A digital marketing strategy for a local business can be quite different from that of an online business. Some of the common local marketing concepts are restaurants, designing services, mom and pop shops, etc. If you are running a business with a website targeted at local customers, then the following marketing strategies will help you succeed in your ventures:
Make it mobile friendly
Google has officially started ranking websites lower on its index which is not mobile friendly. This is now part of their search algorithm. Make sure that your website is mobile friendly. Test it on various smartphones and tablets to double check, and don’t take your designer’s words on its face value.
Most people are now searching for products and services on the go and mobile is their frontier to a whole new world. If your website is not mobile friendly, either Google will not list it, or users will not be able to navigate it properly.
Local Search
If people are searching for a restaurant in a particular area, then how are they going to find it if the information is missing on your website? Include your complete address with Google Maps to show directions, pin your location on the map and name it appropriately, mention your complete address and contact details on the contact page and do some local SEO to rank your website in the local search.
Professional Design
A professionally designed websites says a lot about your business and product. It creates a first and lasting impression about not only your company and its products / services, but also about you. Your website should be easy to navigate and fluid to use. It should contain all the relevant information that your customers are generally looking for.
Clear Call to Action
A clear call to action will help your customers understand what they are supposed to do next, and this will reduce your bounce rates considerably. Help your customers navigate your site and its pages and tell them whether they are to call you, message you, or make an appointment with you.
Social Media
Social media has changed the game when it comes to marketing and advertising for both online as well as offline business models. It is important to stay active on various social media properties such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Choosing the right property will depend on your business model, targeted audience and where they hang out and how much resource you have available at your disposal. Don’t just post on these websites randomly, but you need to engage with your prospects and guide them. Once you begin posting, it is necessary that you remain active and consistent otherwise followers can soon lose interest and move elsewhere.
Multimedia
Don’t be boring when you are sharing those recipes and special dishes that are available on your menu, but you should spice it up with some funny pics, videos or even infographics, like explaining the various benefits and advantages of the ingredients that are used in the preparation. Be different and creative instead of boring and all text oriented.
Local Listings
There are a lot of local directories such as Yelp, yellow pages, and others which will help you gain some customers. People often tap these resources when they can’t find what they are looking for on the Internet. Google also lists a lot of local businesses on its search listings.