How to Use Facebook Groups to Promote Your Local and Trades Business

🚧 Why Facebook Groups Are a Hidden Gem for UK Trades

If you're a builder, electrician, plumber, landscaper — or any hands-on tradesperson — chances are you’ve relied on word-of-mouth to grow your business. But what if you could scale that word-of-mouth without spending a penny on ads?

Facebook groups are where your local customers hang out. Think “Maldon Mums,” “Essex Homeowners,” “Braintree Recommendations,” and hundreds more like them. People in these groups are actively asking for help — and you could be the one answering.

Let’s show you how.

🔍 Step 1: Find the Right Facebook Groups

To get started, jump on Facebook and use the search bar. Try phrases like:

• “YourTown Recommendations”

• “YourTown Buy and Sell”

• “YourCounty Tradespeople”

• “UK Builders/plumbers/landscapers Network”

• “Local Services Your Area/town/city”

Set the filter to ‘Groups’ and join ones with active posts and lots of members (ideally 1,000+). Bonus points if the group has a "Recommendations" theme.

💡 Pro tip: Join both public and private groups. Some might ask for business details before accepting you — keep it professional and genuine.

💬 Step 2: What to Post in Local Groups

Once you're in, don’t spam. Focus on value and visibility. Here is what works:

✅ Before & After Photos – Show off your latest job (e.g., a garden makeover or kitchen refit). People love seeing the transformation.
✅ Quick Tips – “3 signs your roof needs attention” or “How to avoid blocked drains this winter.” Position yourself as the helpful local expert.
✅ Shoutout to a Happy Customer – With a photo and review. Social proof builds trust.
✅ Offer a Local Discount – “10% off for members of this group this month only!”
✅ Reply to Requests – People regularly post: “Can anyone recommend a roofer?” Jump in quick with a helpful comment and a link to your page or site.
✅ Be Helpful – Give advice on how to unblock a drain, or what sealant to use for their bathroom job.

⚠️ Avoid hard-selling. Facebook groups are social — be real, helpful, and dare we say, human.

🧰 Tools & Strategies to Boost Your Efforts

Running your business and posting to multiple groups can be time-consuming. Here’s how to make life easier:

🛠 Use a Scheduling Tool – Tools like Buffer or Publer let you schedule posts across multiple groups (as long as you’re an admin).
🔄 Create a Bank of Reusable Posts – Rotate useful content weekly.
📥 Use a Link Shortener – Tools like Bitly make your URLs look clean and trackable.
📲 Save Replies – Facebook lets you use “Saved Replies” for fast commenting on common posts. Handy when replying to leads.

🚀 Want to Take It to the Next Level?

Facebook groups are powerful, but they work even better when combined with a professional online presence. That’s where we come in.

At SMB Booster, we help UK trades build mobile-friendly, lead-generating websites that rank on Google — so when someone sees your name in a group and Googles you, they find a site that actually converts.

We’ll set up:

• A high-converting website (with service pages and quote forms)

• Local SEO for your service area

• Tap-to-call buttons & chat widgets

• Google reviews pulled into your site

• A "Review Us" button to get even more social proof

• Ongoing updates and support — all for a simple monthly fee

✅ No big upfront costs.
✅ No stress.
✅ Just leads, booked jobs, and more time doing what you do best.

💬 Ready to look more professional, get found online, and boost your local visibility? Read our post on 20 ways for local business to get free leads

👉 Check out SMB Booster and let's grow your trade business the smart way.