By Pallavi Thakur 
You’ve taken the smart leap by using free ads for small businesses to promote your company. You’ve ditched the expensive, confusing ad campaigns and started promoting with free ads and coupons on platforms like LocolDeal. It’s a game-changer: you’re attracting new customers, building loyalty, and driving sales without the hefty marketing budget.
But here’s the question we hear all the time: “If my ads are free, how do I know if they’re actually working?”
Tracking performance isn’t just for big-budget campaigns. In fact, it’s even more critical when you’re using free tools. You need to know what’s bringing customers in the door so you can do more of it. Forget guesswork—let’s talk simple, actionable tracking.
Why Bother Tracking Free Ads?
Simply put, tracking turns “hoping” into “knowing.” It shows you:
- Which coupon brings in the most customers?
- If your exclusive deals are creating the word-of-mouth referrals you want.
- How effectively are you building customer loyalty?
- Your true return on investment (ROI), even when your investment is just your time.
Key Metrics to Watch for Your Free Listings
You don’t need complex dashboards. Focus on these essentials:
- Impressions & Views: How many times has your deal been seen? On LocolDeal, this means your listing is getting eyeballs, increasing your visibility to a wider audience. More views = greater awareness.
- Clicks & Engagement: Are people clicking to see more details or to save your coupon? This shows initial interest and is the first step to a conversion.
- Redemptions & Conversions: This is the gold standard. How many people actually used your coupon or mentioned your deal? This directly measures sales driven by your free ad.
- Customer Source Questions: Simply ask new customers, “How did you hear about us?” Make “LocolDeal” or a specific coupon code an option. The answers are pure gold.
How to Track: Your Simple 4-Step Plan
Step 1: Use Unique Coupon Codes or Keywords.
When you post your weekly deals and specials on LocolDeal, create a code just for that platform. For example, “LOCALLOVE10” for 10% off. When a customer uses it, you know exactly where they came from. No code? Train staff to ask for the “LocolDeal offer.”
Step 2: Leverage Your Free Platform Tools.
On LocolDeal, you can easily manage and update your listings weekly. Pay attention to the engagement you see on your dashboard. Notice which deals get more clicks or direct messages through the site’s portal. This direct feedback loop tells you what your customers want.
Step 3: Communicate & Collect Data.
Use the direct communication portal on the platform. When a potential customer messages to ask if a deal is available, you’ve not only confirmed a lead but also started a relationship. You can then politely inquire what caught their eye.
Step 4: Analyze and Adapt.
After a few weeks, look at the data. Which coupon had the highest redemption? Was it the free dessert or the 20% off service? Use that insight to create your next amazing deal. Free advertising gives you the flexibility to test and tweak effortlessly.
Your Effortless Growth Partner
At LocolDeal, we believe advertising online shouldn’t be pricey or complicated. Our platform is built to give businesses of all sizes a fair chance to shine. The beauty of posting free coupons and deals on our site is that you can track real-world results without any financial risk.
Why pay for costly advertising when you can promote your business for free, learn exactly what works, and pour your resources into what actually drives growth?
Ready to Start Tracking Your Success?
It’s time to stop wondering and start knowing.
👉 Sign up today—no credit card required—and create your free store. Share your special offers, showcase your business with catchy photos, and use the simple tracking methods above to watch your business grow effortlessly.
Explore Coupons & Start Your Free Listing Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if an ad is working?
You know your free ad is working when it generates measurable results. On a platform like LocolDeal, this means seeing your coupon get saved and redeemed, receiving direct customer inquiries through the site portal, and ultimately, seeing new faces mention your deal when they visit or a noticeable uptick in sales for the promoted service or product. The direct link between the ad and the customer action is your proof of success.
How to measure the effectiveness of online advertising?
You measure effectiveness by tracking specific actions customers take because of your ad. For free online ads and coupons, like those on LocolDeal, focus on key metrics: Impressions (how many saw your deal), Clicks/Engagement (who showed interest), and most importantly, Redemptions (who used your coupon). The simplest way is to use unique coupon codes and ask customers, “How did you hear about us?” to directly link sales to your free advertising efforts.
What is the best free advertising for small businesses?
The best free advertising is on a targeted platform where your ideal customers are already looking for deals. Posting free coupons and special offers on a local-focused marketplace like LocolDeal is highly effective. It allows you to reach a wider audience, build customer loyalty through exclusive deals, and drive sales without any upfront cost, making it an affordable and efficient choice for growth.
How to track ad performance effectively?
Track performance effectively with a simple 4-step plan: First, use unique coupon codes for each campaign. Second, leverage your free platform’s tools (like your LocolDeal dashboard) to monitor views and clicks. Third, communicate directly with leads through the platform’s portal to understand their interest. Fourth, analyze the data weekly to see which deals are redeemed most and adapt your offers accordingly.