August may feel like the tail end of summer, but for many businesses, it’s the real start of a new season. Back-to-school season is one of the biggest marketing opportunities of the year, and it doesnโt just apply to big box stores selling pencils and notebooks. From local service providers and kid-focused businesses to wellness brands and retail shops, everyone can benefit from a little back-to-school strategy. And it all starts with your website.
Soโask yourself: is your website ready to handle the traffic, search queries, and conversions that come with the back-to-school rush? If not, donโt worry. Weโve got you. At Flyt Creative, we work with clients all over the Southeast and beyond to create websites and marketing strategies that stay one step ahead. Hereโs how to make sure your website is doing the heavy lifting this August.
Why Back-to-School Season Matters for Businesses
Itโs Not Just for Retailers
When people hear โback to school,โ they often think of retail giants running big box sales on backpacks and laptops. But in reality, this season affects a wide range of industriesโeducation consultants, after-school programs, hair salons, tutoring services, pediatricians, therapists, local restaurants near schools, even real estate agents helping families move before the semester starts. Basically, if your business serves families, students, or educational institutions in any way, nowโs the time to pay attention.
Search Trends Shift in August
In August, online searches shift toward school prep. That includes everything from โbest lunch ideas for kidsโ and โfirst day of school outfitsโ to โwhere to buy uniforms near meโ and โafter school activities in [your town].โ Optimizing your website to meet these seasonal needs helps you stay visible when it matters most.
Tip #1: Update Your Homepage with Seasonal Messaging
Make It Clear You’re In Tune with Your Audience
Your homepage is prime real estate. If youโre still showing summer-focused messaging in late August, itโs time to pivot. Add a seasonal banner, a back-to-school headline, or a timely call-to-action that shows your business understands what your customers are thinking about right now.
For example:
A salon could highlight “Back-to-School HaircutsโBook Before the Bell Rings!”
A tutoring center could use: “Get Ahead This SemesterโFall Sessions Now Open!”
A local cafรฉ might promote: “Grab-and-Go Breakfasts for Busy School Mornings”
Even a small message helps signal that your brand is relevant and responsive.
Tip #2: Refresh Your SEO for August and September Searches
Keywords Shift with the Seasons
SEO isnโt static. The keywords that helped you rank in June might not be pulling their weight in August. Use tools like Google Trends, Answer the Public, or even good ol’ Google autocomplete to research what people in your area are searching for during the back-to-school season.
Look for specific long-tail keywords like:
โBack-to-school haircuts near Myrtle Beachโ
โAffordable tutoring for high school students in Charlestonโ
โFirst day of school deals in Conway, SCโ
Then, weave those keywords naturally into your product pages, blog posts, headers, and meta descriptions.
Donโt Forget Local SEO
If your business serves a specific geographic area, make sure your website is optimized with local keywords. This includes updating your Google Business Profile, embedding a map on your contact page, and including neighborhood or city-specific phrases throughout your site.
Tip #3: Optimize for MobileโSeriously
Parents Are Searching on the Go
Think about whoโs planning for back-to-school: busy parents juggling carpools, work, and school supply lists. Most of them are doing their searching from a phone while waiting in line or sitting in the parking lot. If your website isnโt mobile-friendly, youโre going to lose them fast.
Check your site for:
Fast load times
Clickable buttons
Easy-to-read text
Mobile-friendly menus and forms
Pro tip: Use Googleโs free Mobile-Friendly Test tool to see how your site stacks up.
Tip #4: Create a Helpful (and Shareable) Resource
Make Content That Solves Problems
Back-to-school season can be stressful. If your brand can help make life a little easier, people will rememberโand share it. Think blog posts, downloadable checklists, or social media guides that are actually useful.
Some ideas:
โ5 Quick Weeknight Dinners for Back-to-School Chaosโ
โChecklist: Everything You Need for the First Week of High Schoolโ
โTop 10 Study Tips for Middle Schoolersโ
Use your websiteโs blog or resource center to publish these and link to your services or products where it makes sense. Bonus: This kind of helpful content performs well in search engines and keeps people on your site longer.
Tip #5: Check Your Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Make It Easy to Take the Next Step
Youโve updated your messaging, refreshed your SEO, and created contentโbut if your CTA isnโt clear and visible, itโs all for nothing. Every page should have a purpose and guide your visitors toward a next step.
CTAs that work well for August:
โSchedule Your Free Consultation Before Fall Slots Fill Upโ
โReserve Your Spot in Our Back-to-School Special Todayโ
โSign Up Now for Fall ClassesโLimited Availabilityโ
Make sure your CTAs are:
Clear
Mobile-friendly
Easy to find (above the fold, ideally)
Linked to fast-loading landing pages or forms
Tip #6: Donโt Forget Speed and Security
A Laggy Site = Lost Customers
Back-to-school shoppers (and search engines) are impatient. If your site takes more than a couple of seconds to load, theyโre bouncing. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to identify speed issues and fix them ASAP.
Also, make sure your site is secureโespecially if youโre collecting personal info for things like appointment scheduling or online registration. If you donโt already have an SSL certificate (that little lock icon in the browser bar), itโs time.
Tip #7: Promote on Social Media and Sync It with Your Website
Create a Seamless Experience Across Platforms
Once your website is updated, donโt forget to promote it. Create social posts that highlight your back-to-school offers, blog posts, or events and link back to your site. Use consistent visuals and messaging so the experience feels cohesive.
Examples:
A Facebook carousel featuring fall class offerings with direct links to book online
An Instagram reel showing BTS (behind-the-scenes!) prep at your store with a call to โclick the link in bioโ
A boosted post with a checklist freebie that links to your websiteโs lead capture form
Social traffic + optimized landing pages = a back-to-school win.
Final Thoughts: Donโt Sleep on August
August might be the last stretch of summer break, but from a marketing perspective, itโs the perfect time to get strategic. If your business serves students, families, or local schools in any way, now is the moment to tune up your website, update your content, and make it easy for customers to find you and take action.
At Flyt Creative, weโre all about helping businesses in the Southeast show up with purpose and personalityโespecially when it counts. If youโre feeling behind or just want a fresh pair of eyes on your site, reach out. Weโll help you get back-to-school ready in no time.
