Whether you are a start-up or a seasoned business owner, your business needs to be seen. The methods used ten years ago may not function at their best now, or as we have seen in recent times, some more traditional face to face methods are non-existent. The worldwide web is a hectic space. A digital market full of all sorts of businesses, some like yours, all jostling to be seen. So how do you strive to stake your pitch on your local patch digitally?
Google My Business An ideal way to appear in local search is to create a free listing with Google My Business. Having a business profile helps attract customers when they are searching on google. Regular postings to your GMB profile lets Google know you are still active and contributes to you showing up in map searches and local search results. To create an account and maintain an account is FREE.
If you are active on social media, then some of your posts should include appealing local content and where possible have relevant hashtags and locations on your posts. The more active you are, the better, as Google searches for social media activity. Consider a more targetted approach through ads where you can be specific about the demographics.
If you have a website, this too should be optimised for local keywords. Add in some educational and informational blog content with relevant local keywords. Blog content is ideal when the majority of your website is static. It keeps it fresh and lets relevant search engines place you. If this kind of activity phases you or depletes valuable time, get someone in who knows what they are doing.
Connect with other local businesses. Can you collaborate with complementary but non-competitive businesses through email marketing, joint digital campaigns?
While most people will actively search online, we must always be mindful of those who do not use technology but are quite happy flipping through the local rag or magazine. Consider a listing or a regular advert in a magazine that covers your demographic.
“People shop and learn in a whole new way compared to just a few years ago, so marketers need to adapt or risk extinction.” - HubSpot
It's easy to stick to what you know when it comes to marketing. However, it pays to invest in adapting and innovating to be where your customers can be found.
Yours socially
Micala