The Best Times to Post on Social Media for Local Businesse
When you run a local business in the UK, timing is everything—especially on social media. You might have the perfect post, a great offer, or a stunning photo, but if you share it when your audience is offline, your hard work could go unnoticed.
At Socially Spotted, we know that posting at the right time can make all the difference in reaching more people, driving engagement, and getting real results. Here’s your complete guide to the best times to post on social media for local businesses, including platform-specific tips, UK-focused data, and practical advice to help you stand out.
Why Timing Matters for Local Businesses
Maximise visibility: Social media algorithms favour posts that get quick engagement. Posting when your audience is active increases the chances your content will be seen and shared.
Boost engagement: Well-timed posts get more likes, comments, and clicks, which helps build your local community and brand loyalty.
Drive real-world action: For local businesses, timely posts can drive foot traffic, bookings, and sales—especially when promoting events or flash offers.
UK Data: When Are People Most Active on Social Media?
Recent research shows that UK social media users are most active during:
| Day | Best Posting Times (UK) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 11am – 1pm, 7pm – 9pm |
| Tuesday | 11am – 1pm, 7pm – 9pm |
| Wednesday | 11am – 1pm, 7pm – 9pm |
| Thursday | 11am – 1pm, 7pm – 9pm |
| Friday | 11am – 1pm, 7pm – 9pm |
| Saturday | 10am – 12pm, 6pm – 8pm |
| Sunday | 10am – 12pm, 6pm – 8pm |
These windows reflect when people take lunch breaks, finish work, or relax at home—prime times to catch your local audience scrolling. For more UK-specific data, check out Social Champ’s guide to the best times to post on social media in the UK.
Platform-Specific Best Times to Post
Best times: Weekdays between 12pm and 3pm, and evenings from 6pm to 9pm.
Why: UK users often check Facebook during lunch and after work. Weekends can also work well for retail and hospitality businesses.
Best times: Tuesday to Friday, 11am – 1pm and 7pm – 9pm.
Why: Instagram engagement peaks around lunchtime and in the evening, especially for visual content and Stories.
Twitter (X)
Best times: Weekdays from 12pm – 1pm and 5pm – 6pm.
Why: Twitter is popular for real-time updates, so posting during lunch or just after work can spark conversations.
Best times: Tuesday to Thursday, 8am – 10am and 5pm – 6pm.
Why: LinkedIn is a professional network, so users are most active before and after work hours. For more on LinkedIn timing, see LinkedIn’s official best practices.
TikTok
Best times: Weekdays 6pm – 10pm, weekends 9am – 11am.
Why: TikTok users are highly active in the evenings and on weekend mornings, making it ideal for creative, fun content. See more at Influencer Marketing Hub’s TikTok timing guide.
How to Find the Best Times for Your Local Audience
Every business is unique, so use these steps to tailor your posting schedule:
Check your analytics: Use built-in tools like Facebook Insights and Instagram Analytics to see when your followers are most active.
Test and learn: Experiment with different posting times and track which posts get the most engagement.
Consider your industry: For cafés or restaurants, mornings and lunch hours work well. For salons or shops, evenings and weekends may be better.
Think local: Consider local events, school holidays, and community routines that might affect when people are online.
For a deeper dive into global and UK platform trends, see Hootsuite’s research on the best times to post on social media and Sprout Social’s best times to post.
Tips for Maximising Engagement
Schedule posts in advance: Use free tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Meta Business Suite to plan and automate your posts.
Monitor and adjust: Check your results monthly and tweak your schedule for optimal reach.
Mix up your content: Combine posts, Stories, videos, and live broadcasts to reach your audience at different times and in different ways.
Promote events and offers early: Share reminders in the days and hours leading up to your event or sale to catch both early birds and last-minute shoppers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Posting only during business hours: Your audience may be more active before or after work—don’t miss these windows.
Ignoring weekends: Many people browse social media on weekends, especially for shopping, dining, and leisure activities.
Posting too frequently at once: Spread out your posts to avoid overwhelming your followers and to maximise reach throughout the week.
Real-World UK Example
A London florist found that posting Instagram Stories with daily bouquet specials at 11:30am led to a surge in lunchtime walk-ins. By scheduling Facebook event reminders for workshops at 7pm, they also saw higher evening engagement and more bookings.
FAQs: People Also Ask
What is the best time to post on social media for UK local businesses?
Generally, weekdays at lunchtime (11am–1pm) and evenings (7pm–9pm) work best, but check your analytics for your specific audience.
Does it matter which day I post?
Yes. Midweek (Tuesday–Thursday) often sees higher engagement, but weekends can be great for retail and hospitality businesses.
Should I post at the same time on all platforms?
Not always. Each platform has different peak times—test and adjust based on your analytics and audience habits.
How often should I post?
Aim for consistency—3 to 5 times per week is a good starting point. Quality and timing matter more than quantity.
Can I schedule posts in advance for free?
Yes! Tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Meta Business Suite offer free scheduling for multiple platforms.
Conclusion
The best times to post on social media can make a real difference for UK local businesses. By understanding your audience’s habits, using data-driven insights, and testing different times, you’ll boost your reach, engagement, and real-world results. At Socially Spotted, we help small businesses master the art of timing—so start experimenting with your posting schedule today and watch your community and sales grow.
Socially Spotted – Helping UK Local Businesses Shine Online and On the High Street