A local business refers to any business restricted to a particular geographical area. Unlike online stores they have a physical address and are usually referred to as ‘brick and mortar businesses’. For all local business the customers are located in and around the locality of their operations. This territory can be a small place like Somerset or a big state like California. Businesses like hair salons, pizza shops etc are restricted to smaller areas whereas the market-reach of scaffolding manufacturers, small scale manufacturing units and other such industries are over a larger area. Wherever you are located you need local customers to grow.

The traditional marketing methods for your business include word of mouth, brochures, flyers, visiting cards, coupons, direct marketing, local ads and special offers. Though still at large they are not enough to carry you ahead of your competitors. Today competition is so high that to survive you need to spread your word faster among prospective customers, take their feedbacks faster and respond to them faster. Moreover you should be visible to your customers.  In an age where social networks and search engines rule the game it is necessary that you have, at least, a website.

Why go online for promoting your local business?

• Even for a local store people like to know about you before buying from you.
• People like to take appointments, purchase goods and do payments from home.
• Even if people know the name of your business they may not know a number to call you.  Their best option is to search online. But for them to find you online you should be visible in search engines and social media for, atleast, your business name.
• It is easier to let people know about your new products, offers and coupons through social media and search engines than through flyers and news paper ads.
• It is easier for people to give you feedbacks and suggestions online.
• Brand building is much easier and can be done cost effectively.

8 ways to promote your business online:

1. Properly designed website:

Yes, you should have a website. It is the minimum requirement to promote your business online. Your website should be user centric. It should be furnished with your product/service details, pictures and photographs, videos, offers, your bio, your specialty and most importantly your contact details.

2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

Visibility in search engine results for atleast your business name is needed to let people know that you have a website where they can contact, purchase or sent feedbacks and suggestions. Then you should be present for location specified search queries. For example: pizza delivery service somerset, scaffolding manufacturer uk, hair salons in Newyork. This let people to find and contact you easily.

3. Social Media Marketing (SMM):

Communication is everything. “The more you tell, the more you sell”. You need to be in constant touch with people. You can do it either by networking with people in meetings and functions, or it can be done through social media like facebook, twitter and myspace where almost everyone around you spent atleast an hour a day. Here you can stay in touch with your customers, hear what they are talking about you, conduct polls, respond to people’s suggestions and spread word about your newly added product or an offer you just announced. Through social media you can interact with more people on a day to day basis than you can in a network meeting. Build a page/group or profile for your business and make people talk about you.

4. Pay Per Click Advertising:

PPC ads let you display your ads in Search engine results and related websites. You pay only when people click on your ads and reach your website. PPC Campaigns give you instant results. This is very suitable for a new website which is still not visible in search engines. Conducting PPC Campaigns also helps to get better keywords to be used during SEO.

5. Yellow Pages:

Getting listed in yellow pages gives people more opportunity to find you. These local business listings usually appear in search engines for location specific search results, so chances are high that you get visited by a customer.

6. Google places listings:

This allows you to get marked on Google maps and get listed in location specific search queries. This lets people to find your store/office location easily and gives you credibility.

7. B2B Market Places:

This is very suitable for materials and manufacturing businesses. You can list your products here so that people can find and buy from you easily. You can furnish details of your products along with your contact details and website address. It is highly likely that some of the users search these websites to find a local provider and choose you.

8. Targeted direct e-mails:

You can send direct customized e-mails to your customers to update them about your business. You can also use this to communicate with prospective customers. Make sure that your e-mails are customized to make them catchy, entertaining and at the same time they deliver valuable messages.

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