How to Market My Business in Chatswood and the Upper Lower North Shore of Sydney
I grew up in Chatswood, watching it evolve from a predominantly Italian, Greek, Irish, and Anglo-Saxon Australian community into the multicultural powerhouse it is today. I remember we used to hang out in front of the library and at the bus stop near SDS at Victoria Road, where we Pius boys got to hang with the Mercy girls.
Back in the 90s, being Filipino-Australian was a rarity, and I remember the massive shift when Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997—suddenly, more Hong Kong Chinese families were moving in, and high-rise apartments began transforming the skyline. By the early 2000s, Chatswood as we see it today started to take shape.
Having lived in Willoughby, Middle Cove, Roseville, and Chatswood, I’ve experienced the unique business landscape of Sydney’s Upper Lower North Shore firsthand. If you want to successfully market a business here, you need a hyper-localised strategy that caters to the area’s diverse customer base and high commercial activity. What if, by next quarter, your business outranks competitors organically? When you apply these methods, you’ll begin to see stronger engagement and long-term customer loyalty.
Need help marketing your business in Chatswood? Book your FREE 1:1 consultation today and get started.
Understanding the Chatswood & North Shore Market
Demographics and Customer Behavior
Chatswood and its surrounding suburbs have a diverse customer base, from high-income professionals to young families and international residents. The area has a strong Chinese, Korean, and expat presence, which influences local business trends, particularly in the hospitality, retail, and tech sectors. Understanding this mix allows you to craft targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with your ideal audience.
Beyond residential customers, corporate clients and commuters are a major part of the business ecosystem, especially in St Leonards and Artarmon, where commercial hubs thrive. Marketing strategies that incorporate convenience, premium services, and exclusivity often perform well in this environment.
Competitive Landscape
Chatswood is a competitive marketplace, dominated by major shopping centres like Westfield Chatswood and Chatswood Chase. Boutique businesses can thrive here by focusing on brand differentiation, community engagement, and niche marketing. Meanwhile, professional services excel in St Leonards and Crows Nest, where B2B networking plays a crucial role in client acquisition.
Local SEO & Google My Business Optimisation
Optimising for Local Searches
A significant portion of Chatswood’s customer base searches for services online before making purchasing decisions. Having a well-optimised Google My Business (GMB) listing ensures that your business appears in local map searches, featured snippets, and “near me” results. By properly optimising your profile, you’ll increase visibility and attract more walk-in customers.
Building Local Authority with Content & Backlinks
To rank higher in local searches, businesses should focus on high-quality backlinks from local websites, community pages, and news outlets. Creating blog content that covers Chatswood-specific topics—such as “Best Cafés in Willougby” or “Top Financial Advisors in St Leonards”—establishes your authority in the region and improves organic rankings.
Need help with local marketing? Book your FREE 1:1 consultation today and get started.
Social Media Marketing for North Shore Businesses
Leveraging the Right Platforms
Different platforms yield different results depending on your business type. Facebook and Instagram work best for hospitality and retail, while LinkedIn is the go-to platform for B2B services in St Leonards and Artarmon. If you’re targeting Chinese-speaking audiences, platforms like WeChat can be game-changers.
Engaging the Local Community
Participating in community Facebook groups, collaborating with local influencers, and engaging in local events helps businesses foster strong relationships. Posting geo-targeted content, running localised ads, and leveraging social proof ensures that your brand remains top-of-mind for Sydney’s Lower North Shore customers.
Need a stronger Facebook strategy? Book your FREE 1:1 consultation today and get started.
Paid Advertising (Google Ads & Social Media Ads)
Geo-Targeted Google Ads
Running Google Ads with location targeting for Chatswood, Willoughby, Artarmon, St Leonards, Roseville, Killara, and Crows Nest helps reach customers actively searching for your services. Using high-intent keywords like “best cafés in Chatswood” or “top accountants in St Leonards” ensures your ads capture the right audience.
Facebook & Instagram Ads for Local Reach
Paid social media advertising allows businesses to retarget website visitors, promote seasonal offers, and reach highly specific customer segments. Targeting affluent suburbs like Killara and Roseville with premium service ads can drive higher conversions.
Community Engagement & Offline Marketing
Networking and Sponsorships
Being actively involved in the local community strengthens brand credibility. Sponsoring local events, school programs, or business networking groups builds goodwill and increases word-of-mouth referrals.
Cross-Promotions and Local Partnerships
Businesses can collaborate with complementary services (e.g., a fitness studio partnering with a health food café) to expand their customer base. Cross-promotional strategies increase exposure while keeping marketing costs low.
Reputation Management & Customer Reviews
Encouraging Positive Reviews
Online reviews heavily influence buying decisions. Encouraging satisfied customers to leave Google and Facebook reviews helps maintain a strong reputation. Additionally, responding to reviews—both positive and negative—demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction.
Managing Online Reputation Across Platforms
For businesses targeting Chatswood’s Chinese community, reputation management extends beyond Google. WeChat, Red (Xiaohongshu), and local forums play a crucial role in shaping brand perception.
