The benefits of online marketing aren’t just for national or global companies. Online local advertising empowers also businesses to expand their customer base in their own backyard.
In today’s digital era, it takes more than billboards, direct mail, and branded swag to build your local presence. If you want to attract the right clientele, you need to promote yourself on the same channels they’re using to find services like yours!
These seven techniques can help you leverage local advertising to its fullest potential:
1. Take Advantage of Online Local Listings
Free online listings like Google My Business, Bing, and Manta are among the first places people look when searching for a business.
Claim your free listings, then optimize them to encourage your searchers to call or click through to your website.
2. Target Local Keywords
Local SEO lets search engines know what market you cater to. Including local keywords in your blog, About Us page, and other content can help search engines put you in front of users in your local area.
3. Hold a Contest
Website traffic is one of the major indicators of your website quality. The more traffic you receive, the better it looks to search engines.
To drive more traffic, consider hosting a contest that encourages people to visit your website. Not only can the extra traffic improve your rankings, but it also puts your brand in front of more people.
4. Ask for Online Reviews
Online reviews continue to be one of the most powerful sources of marketing. A whopping 84% of people trust online reviews as much as referrals from family or friends.
You can use online reviews to build trust with your audience and drive website traffic. But most importantly, positive online reviews can also build trust with search engines.
Most people will leave a review if you ask, so make it a point to ask your customers for their feedback online.
5. Pay for Local PPC Ads
Pay per click ad campaigns can help you appear in front of people searching for your services, even when you’re organic rankings aren’t high.
Think of local PPC ads as an elevator ride to the top of the page. Ads appear before the first organic result, so even if you’re not on Page One, you’ll still show up when clients search for services like yours.
6. Embrace Social Media
Love it or hate it, social media is here to stay. At least 70% of Americans use one or more social media platforms, and your target customers are likely among them.
If you’re not using social media to connect with customers, you should consider it, especially if your competitors have a strong online presence.
Level Up Your Local Advertising!
Online advertising isn’t just for tapping into national markets. People in your own backyard are using channels like online search and social media to find services near them every day.
And with the right local advertising, you can rest assured you’ll be front and center whenever they need you.
Ready to put the power of local online advertising to work? Contact us today and start getting noticed in your neighborhood!
