Starting a business in Lagos, California, london or any major city around the world can feel like stepping into a marketplace that never sleeps. The opportunities are endless, but so is the competition. If you want your business to thrive, you’ll need more than just a good idea. You need a plan, visibility, and the right channels to reach your customers.
Let me walk you through, we’ll break down key considerations when starting a business in Lagos (and other cities globally) and highlighting why you need them and where you can place ads for massive growth.
Key Things to Consider Before Starting a Business in a major city
- Understand the Market
Every city has its own rhythm, and Lagos is no different. Enen if you’re selling food, offering logistics services, or starting a fashion brand, research is everything. Look at who your customers are, what they’re currently buying, and how your business can solve their problems better.
- Location vs. Online Presence
Physical location is still important, but in today’s world, your online presence can matter even more. Customers will likely discover your brand on social media or through a search engine before they walk into your shop. Invest in both.
- Legal & Regulatory Setup
Register your business, get the necessary permits, and understand local taxation. Many new entrepreneurs skip this, only to run into avoidable fines and restrictions later.
- Competition Awareness
Major city has a high density of entrepreneurs. Instead of fearing competition, study them. What are they doing right? Where are they missing the mark? Those gaps can become your opportunities.
- Marketing & Advertising Strategy
No matter how good your product is, if people don’t know about it, sales won’t come. Traditional word of mouth is great, but digital advertising gives you scale. This is where choosing the right platforms becomes essential.
10 Websites to Place Ads for Massive Business Growth
Here are ten websites (global and local) where you can showcase your business to get visibility and attract new customers.
Google Ads remain the king of digital visibility. With billions of searches daily, you can target people actively searching for products or services like yours. No matter what a local restaurant or a tech startup, being discoverable on Google gives your business credibility and reach.
Facebook and Instagram together have over 3 billion users worldwide. Through Meta Ads Manager, you can target people by interest, age, location, and even behavior. For a Lagos-based business, you can start small and grow your campaigns as you scale.
If your business is B2B (business-to-business), LinkedIn is your goldmine. Professionals use LinkedIn daily to network, learn, and discover services. A well-placed ad here can connect you to decision-makers and clients with spending power.
Trends move fast on Twitter (now X). If your business wants to be part of real-time conversations, Twitter Ads can push your brand to the front. It’s particularly useful for media, entertainment, tech, and lifestyle products.
Nairaland remains one of Africa’s largest online forums with millions of monthly visitors. If you’re targeting Nigerians or Africans in general, placing ads here helps you tap into discussions on business, lifestyle, education, and jobs.
Though more popular in Western countries, Craigslist is still a powerful listing site for services and products. If you’re looking at international customers or expatriates, it’s worth considering.
If you’re running a service-oriented business on graphic design, consulting, or digital marketing you can advertise and promote your services on freelancing platforms like Fiverr and Upwork. These platforms are global marketplaces where clients actively search for talent.
- Medium (Sponsored Content)
Advertising doesn’t always have to be banners. Sponsored posts or articles on platforms like Medium give your business authority. By writing about your industry and inserting your business solutions naturally, you attract a knowledge-hungry audience.
People go to Quora to ask questions and seek recommendations. Running ads here allows your business to appear alongside discussions that matter to your customers. For example, if someone asks, “Best courier service in Lagos?” your ad could be the first thing they see.
- Kymjojobs <<<<Advertise with Us
Finally, one of the most unique and affordable platforms for growing businesses is Kymjojobs. Unlike many ad platforms that get crowded, Kymjojobs provides businesses with targeted visibility among a professional and career-driven audience.
If you’re promoting training, services, or job openings, this platform ensures your ad reaches people who are actively looking for opportunities. It’s not just another job board it’s a community-driven ecosystem where businesses and talents meet.
Keep in mind that starting a business in Lagos or anywhere in the world is not just about having capital. It’s about making smart moves: understanding your market, positioning yourself properly, and ensuring people know you exist.
Advertising is one of the fastest ways to gain visibility. From Google Ads to LinkedIn, from Nairaland to Kymjojobs, the right mix of platforms can bring you customers locally and globally.
The key is to start small, test what works, and then scale. Your business deserves to be seen don’t let it remain hidden in the crowd everyone has something special they want to bring to the public only those who are actively working on it gets to the top. With this i believe your business can move from a small business to a multi million dollar company.