The Ultimate Summer Marketing Checklist for Local Businesses | Shake The Tree Marketing
Marketing Tips July 24, 2026

The Ultimate Summer Marketing Checklist for Local Businesses

Summer is a unique season for local businesses. Some industries (HVAC, landscaping, pest control) are in peak demand. Others (retail, restaurants, services) see shifts in customer behavior as people travel, stay outside longer, and change their routines. Here's your complete summer marketing checklist — practical, actionable items you can tackle this week to make the most of the season.

Close up of a Young family shopping in the city
Summer brings new customer patterns — smart businesses adapt their marketing to match.

Your 10-Point Summer Marketing Checklist

Work through these items one at a time. You don't need to do them all in one day — but aim to complete everything within two weeks.

1

Update Your Google Business Profile for Summer

Update your hours if they change for summer. Add summer-specific photos. Post a seasonal offer or announcement. This takes 15 minutes and keeps you visible in local searches.

2

Create a Summer-Specific Offer

It doesn't have to be a discount. A "Summer AC Tune-Up Special" or "June Deck Staining Package" gives people a reason to act now instead of later. Put it on your website, social media, and Google profile.

3

Refresh Your Website's Homepage

Add a summer banner or update your hero image to reflect the season. Feature your summer offer prominently. Make sure your phone number and CTA button are impossible to miss.

4

Collect and Post Fresh Reviews

Summer is busy — which means lots of customer interactions. Ask every happy customer for a review while the experience is fresh. Aim for at least 5 new Google reviews this month.

5

Post Summer Content on Social Media

Share before-and-after photos of summer jobs. Post quick video testimonials. Share summer tips related to your industry. Consistency matters more than perfection — 3 posts per week beats one "perfect" post per month.

6

Check Your Website on a Phone — Right Now

Pull out your phone and visit your website. Can you read the text? Tap the buttons? Does it load in under 3 seconds? If not, this is your priority fix — most summer searches happen on mobile.

7

Partner With a Complementary Local Business

HVAC company? Partner with a local electrician. Landscaper? Team up with a fence installer. Cross-promote each other on social media and offer referral discounts. Summer is ideal for these partnerships.

8

Send a "Summer Check-In" Email

Email past customers with a friendly summer message. Include a tip related to your service and a soft offer. Example: a roofing company could send "3 Signs Your Roof Took a Beating This Winter" plus a free inspection offer.

9

Sponsor or Attend a Local Summer Event

Farmers markets, street fairs, little league games, outdoor concerts — summer is packed with community events. Set up a booth, sponsor a team, or just show up with business cards and talk to people.

10

Plan Your Fall Marketing Now

Summer won't last forever. Brainstorm your fall offers and content while you have momentum. Book your fall website updates, email campaigns, and social content calendar now so you're not scrambling later.

Track Your Summer Marketing Results

Doing the work is half the battle — tracking it is the other half. Here are the key metrics to watch:

Website Traffic

Is your traffic increasing? Where is it coming from — Google, social media, or direct visits? Use this data to double down on what's working.

Phone Calls

Ask every caller how they found you. Track it in a simple spreadsheet. After 30 days, you'll know which marketing channel brings the best leads.

New Reviews

Count how many new reviews you get this summer compared to last month. Aim for steady growth — even 2-3 new reviews per month adds up fast.

Contact Form Submissions

Track form submissions weekly. If numbers drop, check that your form is working properly on mobile — summer visitors are primarily on phones.

Your Website Is the Foundation of It All

Here's the truth: you can do everything on this checklist perfectly, but if your website doesn't look professional, load fast, and make it easy to contact you — most of your marketing efforts will leak value.

Your website is where people go to decide if they trust you. It's the final stop before a phone call. Make sure it's ready for the summer rush.

Make This Your Best Summer Yet

A professional website from Shake The Tree Marketing is the foundation of a great summer marketing strategy. See what yours could look like — free.

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