Usually the challenge with local small business websites is obtaining targeted traffic to their online profile. A website is a powerful business tool and if used and optimized correctly, can generate sales and leads.
Why do you want a simple online brochure of your company when your website can do so much more? More and more businesses are realising this and the days are over by just having a simple about us and contact page on your website.
Your website can produce a high ROI (return on investment) but to achieve that goal and if you are a small business, there are ways that you can accomplish that.
Find below a couple of steps you can do to drive local targeted traffic to your website.
Organic SEO
Optimize your website to be search engine friendly. Use primary keywords mixed in with the city, neighborhood, community and local names it falls in. Include your address and phone number with your area code in your contact page. These are all ways users search for local businesses.
Google local search
Google local listings appear along with a map (for some countries this is not activated yet) at the top of the Google’s search results when people search for local businesses or services. You can add your business listing on Google for free by entering your details on the Google Local Business Center.
Create a Facebook page for your small business and encourage your customer to join your group. You can then reach your customers via your Facebook page and you can advertise your services, specials, etc on this page. Encourage your customers to leave reviews about you on your Facebook page.
Radio advertisements
Place online radio advertisements with a service like TargetSpot. The nice thing about these online radio stations is that you can add geo-tagging to your advertisements.
Local search
Add your business to local search engines and business directories. Most of these websites allows you to advertise with an advertisement for a reasonable monthly fee.
Blogging
Create a blog that deals with the services or products your business specializes in and reference your location on it regularly. The key here is the create local content that is interesting to your targeted customer and that uses community, local town names in their searches. A blog can also be a powerful business influencer to establish yourself as the expert in your field. This can also help your business becoming more visible online.
Google Adwords
Use Google adwords and insert keywords with city and/or state added to the beginning or end. Use the state or city terms prominently in the ad to get a higher click thru rate.
All these steps falls under the internet marketing umbrella for your website to increase your visibility local and international. If you have any questions regarding the steps explained in this post or if you would like more information to make your website more visible locally, leave a comment below.