How to Use Hashtags to Reach More Local Customers

Let’s be honest—standing out as a local business in the UK can be tough. With so many cafés, boutiques, salons, and shops vying for attention, how do you make sure your business gets noticed by the people who matter most: your neighbours and local community?

The answer is simpler than you might think. By learning how to use hashtags to reach more local customers, you can boost your visibility, attract new faces, and build a loyal following right where you are.

At Socially Spotted, we’ve helped countless UK businesses harness the power of hashtags, and we’re here to show you how to do the same—step by step.

What Are Hashtags and Why Should Local Businesses Care?

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the “#” symbol, used on social media to categorise content and make it discoverable.

When you add hashtags to your posts, you’re essentially joining a larger conversation—one that could include people in your city, neighbourhood, or even on your street.

For local businesses, hashtags are a golden opportunity.

They help your posts appear in searches, connect you with potential customers nearby, and can even create a sense of community around your brand.

According to Sprout Social, using the right hashtags can increase your reach and engagement by up to 30%—and that’s just the beginning.

1. Start with Local Hashtags: Get Specific

The most effective way to reach local customers is to use hashtags that are specific to your area.

This could be your city, neighbourhood, or even a local event.

For example, if you run a florist in Birmingham, hashtags like #BirminghamFlorist, #BrumBlooms, or #ShopBirmingham can help you show up in searches when people nearby are looking for flowers.

How to find the best local hashtags:

• Search Instagram, Facebook, or X (Twitter) for your city or neighbourhood and see which hashtags are trending.
• Check what other local businesses and influencers are using.
• Use tools like Hashtagify or RiteTag to discover popular local tags.
• Look at local event pages or community groups for hashtag inspiration.

Pro tip:
Don’t be afraid to get hyper-local. If your business is in a specific district or market, use that name as a hashtag (e.g., #CamdenMarket, #NorthernQuarter, #SohoLondon).

2. Mix Broad, Niche, and Location-Based Hashtags

Using only local hashtags might limit your reach. Instead, blend them with broader and niche hashtags to connect with different audiences.

• Broad hashtags: These are widely used and help you reach people interested in your industry. Examples: #ShopLocal, #SupportSmallBusiness, #LocalEats.
• Niche hashtags: These target a specific interest or community. For example, #VeganManchester, #LondonBarbers, #BrightonYoga.
• Location-based hashtags: These are all about your area. Examples: #LeedsEats, #GlasgowShopping, #LiverpoolFitness.

By mixing these, you make your posts visible to both people searching for local businesses and those interested in your products or services.

3. Create and Promote a Branded Local Hashtag

Want to build a loyal community around your business?

Create a unique hashtag just for your brand, like #SpottedInBrighton or #[YourBusinessName]London.

Encourage your customers to use it when they post about your business—maybe by offering a small reward or featuring their photos on your page.

Why this works:
A branded hashtag helps you collect user-generated content, increases your visibility, and gives your customers a way to feel part of your story.

Over time, it can become a mini-community of its own.

4. Use Hashtags Strategically on Different Platforms

Hashtags aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each social media platform treats them a bit differently:

• Instagram: You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but studies show 3-5 highly relevant ones get the best engagement. Place them in your caption or as the first comment.
• Facebook: Hashtags are less common, but 1-3 relevant tags can help your post appear in local searches or community groups.
• X (Twitter): Stick to 1-2 targeted hashtags per tweet. Join trending conversations by using event or news hashtags.
• TikTok: Use a mix of trending and location-based hashtags to get discovered by local users.
• LinkedIn: Hashtags can help your business posts reach local professionals, especially for B2B services.

5. Placement and Number: Where and How Many Hashtags Should You Use?

• Instagram: Test placing hashtags in the caption versus the first comment to see what works best for your audience.
• Facebook: Keep hashtags within the main post, and don’t overdo it.
• X (Twitter): Integrate hashtags naturally into your tweet.
• TikTok: Add hashtags at the end of your caption.

