15 Ways to Win New Customers on a Small Budget

A practical guide aimed at computer shops, repair stores, and local IT businesses

Most tech shops don’t struggle because they lack skill. They struggle because the money side and the “getting found” side gets left until it’s painful.

In 2026, people don’t “browse” like they used to. They search on Google Maps, they look at reviews, they tap the first call button they trust, and sometimes they get an AI summary that only mentions a couple of local options. Local visibility comes down to three things: how close you are, how well you match the search, and how well known and trusted you look online.

This article is built around two goals:

1. Stop leaks in your time and profit

2. Get a steady flow of new customers without spending big money

The quick foundation check (do this first)

Before you chase new customers, make sure every new job is actually worth doing.

1) Split labour and parts in your tracking

If you don’t separate them, you can be “busy” and still be broke.

2) Set a minimum margin on parts and stick to it

One under-priced SSD or screen a day adds up fast.

3) Watch cash flow weekly, not monthly

Cash flow is what keeps the doors open. Profit is what keeps you in business long term.

4) Stop accidental freebies

A “quick look” turns into a 30 minute job very easily. Decide what’s free, and what isn’t, then be consistent.

15 ways to win new customers (without a big budget)

1) Turn your top services into simple, fixed price offers

People love clear pricing. Start with 5 to 10 of your most common jobs, for example: diagnostics, SSD upgrade, Windows reinstall, laptop clean out, data transfer, screen replacement labour, virus removal. Put the price, what’s included, and the usual turnaround time.

2) Make your Google Business Profile complete and alive

This is still the fastest win for local shops. The basics matter more than people think. Do these:

• Correct category for what you do

• Accurate address and opening times

• Services list filled in properly

• Photos that show the shop, the team, the bench, and real work

• Weekly posts (even short ones)

  
  

3) Ask for reviews in the moment, every day

Make it part of the handover:

• “If you’re happy, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review?”

• Show a QR code on the counter

• Ask for one sentence about what you did and what they liked

  
  

4) Reply to every review (yes, even the good ones)

It shows you’re active and professional. For negative ones, stay calm, invite them back privately, and never argue in public.

5) Create one page per service on your website

A single “services” page is not enough anymore. Dedicated service pages help customers find exactly what they need. Keep each page simple:

• What the service is

• Who it’s for

• Typical problems you fix

• Price range or fixed price

• What customers should bring in

• A clear call button

  
  

6) Make your website phone first

Most local customers are on mobile. If your phone number is not a tap to call button at the top, you’re losing work.

7) Offer a same day triage slot

Even if the full repair takes longer, people want fast answers. Offer a limited number of same day checks. You control the workload by limiting slots, not by saying yes to everyone.

8) Use Windows 10 end of support as a steady work stream

Windows 10 support ended in October 2025. In 2026, people will still walk in with Windows 10 machines. Create a simple upgrade service:

• Compatibility check

• Backup

• Upgrade to Windows 11 where possible

• If not possible, offer clear options (refurb, new build, or a secure replacement plan)

  
  

9) Sell outcomes, not parts

Instead of “16GB RAM upgrade”, sell “faster startup and smoother multitasking”. Instead of “Wi-Fi adapter”, sell “fix weak Wi-Fi in the back room”.

10) Build one local partnership per month

Small budget, big results:

• Local schools (laptop support days)

• Small businesses (on call support)

• Estate agents (home office setup packs)

• Gaming cafes (PC health checks)

• Phone shops (laptop referrals, you send phone work back)

  
  

11) Put a referral offer on every receipt and invoice

Make it simple:

• “Send a friend, both get £10 off labour”

• Or “Free laptop clean out with your next repair” Track it with a basic code on the receipt.

  
  

12) Post short, useful videos (no fancy editing required)

Two styles that work well:

• Quick tips (30 to 60 seconds)

• Before and after repairs (with customer permission)Keep it local: mention your town, show the shop sign, show the team.

  
  

13) Build an urgent help landing page

People search in panic:

• “Laptop won’t turn on”

• “PC is slow”

• “Spilled water on laptop”

• “Hacked email”Make one page that lists what to do first, then how you can help, then a call button.

  
  

14) Follow up every job with a simple message

A basic text or email:

• “All OK since the repair?”

• “If you need anything else, reply here”

• “If you were happy, here’s our review link” This turns one job into repeat work and reviews.

  
  

15) Track only 5 numbers, every week

If you track everything, you track nothing. Use these 5:

• Jobs booked

• Average labour per job

• Parts margin

• Comebacks and returns

• Cash in vs cash out due this week

  
  

Don’t get caught out on returns and complaints

Being clear protects you and reassures the customer.

Keep it simple:

• Put your terms on the invoice

• Explain what is covered for parts and labour

• Get approval for extra costs before you do the work

• Keep notes and photos for tricky jobs

• Be clear on turnaround expectations and what counts as “urgent”

  
  

The weekly routine that keeps this running

If you only do one thing each week, do this:

• 1 Google Business Profile post

• Ask for reviews every day

• Reply to reviews

• Check your 5 numbers

• Improve one service page or offer