Local Business Marketing Guide

Marketing a local business can feel like a daunting task. With competition on search engines and social media rife as more and more businesses rely on these platforms to get customers, trying to compete with the more established brands online can be a real pain, especially for local businesses. The only saving grace is that search engines have recognised this fact and have made local search an essential part of their services/platforms, making it a tad easier for local business to market their businesses.

Herein we will explore just how you can promote your local business with these tips by Leapfrog Internet Marketing.

Online Marketing For Your Local Business

#1. Your Website

You do not need a complicated or expensive website to thrive. You just need a website that explains what you do and why customers should bring their business to you. As such, the website should contain essential information, including your contact details and location. Importantly, you should explain the goods and services that you offer to your customers and clients.

To make it easier for your customers to use your website, you need to structure the site well and make it easy for them to navigate the website. Make it simple for the website users to find the information they need before they come to your location or make a call. Essentially, build a website that works for your customers.

#2. Local SEO

Search Engine Optimisation is the process of optimising your website to rank as high as possible on search engines. The higher you rank your website, the better your site will perform on the traffic and conversion front.

To keep it simple, ensure your website has your name address and phone number on web pages. Make sure you use the same address format on your website as you use in Google My Business account. You can also embed Google Maps to help your customers find your location quickly.

# 3. Google My Business

When you search for a “coffee shop near me,” the search engine results page will present a map panel with listings before the typical link listings. The panel contains local businesses, and they are presented purely based on the business type and location. No SEO is in place here. This is the main reason you should sign up with Google My Business. Additionally, the service is free, and there is no impediment for you to sign up.

#4. Get Links From Other Relevant Websites

One of the best ways to improve your local search marketing does not entail tweaking your website but rather getting other websites to link to your site. To this end, you should endeavor to have your business featured on local directories, including Yell.com. Such listing and the backlinks that come with the listing can have a positive impact on your SEO.

Aside from the SEO benefit of the backlink, you will also gain some referral traffic from the listing. Some of your customers will come from the directories, which can be helpful, especially when you are starting out.

#5. Improve Your Content

The content you have on your website is critical to the success of your business. It is curial that you create the right type of content for your customers and clients.

Blogging is an integral part of local business marketing. It will help you build a brand while bolstering your overall ranking on search engines. It is for this reason that most companies have and run a blog on their website. Keep your blog relevant; you can talk about your past jobs or any upcoming projects that you will eventually feature on your blog.

#6. Social Media

Social media has increased in importance in the last few years. Many businesses have set up social media pages and profiles to benefit from free exposure and marketing on these platforms, and it has proved successful for many of the companies. In the local business context, using social media helps you share your content with friends and customers in your locality, which ultimately helps you spread information about your business to more potential customers.