-moving city for small businesses. Avoiding these common mistakes — and replacing them with smart, targeted strategies — can make the difference between blending in and standing out.

At Loud & Clear, we help local businesses create marketing that actually works — no jargon, no cookie-cutter campaigns, just creative strategies backed by data.If you want your marketing to be as bold and unique as your brand, we’d love to chat.