Shop Local. It’s a great especially for small businesses. A recent Google Trends report indicates “near me or nearby” search terms on the rise and that four out of five searches from mobile devices lead to quick purchases. With those odds, you should say hello to mobile-friendly, local business searches, so YOUR customers will say, “Buy!”
How do you maximize the exposure for your local business? Three essential steps will get your business noticed.
1. Verify business information and claim your business in directory listings
2. Be mobile friendly and use apps and tools to stay visible online
3. Create content with a local flair, get reviews and citations
Have you Googled your business lately or ever? You really should. It will be very educational as it shows you how your business appears to potential customers. Do you have multiple addresses and errors in your business’ NAP, also known as Name, Address, or Phone Number? If you find variations or errors, imagine what a potential customer feels about it. They may end up going “Bye-bye vs. Buy!”
Several online directories feed your business information in other search engines. Tate Design provides you with local directory services to ensure that these sources have correct information about your business. We take the time to get your NAP right to increase awareness of your business within online searches, and maintain accurate local directories to help create a unified view of your business.
Now that your customers know where you are, how to reach you and even when to call, you need to ensure your website is mobile-friendly, that you are using social media tools and apps that keep your business visible online. Google Adwords Location extensions are one way to promote your business locally.
When customers add words like “nearby or near me,” a menu will pop up to highlight local businesses. Tate Design has experience with ensuring your business becomes mobile-friendly and maximizes visibility online. We have also reviewed how to be mobile-friendly in previous posts. We can help you resolve from the simple to complex issues with your online presence.
After “mobilizing and maximizing” your business online and emphasizing your location, it’s time to build more trust for your products, services and your business overall. Some of the best ways include customer reviews, recommendations and local citations or news about your business. Trust builds long-term relationships and improves the likelihood that a customer will do business with you.
Seeing reviews for your business or finding that your business has been involved with local charities, chambers of commerce or other noteworthy organizations is effective in promoting trust and reliability. Online searches can feel very impersonal. The businesses that win over customers, are ones that break through and create that very personal “hello to buy” relationship over time. Being findable, mobile-friendly and recommended by others increases your “Buy-ing” power.
