How to Create a Local Business Presence in the US, UK, or Canada Remotely

Let’s be real, going global used to mean hopping on planes, renting pricey office space, and basically setting up shop halfway across the world. But today? You can expand your business into new countries while sitting comfortably at home in your favorite sweatpants.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not. If you’re trying to reach customers in the US, UK, or Canada, you don’t need a passport. You just need a smart strategy and a few tools.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up a local presence, no travel, no leases, no stress.

Why a Local Presence Actually Matters

So, what’s the big deal about being “local,” anyway?

Well, people trust businesses that seem familiar. Whether it’s a phone number that starts with their area code or a website showing a nearby address, these little cues build credibility. To a customer, it feels like, “Hey, this company gets me.”

And it’s not just about vibes. Search engines like Google love local businesses. If you’re showing up in the right places with the right info, boom, you’re in the running for better visibility, more clicks, and more sales.

Translation: Going local can pay off big time.

Pick Your Playground: US, UK, or Canada?

Before you start putting digital roots down, it helps to know where you’re planting them.

Each country has its quirks:

• United States: Massive market, loads of opportunity, but also highly competitive. You’ll need to stand out.
• United Kingdom: Tight-knit, high-trust economy. Think quality over quantity. Also, watch your spelling, “favourite” not “favorite,” you know?
• Canada: Tech-savvy, bilingual in many regions, and often overlooked. Pro tip: being one of the few international players here can be a good thing.

Not sure where to start? Consider your current audience. Are you already seeing traffic from one of these regions? That’s your sign.

Start with a Local Phone Number (Seriously)

This might seem minor, but it’s a game-changer. People are way more likely to pick up a call from a number that looks local.

It also helps if you want to run ads, send texts, or handle support in a way that feels native to your new market.

Now, no, you don’t need to buy a burner phone in Toronto or rent a London landline. That’s where virtual numbers come in. With EasyRinger’s paid virtual number, you can instantly get a local area code in any of these regions, making your business look like it’s just around the corner. It’s quick, affordable, and way more convincing than an international number showing up on caller ID.

You get a legit-looking local number that rings wherever you want it to. Easy, right?

Claim a Local Address (Without Leasing a Building)

Don’t panic. You’re not buying real estate.

All you need is a business address that makes you look local. Virtual mailbox services and coworking spaces often offer this for a monthly fee.

You’ll get:

• A mailing address that looks real (because it is)
• Mail forwarding, scanning, or even reception services
• A local footprint without the overhead

Just avoid PO boxes, they can look sketchy to customers and search engines alike. A suite number in a business center? Much better.

Local Pages for Local People

Next up, your website.

If you want to rank locally and resonate with your new audience, you’ve gotta show up like you’re already there.

How?

• Add a location-specific landing page for each country (e.g., yoursite.com/uk)
• Include your new phone number and local address
• Feature testimonials or reviews from customers in that region if you’ve got them

Search engines love this kind of content. And so do users—it shows that you’ve taken the time to speak directly to them, not just spray one message across the globe.

Bonus points if you tweak your language and phrasing to match local lingo. Small differences, big impact.

Get Yourself on Google (and Friends)

Now that you’ve got a number, an address, and some location-specific content, it’s time to make it official.

Start with:

• Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business): Crucial for US and Canadian visibility
• Bing Places: A must if you’re targeting the UK
• Local directories: Yelp, Yellow Pages, and niche industry platforms relevant to your service

Each of these listings increases your legitimacy, helps customers find you, and boosts your SEO. Just make sure your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are exactly the same across all listings.

Consistency is key. Don’t mix up Suite 200 with #200 or spell your business name differently in each place.

Currency and Time Zones: The Devil’s in the Details

Imagine this, you’re shopping online, everything’s great… then you get hit with prices in a currency you don’t recognize. Yikes. Conversion rates, foreign transaction fees, uncertainty, no thanks.

Make it easy for your customers:

• Show prices in their local currency
• Offer local payment options (PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, etc.)
• Use tools like Calendly or Acuity that detect and adjust for time zones when booking meetings

It might seem small, but these little touches go a long way in making someone feel like they’re dealing with a local business, not some faraway stranger.

Bring Out the (Local) Receipts

This is where social proof shines.

People want to see that others like them trust you. So if you’ve worked with any clients, influencers, or businesses in your target region—shout it from the digital rooftops.

Feature:

• Case studies from local customers
• Testimonials with city names or country tags
• Screenshots or mentions of local media or partnerships

And don’t forget to localize your images too. A street sign from Toronto or a skyline shot of London does more than look pretty—it signals that you’re legit.

Make Some Local Friends

You don’t have to go it alone.

Connecting with local influencers, micro-creators, or affiliate partners can be a smart shortcut into a new market. These folks already have the trust and attention of the people you’re trying to reach.

Reach out with genuine offers:

• Guest post swaps
• Podcast interviews
• Referral programs
• Affiliate commissions

Just be clear on your value and easy to work with. You’re not just asking for exposure, you’re starting a relationship.

Keep an Eye on What’s Working

Don’t just set it and forget it.

Track how each country is performing. Tools like Google Analytics (or GA4) let you see where your traffic is coming from, what’s converting, and where users drop off.

Set up location-specific goals and tweak accordingly:

• Are people in the UK bouncing faster than US visitors?
• Is Canada seeing better email signup rates?
• Are calls coming in from your new virtual number?

You won’t get everything perfect on the first try, and that’s okay. But the more you refine, the more you’ll learn, and the faster you’ll grow.

Final Thoughts: You’re More Local Than You Think

Here’s the truth: You don’t need a visa, a storefront, or a team on the ground to look and feel local anymore.

What you do need is intention.

A local number. A believable address. A few smart tweaks to your website and your messaging. It’s all totally doable, without leaving your desk.

So if you’ve been thinking, “It’d be awesome to break into a new market, but it sounds like a hassle,” now you know it doesn’t have to be.

Start with one country. Try one or two of the tips above. See what happens.

Who knows? Your next loyal customer might be just a few thousand miles, and one well-placed virtual number away.

Visit the rest of the site for more interesting and useful articles.