Make Local Marketing Work for You
You are a business owner with big dreams and lofty goals, and you want your company to be a success. You also know that to achieve success, you need to market properly. As a relatively small business, you do not have the money or the time to waste on ineffectual marketing methods. Focusing on local marketing that can get people through your doors is essential, and we want to provide you with some methods of local marketing that can work well for your business.
You Need to Have a Strong Online Presence
In today’s world, when people need just about anything, they turn to the Internet for help. They use the web when they are looking up places to eat, places to shop, things to buy, reviews, and the like. Therefore, you need to have a strong presence on the web, which can help to increase the possibility of people finding your business. There are certain things you can do to help increase that likelihood further.
Work on your website’s content, and make sure the quality is up to pat with what your customers and potential customers expect. Having great content, and plenty of it, is very important when it comes to the search engines. In addition, you need to make sure you are localizing the content. This simply means you need to use your location in the content, and in other areas of your site. If you are in the Outer Banks, make sure to mention the location naturally in the content.
For example, let’s say your business in the Outer Banks rents bicycles and other items to residents and visitors who want to use them. In the blog posts you write, you would simply mention “bike rentals in the Outer Banks” or similar phrases. Take the normal keyword phrases you would use and consider adding those localizing terms to them – just don’t go overboard with them. You want everything to look and sound natural.
Having the location in the content will help with your rankings in the search engines, as many people also input the location in their searches. In addition, some of the browsers, as well as phones, know the location of the person searching, and help to point them in the direction of local businesses that have what they need.
You should also make sure you are on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook. However, do not overlook the power of Instagram and Snapchat, as these are becoming quite popular. Having accounts set up, and working to grow your followers and presence in the community can help with your marketing.
Make Sure You Consider Mobile Users
How do you check for restaurant reviews or to look for a place to get gas when you are out and in a new location? Most people today have smartphones, and they are using those phones to get online to do just about everything, including looking at your website. As we mentioned, you need to have a great website. However, you also need to make sure the website looks good and is easy to use from various devices including various types of smartphone, as well as tablets, laptops, and desktops. Having a responsive site design, or even a separate site for mobile users, is important. If you haven’t taken the time yet, check out what your company’s website looks like on your smartphone. Is it difficult to navigate? Is it frustrating? Your customers do not want to deal with this, and they shouldn’t.
Consider Using Promotions
Something else you might want to do when you are marketing your brick and mortar business is offer special promotions. You can advertise promotions or freebies quite in your store, as well as through your online channels, such as your website and social media. People always like to feel as though they are getting a great deal, and having some type of freebie or promotion is a good option. It can also build good will with customers. In addition, it can lead to word of mouth, especially with local customers.
Become a Part of Online Business Directories
Another great way to get your business seen and to get more people through your doors is to make sure you are a part of online business directories. A number of directories are out there today, including those from large companies, such as Google and Yahoo. It’s a good idea to be a part of those directories, for certain. However, you should also look at some of the smaller, niche business directories in your area. Make sure you are a part of those directories, as well. It can boost your company’s SEO, knowledge of your brand, and help your business to get found.
Good Customer Service
When it comes to customers in the local area, and those who will be visiting, having a good reputation is essential. If you hope to do good business, you need to provide your customers with the care and service they expect and deserve. Failure to do so means you will end up getting negative word of mouth online and offline. People will leave bad reviews about your company. They will tell their friends and neighbors to avoid you and to go to the competition instead.
You need to strive to provide the very best when it comes to products and services, and to handle any problems a customer might have as quickly as you can. You never want them to feel as though you are brushing them aside or that you do not care about them after you have their money in your hands. Treat the customers well, and they will treat you well with excellent reviews and great word of mouth.
If you have a brick and mortar business, whether you are offering services or products, you need to make sure you are marketing locally for the best results. Use these tips, and continue learning how to improve your marketing skills.
