5 Marketing Strategies to Help Asheville Businesses Thrive in 2025

If you’re an entrepreneur in Western North Carolina, you know that Asheville businesses need to adapt their marketing in 2025. After enduring the challenges of the pandemic and the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, our local economy is feeling the strain yet again. The unemployment rate has jumped to 6.1%, a stark contrast to the 2.6% we enjoyed in September before the storm. Many have left the region, and now, more than ever, we must come together to create opportunities that support our community and drive growth.

I am a firm believer in Asheville’s resilience and our ability to recover. However, recovery requires action, and businesses must adapt to meet the evolving needs of their patrons and the local economy.

One of the most impactful ways for business leaders to create growth is by enhancing communication with their customers through strategic and thoughtful marketing. By improving their marketing footprint and embracing innovative approaches, businesses not only increase their visibility and customer engagement but also contribute to revitalizing Asheville’s broader economic landscape. When local businesses thrive, they create jobs, attract tourism, and reinvest in the community, forming a virtuous cycle that benefits us all.

To achieve this, businesses must focus on strategies that foster connection, highlight their unique value, and demonstrate their commitment to the community. Success in 2025 will hinge on how well businesses adapt their marketing to meet changing consumer expectations while staying true to the spirit of Asheville.

With that in mind, here are five actionable marketing suggestions to help local businesses stand out and succeed in 2025:

1. Optimize for Local SEO

Did you know 46% of all Google searches have local intent? That means nearly half of online searches are used for looking for businesses and services in their area. By optimizing your local SEO, you ensure your Asheville business shows up where it matters most: in front of your neighbors and visitors searching online.

46% of all Google Searches Are Local

• Claim and update your Google Business Profile: Ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date, including operating hours, contact details, and working links.
• Incorporate local keywords: Use terms tied to Asheville and Western North Carolina in your website’s content, including descriptions of your products, services, and even blog posts.
• Use Local Business Schema: This helps search engines understand key information about your business, such as location and hours, boosting your visibility.

2. Invest in Mobile-Friendly Website Design

With individual smartphone use approaching 4 hours daily, a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional—it’s essential. In fact, 61% of users are more likely to contact a business if their website is easy to navigate on a phone.

76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphone visit a related business within a day, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase.

Check your site’s performance on mobile devices, ensuring it’s fast, responsive, and easy to use. Scroll through your website on your phone and put yourself in the shoes of a client. An excellent mobile experience encourages more visitors to stay, explore, and ultimately become customers.

3. Engage Meaningfully on Social Media

Social media is your direct line to Asheville’s community, providing opportunities to build relationships and showcase your business’s personality. With the average social media user clocking in 143 minutes per day, investing your time into making an impact on social media will pay dividends. Here’s how you can engage more meaningfully with your social accounts: 

• Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your operations.
• Build excitement for new product releases and events.
• Highlight your involvement in community events, such as local markets or fundraisers.

Over 70% of consumers expect personalized interactions from companies

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook offer opportunities for storytelling that foster authentic connections, remind others of your presence, and create goodwill. But know your audience, and engage where they are. For instance, 3 in 5 users on Instagram are under 35, where 3 in 5 users on Facebook are over the age of 35. 

4. Share Hyper-Local, Visual Stories

Asheville is unique, and your business is part of what makes it special. Use your online platforms to share what sets your business apart, rooted in the local community.

• Showcase Partnerships: Collaborate with other Asheville businesses to create unique offerings. Partnership marketing is a cost-effective strategy that combines the strengths of both parties and amplifies your reach.
• Highlight Community Contributions: Share stories of how your business supports the area. Locals want to see how you’re making a difference and contributing to Asheville’s culture and values.
• Use Compelling Visuals: Photos of the mountains, local events, or even your team in action make your story memorable and relatable.

For example, one of my favorite local influencers is Robert from Robert’s Totally Rad Trivia. His trivia nights are more than just a fun activity—they’re an experience. Winners take home a Championship Belt and even get to add something unique to it, while the last-placed team still gets a prize. If he’s hosting trivia at a local bar or restaurant, it immediately becomes a place I want to visit. In fact, I’ve followed him to new venues like The Golden Pineapple and Pleb Urban Winery, discovering these fantastic spots for the first time because of their collaboration with him.

Sadly, Pleb Urban Winery closed its doors after the devastation from Hurricane Helene, a loss deeply felt by our community. Pleb was more than just a winery; it was a hub for connection, creativity, and celebration in Asheville. My condolences go out to their team and patrons who cherished the space. This tragedy reminds us how vital it is to support local businesses as they rebuild and adapt.

62% of businesses expanded partner marketing in the past year

By partnering with influencers, businesses can foster awareness, strengthen community bonds, and ensure Asheville’s vibrant spirit endures, even in challenging times.

5. Implement Data-Driven Marketing Strategies

Asheville’s businesses thrive on connection and seasonality—data can make those connections stronger and more precise. By using tools like Google Analytics or paid options like ahrefs and Semrush, you can better understand what your audience values most.

Over 99% of shoppers do online research before purchasing

• Track Local Trends: Use data to identify patterns unique to Asheville, like peaks in tourist traffic, the popularity of certain events, or seasonal sales trends.
• Refine Campaigns: Tailor marketing efforts based on customer preferences in the area. For example, discover which products or services resonate during Asheville’s peak tourism times.
• Increase ROI: Analyze past campaign performance to determine where your marketing dollars make the most impact, ensuring better results with every campaign.

With data as your guide, your business can stay agile, maximize outreach, and become a cornerstone of Asheville’s economic revival.

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As Asheville businesses look ahead to 2025, the challenges of the past remind us that success is not achieved in isolation. Whether through local SEO, meaningful engagement, or partnership marketing, the most effective strategies are those that strengthen the bonds between businesses and the community they serve.

Each of the five strategies discussed—optimizing for local SEO, embracing mobile-friendly design, engaging on social media, telling hyper-local stories, and using data-driven approaches—is not just about growing revenue but also about creating a more connected and resilient Asheville. With honest marketing, and connecting with your patrons, you will find success. 

By leaning into what makes Asheville unique—its creativity, natural beauty, and sense of community—businesses can not only thrive but also contribute to a shared revival. Together, we can build an economy where every local success story enriches the tapestry of our vibrant city.

Do you need help implementing these strategies?

Contact me to craft a tailored marketing plan for your Asheville business.

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