5 Easy Steps to Successfully Advertise Your Business Locally

The goal behind a local marketing strategy is to use your budget more efficiently. If you are a local business and fail to get traction with your local audience, your expenses are essentially wasted as you’re missing out on a number of customers who might patronize your business.

To help you boost your presence in your community, Sam Richards, Marketing Manager at Gazeboshop, has outlined five easy, free steps that can immediately improve your local marketing strategy.

Targeting your local community online

Some 46% of all searches on Google are looking for local information and businesses. From your website, Google business listings to your social media, there are dozens of ways to target your local community online.

1. Localize and optimize your website

Website optimization is key to driving traffic, but is your website optimized for local users? Statistics show that mobile accounts for approximately half of web traffic worldwide, therefore along with your SEO best practices, such as keyword research, your website should also offer a top-notch mobile experience. This should include streamlined content, large text and buttons - all key elements of a successful website.

Additionally, it is key to localize your website. Determine any keywords and phrases that local users might be searching for and how your website can optimize these. The more you then optimize your website for local search, the more likely local visitors will land on your page.

2. Verify your Google My Business listing

Possibly the easiest step and most effective strategy which you can employ immediately is creating a Google My Business (GMB) listing. The listing can place your business directly in front of local customers whenever they need it most.

A GMB provides users with information like your location, opening hours, business description and FAQs, which enables you to really show off what your business has to offer. You can also couple this with Google Reviews which will build trust with your target audience. Take the time to engage with the reviews and they could result in a goldmine of free customer-generated advertising.

3. Set up local landing pages for all your business locations

If your business has multiple locations, you should create individual landing pages for each location on your website.

Providing clear information about each location, including specific opening times, location and directions on how to get there can help your business stand out for local searches. You should also include specific content about your business in that area, including local keywords to help signal search engines to the correct pages. 

Targeting your local community offline

Digital marketing is a hugely important part of your marketing strategy. However, building a real-world bridge between your audience and business is hugely beneficial. These steps can help you build trust and loyalty within your local community.

4. Host or sponsor local community events or sports teams

By giving back to your community through sponsoring a local event, sports team, group or society you can create positive associations between your brand and the community as it shows that you’re taking the time to invest and be present within the community.

Not only will you increase brand visibility, but it is a great way to land local press coverage which will increase your opportunity to gain trust and respect within the community and provide some great content for your social channels. 

5. Be creative with your signage

By ensuring your brand logo and name is visible to the local community, you can grab your audience’s attention, inspire their interest and convert them into loyal customers.

Personalize your signage to the area by referencing local sports teams, locations, mascots and more. Consumers want to feel close to the purchases they make, and there’s no better way to do this than by providing something unique.