Whitby Small Business Guide to Holiday Digital Marketing

The holiday season is one of the busiest and most profitable times of year for Whitby and Durham Region small businesses. Whether you’re a retailer in downtown Whitby, a service provider in Oshawa, or a restaurant in Ajax, having a strong online presence during November and December can make all the difference.

But competition is fierce. Shoppers are searching online for local deals, comparing businesses, and making buying decisions before they even walk through your door. To stand out, you need a holiday marketing plan that combines website updates, local SEO, email marketing, and creative social media.

1. Refresh Your Website for the Holidays

Your website should reflect the season. Customers expect to see festive visuals and clear information about holiday offers.

• Seasonal Banners & Graphics - Swap out your homepage hero image for holiday-themed visuals or banners highlighting your specials.

• Feature Promotions Front & Centre - Make sure seasonal offers are visible without scrolling.

• Holiday Landing Pages - Create dedicated pages for gift guides, bundles, or promotions. Include local keywords like “Whitby holiday deals” or “Durham Region Christmas specials.”

2. Use Seasonal Keywords in Your SEO

People search differently during the holidays. Update your meta descriptions, headings, and product/service descriptions with seasonal keywords. Examples:

• “Whitby holiday catering”

• “Durham Region Christmas gift ideas”

3. Leverage Google Business Profile (GBP)

Your Google Business Profile should be holiday-ready:

• Update holiday hours early so customers know when you’re open.

• Add festive photos of products, your storefront, or your team.

• Publish Google Posts with holiday offers, events, or last-minute deals.

4. Run a Holiday Email Campaign

Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to drive holiday sales.

• Segment Your List - Send tailored messages to VIPs, past buyers, and new leads.

• Countdown Emails - Build urgency with “X days left” promotions.

• Exclusive Offers - Reward loyal customers with early access or special discounts.

5. Get Social, with Local Flair

Post regularly on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn with content that mixes promotions and engagement.

• Share photos from Whitby holiday events.

• Run “12 Days of Deals” campaigns.

• Feature gift ideas from local makers or partners.

6. Make the Most of Local Events

If your business participates in local markets or festivals, such as the Whitby Lights the Night Festival or Oshawa Holiday Market, promote it heavily on your website, GBP, and social channels. Make sure that customers can easily find you by including dates, times, and booth numbers.

The holidays are your chance to connect with customers at an emotional, high-intent buying stage. A combination of seasonal website updates, targeted local SEO, active Google Business Profile management, and creative campaigns can make this your best season yet.

Ready to boost your holiday sales? Bloomtools Durham can help you design seasonal landing pages, run festive campaigns, and optimize your online presence for local customers.