What do you do when looking for a nice restaurant that sells lamb chops in a new town?
You probably open a search engine and type ‘best lamb chops near me.’ The businesses you see on the first results page don’t show up by chance—they’ve invested in local marketing strategies to rank well on search engines.
According to HubSpot, 88% of consumers who search for local businesses on their smartphones will visit them soon or contact them about their products or services. If you don’t have a local SEO strategy for your business, you’re missing out on selling opportunities.
Most small businesses don’t market locally due to tight marketing budgets and a lack of knowledge about local marketing. The right marketing strategies will put your local business in front of your target audience, even if you have a tight budget.
Here are five effective local marketing ideas to help you sell to your community.
Run Targeted Google Ads
Google has the largest search engine market share worldwide, with almost four billion internet users preferring it to Yahoo and Bing. It allows you to target local prospects through search engine marketing (SEM), pay-per-click ads, and local service ads.
There are several ways to customize your Google ads for local searches. Try the following strategies:
- Create or revamp your business profile listing on Google
- Use location extension on Google ads
- Use the right keywords and optimize your ads and content
- Set up proximity/radius targeting on your ads
- Add a phone call extension
Leverage Social Media Ads
You can create targeted social media ads that reach local consumers, reducing your ad spend. Target interested buyers and not strangers in distant locations. Facebook lets you target particular users in your ads and sponsored posts, such as those within a 10-mile radius or those who commented on a competitor’s page. You can also focus on a specific gender or age group.
For example, if you own a local barbershop and want to connect with prospects through Facebook, you can set your target radius to 10 miles and focus on males to target men in your locality.
Create a Loyalty Program
One of the best ways to appeal to the locals is by creating a loyalty program. A loyalty program boosts sales, attracts new customers, and helps you retain your clients. There are many loyalty programs small businesses can offer, from loyalty cards and membership cards to seasonal gift cards.
Such a program may increase your marketing budget, but the sales and profits are worth it. If your funds are limited, you can consider taking a secured loan and using your car as collateral. Search for “car title loans online” to find a reputable lender in your area.
Interact Offline with Your Potential Customers
Interacting offline with potential customers makes your business seem trustworthy. Research shows that 89% of Americans are likely to switch to a product associated with a community cause. Participate in community initiatives such as sports competitions and giveaways. Networking will bring more customers to your business and retain those you already have.
List Your Business in Local Directories
Listing your business in local and online directories makes it easy for customers to locate it. You can add your business address, email, phone number, and website URL. Online directories like Yelp also allow customers to post reviews, which is another form of marketing.
Which local marketing strategy will you execute first?