How many?
Less is often more. Using too many hashtags can look spammy and reduce engagement.

Aim for 3-5 highly relevant hashtags per post, focusing on those that will connect you with local customers.

6. Join Local Events and Trending Conversations

Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your area.

Use hashtags for local events, holidays, or trending topics to reach people who are already interested in what’s happening nearby.

For example, during #LondonPride, a café in Soho might use the hashtag to join the celebration and attract foot traffic.

Examples of local event hashtags:

• #ManchesterChristmasMarket
• #BrightonFestival
• #LondonMarathon
• #EdinburghFringe

7. Encourage User-Generated Content with Hashtags

Ask your customers to use your branded or local hashtags when they post about your business.

This not only increases your reach but also acts as authentic word-of-mouth marketing.

Share their posts on your own feed to show appreciation and encourage even more participation.

Ideas to spark user content:

• Run a monthly photo contest (“Tag us with #[YourHashtag] for a chance to win a free coffee!”)
• Feature customer stories or testimonials in your Stories or posts
• Encourage check-ins and reviews with a hashtag

8. Analyse and Optimise Your Hashtag Strategy

Don’t just set and forget your hashtags—track what works!

Most platforms offer analytics tools to help you see which hashtags are driving the most engagement and local reach.

How to analyse:

• On Instagram, use Insights to see which hashtags attracted the most views.
• On X, check tweet analytics for hashtag performance.
• Try third-party tools like Later or Sprout Social for deeper insights.

Tip:
Regularly update your hashtag list. Swap out underperforming tags for new ones and keep experimenting to stay visible.

9. Real-World Examples: UK Businesses Winning with Hashtags

• The Flour Pot Bakery (Brighton): Uses #BrightonBakery and #BrightonEats to attract locals and tourists alike, while also encouraging customers to use #FlourPotMoments for a chance to be featured.
• Manchester Yoga Studio: Combines #ManchesterYoga, #YogaInThePark, and #MCRWellness to connect with local wellness enthusiasts and promote community events.
• London Barbershop: Mixes #LondonBarbers, #EastLondonStyle, and #ShoreditchHair to tap into both local and niche audiences.

10. Hashtag Campaign Inspiration

Creative hashtag campaigns can help you stand out and encourage community participation.

For example, #InstaBrum encouraged Birmingham locals to share their favourite city moments, while #ShopSmallUK united independent businesses during the holiday season.

How to launch your own campaign:

• Choose a catchy, memorable hashtag
• Announce the campaign on all your platforms
• Offer a reward or incentive for participation (discounts, freebies, or a feature)
• Share the best entries to keep the momentum going

FAQs:

How do I find the best local hashtags for my business?

Start by searching for your city, neighbourhood, or business type on Instagram or X.

See what hashtags local businesses and influencers are using, and test tools like Hashtagify to discover popular tags.

How many hashtags should I use on my posts?

On Instagram, 3-5 highly relevant hashtags are ideal. On Facebook and X, stick to 1-3.

Focus on quality over quantity—choose hashtags that will connect you with local customers.

Should I create my own branded hashtag?

Absolutely. A branded hashtag helps build community and encourages customers to share their experiences with your business.

Make sure it’s easy to remember and relevant to your location or brand.

Can hashtags really help me get more local customers?

Yes! Location-based hashtags make your posts more discoverable to people searching for businesses or services in your area, which can increase foot traffic and local sales.

How often should I change my hashtags?

Review your hashtag performance every few months. Swap out any that aren’t performing and keep experimenting to find what works best for your local audience.

Conclusion

Using hashtags isn’t just a social media trend—it’s a smart, practical way to reach more local customers and grow your business.

By choosing the right mix of location-based, niche, and branded hashtags, you can boost your visibility, connect with your community, and turn online engagement into real-world results.

At Socially Spotted, we’re passionate about helping UK businesses thrive locally.

Start experimenting with hashtags today, and watch your neighbourhood following grow!