Mastering Word-of-Mouth in the Digital Age: How Irish Businesses Can Drive More Customers

For years, word-of-mouth has been the backbone of Irish business. From the local butcher to the family-run pub, a solid reputation and a few good recommendations could keep a business thriving. But in 2025, word-of-mouth has evolved. It’s no longer just about what’s said in person—it’s about what’s shared online, reviewed publicly, and recommended in digital spaces.

So, how can you modernise traditional word-of-mouth marketing and use it to drive more customers to your business? Let’s explore practical strategies tailored for Irish businesses, including how platforms like FinditinIreland.ie can amplify your reputation.

1. Make It Easy for Customers to Recommend You

A satisfied customer is your best marketing tool—but are you making it easy for them to spread the word?

  • Ask for Reviews: Many Irish customers are happy to leave a review, but they often won’t think of it unless prompted. Politely ask customers to leave a review on Google, Facebook, or your FinditinIreland.ie listing.
  • Use Referral Incentives: Offer discounts or small rewards for customers who refer a friend. Even something as simple as a free coffee for every successful referral can work wonders.
  • Make Sharing Simple: If you sell online, add social sharing buttons to your website. If you’re a service provider, have a “Refer a Friend” scheme. Small touches like these can generate big results.

2. Be Present Where Conversations Happen

The way people talk about businesses has changed. Instead of chatting in the local pub, they’re tagging friends in Facebook posts, posting in WhatsApp groups, or discussing services on LinkedIn. If your business isn’t present in these spaces, you’re missing out.

  • Join Local Facebook Groups: Many communities across Ireland have “Buy & Sell” or recommendation groups. Being active and helpful in these groups can lead to organic word-of-mouth marketing.
  • Encourage User-Generated Content: If a customer shares a photo of your product or a positive experience, re-share it on your own social media.
  • Engage, Don’t Just Post: Social media isn’t just for broadcasting—respond to comments, answer questions, and be part of the conversation.

3. Leverage the Power of Online Directories

A mention in the right place can act as a digital word-of-mouth recommendation. A well-placed FinditinIreland.ie listing, for example, puts your business in front of Irish customers actively looking for your services.

Unlike social media, which requires constant updates, a business directory works for you 24/7. It ensures your business is discoverable even when you’re not actively promoting it.

  • Optimise Your Listing: Make sure your FinditinIreland.ie profile is complete with up-to-date contact details, a strong description, and customer reviews.
  • Use Keywords People Search For: If you’re a florist in Limerick, include words like “Limerick florist” and “wedding flowers Limerick” in your listing.
  • Encourage Customers to Find You There: If you meet a potential client, instead of sending them to your social media (which might be cluttered), direct them to your professional FinditinIreland.ie profile.

4. Partner with Other Local Businesses

One of the most overlooked ways to generate more business is through collaborations. Teaming up with complementary businesses allows you to tap into each other’s customer base.

  • Cross-Promotions: A bakery and a coffee shop could offer a joint discount—buy a coffee in one place and get a discount on a pastry in the other.
  • Joint Social Media Giveaways: Partner with a local business to run a contest where customers must follow both pages to enter.
  • Business Referrals: If you’re a wedding photographer, you could refer couples to a local florist, and in return, the florist could recommend you.

Irish business is built on community—so use that strength to grow your customer base.

5. Don’t Just Advertise—Tell Stories

Irish people love a good story, and businesses that tell stories connect better with their audience. Instead of posting generic “Buy Now” ads, focus on telling your business’s story and sharing customer experiences.

  • Share Your Journey: How did your business start? What challenges did you overcome?
  • Feature Happy Customers: Share testimonials in a way that feels personal—maybe a post about a couple who used your catering for their wedding, or a small business you helped with web design.
  • Behind-the-Scenes Content: Show the human side of your business. Whether it’s baking bread in the early morning hours or packaging online orders, these glimpses make customers feel connected.

6. Keep Existing Customers Engaged

Getting a new customer is great—but keeping an existing one is even more valuable. Encouraging repeat business is a smart way to increase revenue without constantly chasing new leads.

  • Email Marketing Still Works: A well-crafted monthly email with special offers, business updates, or useful tips keeps your brand fresh in customers’ minds.
  • Exclusive Offers for Returning Customers: A loyalty card, a discount on their next purchase, or even a simple thank-you message can go a long way.
  • Stay in Touch: If a customer hasn’t been back in a while, why not send them a personalised offer to encourage a return visit?

7. Be Consistent—Reputation Takes Time to Build

Word-of-mouth marketing—both online and offline—takes time. Consistency is key. Even if your efforts don’t seem to be working overnight, stick with it.

  • Keep asking for reviews.
  • Keep engaging with your customers online.
  • Keep showing up in relevant spaces.

Over time, the more your name comes up in conversations—whether in-person or online—the more trusted and well-known your business becomes.

How FinditinIreland.ie Can Help Your Business Grow

Building a strong reputation isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about where people find you.

At FinditinIreland.ie, we help Irish businesses be seen and recommended by the right people. When customers are actively looking for businesses, your listing works like a digital word-of-mouth referral.

  • Increase visibility among Irish customers actively searching for businesses like yours.
  • Strengthen your reputation with a professional, verified presence on a trusted directory.
  • Attract more customers by being in the right place at the right time.

If you haven’t already, make sure your business is listed on FinditinIreland.ie today—because being found online is the new word-of-mouth.

Final Thoughts

Word-of-mouth has always been the backbone of Irish business—but in 2025, it looks a little different. Today, it’s driven by online reviews, social media conversations, and digital directories like FinditinIreland.ie.

By taking small, consistent steps—encouraging reviews, joining conversations, collaborating with others, and keeping customers engaged—you can turn satisfied customers into your most powerful marketing tool.

Start today, and watch as the recommendations, referrals, and new customers roll in.

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