Tracking Success & Adapting Strategy
Monitoring Key Metrics
Using tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Insights, businesses can track website traffic, engagement rates, and ad performance. Regularly assessing these metrics ensures that marketing efforts remain effective and cost-efficient.
Continuous Optimisation
Successful marketing is an ongoing process. Testing different ad creatives, tweaking SEO strategies, and adapting to consumer trends help businesses stay ahead in Chatswood’s dynamic market.
Is Chatswood Sydney a good area?
Chatswood is widely regarded as a fantastic area to live, work, and do business in, thanks to its strategic location, strong economy, and cultural vibrancy. Situated just 10 km north of the Sydney CBD, Chatswood is a major transport hub, offering train and metro connections that make commuting fast and convenient. This accessibility, combined with a thriving retail, hospitality, and business sector, makes it one of the most attractive locations for both residents and entrepreneurs.
For families, Chatswood offers highly-rated public and private schools, including Chatswood Public School, Willoughby Girls High School, and St Pius X College—the latter being where I attended high school. The diverse food scene, recreational spaces, and entertainment options at The Concourse further add to Chatswood’s appeal. Whether you’re looking for career opportunities, a strong investment location, or a vibrant social environment, Chatswood consistently ranks among Sydney’s most sought-after suburbs.
What percentage of Chatswood is Chinese?
Chatswood has one of the largest Chinese populations in Sydney, a transformation that began significantly in 1997 when Hong Kong was returned to China, leading to a major influx of Hong Kong Chinese migrants. Over the decades, the Chinese community has continued to grow, shaping Chatswood’s business landscape, culture, and food scene. As of the most recent census, approximately 35-40% of Chatswood’s population identifies as having Chinese ancestry, making it a dominant cultural group in the area.
This demographic shift has greatly influenced local businesses, education, and real estate trends. Many of restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping centres cater specifically to Chinese residents and visitors, with WeChat Pay and Alipay being widely accepted in stores. The presence of Chinese-speaking professionals in law, finance, and healthcare further reinforces Willoughby’s status as a key destination for Chinese migrants, investors, and business owners in Sydney.
What is Chatswood known for?
Chatswood is best known as a commercial, shopping, and dining hub on Sydney’s Upper Lower North Shore. With Westfield Chatswood, Chatswood Chase, and The Interchange, it serves as one of Sydney’s busiest retail precincts, attracting shoppers from all over the North Shore and beyond. From luxury fashion brands to Asian supermarkets, Chatswood offers a diverse retail experience that caters to both local and international markets.
Beyond shopping, Chatswood is famous for its multicultural dining scene, featuring highly rated dumpling houses, Korean BBQs, and traditional Cantonese restaurants. The suburb is also known for its strong Asian influence, particularly from the Chinese and Korean communities, which is reflected in local businesses, cultural festivals, and even the presence of bilingual signage in shopping centres. Additionally, its proximity to major business districts like St Leonards and North Sydney makes it a thriving area for corporate professionals and entrepreneurs.
Is the population growing in Chatswood?
Yes, Chatswood’s population has been steadily growing, driven by ongoing residential development and increased migration. Over the past two decades, the suburb has transformed with numerous high-rise apartment buildings, accommodating a rising demand for housing. The growth is fueled by international migration, particularly from China, Korea, and Southeast Asia, alongside young professionals and families looking for a well-connected and vibrant place to live.
With the area’s strong economy, high livability, and increasing employment opportunities, the demand for housing continues to rise. Developers have responded by constructing modern apartment complexes, mixed-use developments, and improved transport infrastructure, ensuring that Chatswood remains a highly attractive location for both investors and residents. The suburb’s role as a business and retail hub further contributes to this population growth, making it one of the most dynamic urban centres on Sydney’s North Shore.
Is Chatswood a CBD?
While Chatswood is not classified as Sydney’s main CBD, it functions as a secondary business district within the Upper Lower North Shore. It has a thriving commercial sector, with corporate offices, tech companies, and retail giants establishing their presence in the area. The Interchange and its Metro connection make it a critical transport hub, ensuring smooth connectivity to the Sydney CBD, North Sydney, and Macquarie Park.
Chatswood operates as a self-sustaining economic centre, providing jobs, retail, and entertainment opportunities without requiring residents to commute to the Sydney CBD. The high-rise skyline, corporate headquarters, and strong commercial infrastructure make it one of Sydney’s most important business hubs, functioning similarly to North Sydney, Parramatta, and Macquarie Park in economic significance. As urban development continues, Chatswood’s role as a secondary CBD is expected to strengthen even further.
Conclusion & Call-to-Action
Marketing a business in Chatswood and the Upper Lower North Shore requires a multi-layered approach that combines local SEO, social media engagement, paid ads, community involvement, and reputation management. When you implement these strategies, you’ll position your business for long-term success in one of Sydney’s most competitive markets.
If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, let’s build your Chatswood marketing strategy today.
About The Author
I’m Crom Salvatera, a digital marketing consultant and mentor. I grew up in Chatswood, studied at St Pius X , and have lived in Willoughby, Middle Cove, Roseville, and Chatswood. With over 20 years of experience in marketing, I help businesses thrive through structured, evidence-based digital strategies.
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