How Can I Promote My Local Business?

In order to make it as a local business, you must be able to adapt to today’s marketing trends. If you are not happy with your sales, then maybe it’s time you step it up and change your marketing strategy. Even if your business is doing well right now you need to prioritize your marketing to stay ahead of the competition. By analyzing the latest marketing trends you will even be able to earn more money from your existing customers. About one-third of small businesses make it past the 10-year mark and if you want to be a part of that statistic then you must get to work. Below, I have listed some of the best marketing techniques that can help you move past your competition as a local business.

1. Use Google’s free listing

With the rise of the Internet, the majority of people search online for local businesses. Having positive online reviews will tremendously impact how much people can trust your business, and it is a feature that you should take advantage of. Google is the biggest search engine out there, that is why you should start there.

Listing your business on Google helps local consumers find you when they search for related terms and manage your profile. Your profile will include things like your address, phone number, working hours, directions and a link to your website. Photos can be added as well to give the consumers a better understanding of your business.

2. Local SEO

Search engine optimization is the process of optimizing your website to rank higher in Google’s search results. As a local business, SEO should be one of your priorities. Google considers factors like proximity, showing users nearby businesses whenever they search for a product or service. Local results appear in 2 forms, snack pack results and organic results.

The boxed area at the top of local search results, called the Google Snack Pack, displays the top three businesses. Team-X, experts in Local SEO services in Sydney, report that about one-third of clicks go to Snack Pack results, while 40% go to organic listings. Since most users search on their phones, it’s crucial to ensure your website is fully optimized for mobile.

3. Marketing in your neighbourhood and real life

Another old-school but effective way of marketing is through word of mouth. Also, make sure they write about you in your community newsletter. Flyers can be placed in your neighbourhood, so everyone knows about your business. That first handful of people that find out about your business can bring you many more customers through recommendations. Consider advertising options like billboards and banners, they might cost you a bit but they can be effective in introducing your business to the people.

4. Social Media

You can learn a lot from social media profiles, including your business appearance, hours, services, products offered, and other key details.
At a time that social media platforms have become a big part of our lives, it is crucial to have an active presence on these platforms. Not only this way more people will see you, but you will also be able to engage and share content with your consumers and followers.

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are perfect for anyone starting their business journey as they have a huge number of daily users. Plus they offer great and affordable advertising options that can help you target and reach a specific audience based on a number of parameters(keywords, demographics, location).

5. Discounts

Good prices always attract people. As a local business owner, you should recognize this and adjust your prices so that they make sense in the market you’re in. If you are a new business consider lowering your prices to attract more customers, but if you feel like it lowers the value of your brand then increase your base prices and offer a discount. The thought of a discount is always attractive and has a positive psychological effect on consumers because it makes them feel like they have gotten a deal.

If you are selling online, you can offer a discount code as businesses that have an active discount code are 8 times more likely to make a sale. You can also make your discounts more special by offering them on public holidays and special occasions such as New Year’s holiday, Halloween, Black Friday, etc.