Most repair shop owners think marketing means paid ads. Facebook ads, Google ads, maybe a billboard if you're feeling bold.

Here's the thing: paid ads are a multiplier, not a foundation. If you run ads before you have the basics in place, you're paying to send people to a shop that can't convert them. Fix the foundation first. Most of it costs nothing.

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile

If you do one thing on this list, do this one. It's free, it takes 20 minutes, and it's how 90% of local customers will find you.

Do it right:

Accurate business hours (update them when they change)
Real photos of your shop, your bench, your work
Pick the right categories — "Computer Repair Service," "Phone Repair Service," "Electronics Repair Shop"
Add your services with prices
Respond to every single review (yes, including the bad ones)

A complete Google Business Profile with 10+ reviews will outperform a $500/month ad budget for local search.

2. Get Reviews (Systematically)

Don't leave reviews to chance. Build a system:

Ask at pickup. "Glad we could help! If you've got a minute, a Google review really helps us out."
Text a link. Send your Google review link in your follow-up message after the repair
Make it easy. Create a short URL (use a QR code on your counter too)
Respond to every review. Google sees engagement. Customers see you care.

Aim for 2-3 new reviews per week. In 3 months you'll have 30+ reviews and you'll dominate local search for your area.

3. Your Website Is a 24/7 Salesperson

Your website doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to answer three questions:

What do you fix?
How much does it cost?
How do I get my device to you?

Must-haves:

Services list with prices (or starting prices)
Address, hours, phone number (above the fold)
A way to submit a repair request or book an appointment online
Mobile-friendly (half your visitors are on phones)

With techsbox, every shop gets a public page at yourshop.techsbox.com with services, contact info, online booking, and service request forms — no web developer needed. It's your website and your management software in one.

4. Post Your Work on Social Media

You don't need to be a content creator. Just document what you already do:

Before/after photos of repairs (screen replacements, board-level work, water damage recoveries)
Quick videos of interesting repairs (30-60 seconds, no editing needed)
Customer wins — "Just saved this customer's wedding photos from a dead hard drive"

Post to Facebook and Instagram 3-4 times a week. Use local hashtags: #PhoneRepairDallas, #ComputerRepairAustin, whatever your city is.

The algorithm rewards consistency more than polish. A blurry bench photo posted regularly beats a professional photoshoot posted once.

5. Join Local Facebook Groups

Every city has "What's the best [X] in [City]?" Facebook groups. People constantly ask for repair shop recommendations.

Don't spam. Be helpful first:

Answer tech questions when they come up
When someone asks for a recommendation, mention your shop naturally
Share useful tips (not sales pitches)

When someone asks "where can I get my phone screen fixed?" and three people tag your shop — that's worth more than any ad.

6. Partner With Complementary Businesses

Think about who your customers also visit:

Phone case shops — refer each other
Computer stores — they sell hardware, you fix it
IT companies — they handle networks, you handle hardware
Insurance agents — device insurance claims need repairs
Schools/colleges — student devices break constantly

Leave business cards (yes, physical ones still work for local businesses). Offer a referral fee or mutual discount.

7. Email Your Existing Customers

You already have a customer list. Use it.

Simple email ideas:

"Hey, it's been 6 months since we replaced your screen. How's it holding up?" (check-in)
"We now offer [new service]. Thought you'd want to know." (announcement)
"Bring a friend, you both get 10% off." (referral)

Don't overthink it. One email a month to past customers costs nothing and keeps you top of mind. When their friend's laptop breaks, they'll remember you.

techsbox tracks your full customer history — names, devices, past repairs. You know exactly who to reach out to and what they brought in last time.

8. Create Content That Answers Questions

People Google their problems before they Google repair shops:

"MacBook won't turn on"
"iPhone screen flickering"
"Is it worth repairing a 5-year-old laptop?"

Write simple blog posts or create short videos answering these questions. Include your shop info and location. When someone in your city searches "MacBook won't turn on [city]," your content shows up.

This is free, it compounds over time (a blog post from 6 months ago still ranks), and it positions you as the expert.

9. Offer a Referral Program

Word of mouth is the best marketing channel for local businesses. A referral program formalizes it:

"Refer a friend → you both get $10 off your next repair"
Print referral cards customers can hand out
Track who referred who (so you can thank them)

techsbox has a built-in referral system — unique codes, automatic tracking, redemption history. Your customers do your marketing for you.

The Compound Effect

None of these are overnight wins. But they stack:

Google Business Profile → you show up in local search
Reviews → you outrank competitors with fewer reviews
Website → visitors convert to customers 24/7
Social media → builds familiarity and trust
Local groups → direct referrals
Partnerships → warm introductions
Email → repeat business
Content → long-term organic traffic
Referrals → customers bring customers

After 3-6 months of consistent effort, you'll have a marketing machine running on autopilot. That's when paid ads actually make sense — you're amplifying something that already works.

Start Today

Pick one thing from this list. Do it this week. Next week, add another. In a month you'll have four marketing channels running that cost you nothing but time.

If you need a home base for it all — a website, booking system, customer database, and referral program in one place — start free with techsbox.

Robert Dale Smith is the founder of techsbox, repair shop management software built for independent repair shops. He spent years behind the bench before building the tools he wished he had.

How to Market Your Repair Shop on a $0 Budget