Running a small business in Ceredigion—whether you’re in Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Aberaeron, or beyond—comes with plenty of challenges. One of the biggest? Competing with national or international brands online.
At Gwe Cambrian Web, we believe that size doesn’t have to determine success. With the right strategy, local businesses can absolutely compete—and even outperform—bigger brands online. Here’s how:
Use Your Local Identity as a Superpower
Big brands can’t be local—but you can.
- Highlight your Ceredigion roots in your content
- Share local stories, dialect, humour, and culture
- Support community events and tag other local businesses
- Use local hashtags like #CefnogiLleol or #ShopLocalCeredigion
Tip: Search volume might be lower, but local SEO keywords like “plumber in Lampeter” or “Aberystwyth coffee shop” are much easier to rank for—and attract customers who are ready to buy.
Build Trust Through Personal Content
People trust people—not faceless corporations. So, put a face to your business:
- Post behind-the-scenes photos
- Introduce your team or share your founder’s story
- Respond to comments and messages personally
- Use Stories or Reels to speak directly to your audience
Your advantage is connection. Bigger brands can’t compete with your authenticity.
Focus on Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
Local search is a goldmine for small businesses. Here’s what you can do:
- Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile
- Ask happy customers for reviews!
- Add your business to local directories and tourism sites
- Optimise your website for location-based keywords (e.g. “web designer in Aberystwyth”)
Want help with this? That’s exactly what we do at Gwe Cambrian Web! When working with you on your local SEO, we will improve or set up the following:
- Your “Google my Business” page and other online directories
- Ensuring your business’ NAP is consistent across those directories
- Reviewing the referrals from your Google Analytics or other analytics tools to ensure links and citations are correct
- Research on how to increase the reviews you receive on search engines!
Provide Exceptional, Personalised Service
Small businesses win when it comes to service.
Your ability to go the extra mile—respond quickly, customise offerings, remember loyal customers—is something most big brands simply can’t replicate.
Use social media, email marketing, or even handwritten notes to stay in touch with your audience in a personal way. Small gestures build massive loyalty.
Get Smart with Social Media
You don’t need a huge ad budget to succeed online. You just need:
- A consistent posting schedule
- Content that shows value, not just products
- Engagement (polls, questions, lives, DMs)
- Local relevance (feature local landmarks, events, or even Welsh holidays)
Remember: Quality > quantity. Even a small, engaged local following can drive steady business.
If social media makes your skin crawl, or you just don’t have time to dedicate to it, we can help you there too! At Gwe Cambrian Web, we have 3 main social media packages, allowing us to help you get the best out of your accounts!
From one small business to another we know that sometimes you will have more than one hat, and sometimes juggling them can be a lot!
Collaborate Instead of Compete
Partner with other local businesses for:
- Joint giveaways
- Pop-up events
- Shared blog features or videos
- Referral discounts
This kind of cross-promotion helps both parties grow—and strengthens the local economy at the same time. Keep an eye on local events to build those all-important connections with your peers!
Invest in a Professional Website
Many small businesses lose out online because their website is:
- Outdated
- Not mobile-friendly
- Difficult to navigate
- Missing key info (like opening hours or booking options)
An affordable, modern, professionally designed website can make you look just as credible (or more!) than a major brand.
And yes—we can help with that, too! We provide bilingual website design and development for businesses, communities, organisations and more! So, if you want an e-commerce site for your shop, or a site to help you host an event, we’re happy to help at an affordable price for you! In Welsh or English!
Final Thoughts
Competing online with bigger brands isn’t about outspending them—it’s about outsmarting them. As a small business, you have unique strengths: authenticity, flexibility, local knowledge, and community ties.
By combining smart digital strategies with your personal touch, you can absolutely stand out and succeed online.
Need help making it happen? At Gwe Cambrian Web, we specialise in helping small businesses in Wales and beyond thrive in the digital world.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements, our online services or for a personal quote!
