You’re sipping a hot cup of coffee in a cosy café in your city. The smell of freshly baked pastries fills the air and you can’t help but smile at the lively chatter of your customers. But there’s a nagging thought at the back of your mind: people peek in, stay for a moment, then poof! They’re gone without buying anything. How do you stand out in a city full of competition?
Many local businesses face this challenge, trying to attract local customers and turn curious passers-by into loyal fans.
Good news: the solution might be simpler than you think. In the digital age, local SEO and social media are your best friends.
In this blog, we’ll dive into local SEO tips and social media for local business. We’ll explore practical strategies to increase local sales and get your business buzzing, whether you’re in Mumbai, Surat, Rajkot, Bangalore, or even New Jersey.
Table of Contents
- What is a Local Marketing Strategy
- Tips for Local SEO
- Set up a free Google business listing
- Utilise local structured data markup
- Optimise website for local keywords
- Create high quality local content
- Build local citations and backlinks
- Website optimised for mobile & voice search
- Tips for Social Media Marketing
- Tagging your location
- Use location specific hashtags
- Attend in person networking events
- Connect with other local businesses
- Collaborate with local influencers
- Run contests and promotions
- In Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Local Marketing Strategy
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s lay the groundwork. A local marketing strategy is all about promoting your business to the people in your immediate area. Think of it like this: there are almost four grocery stores in your locality, but there’s that one store where everyone shops, including you and your family. The reasons can be anything, but local marketing strategy is exactly that – becoming the neighbourhood favourite, the go-to spot for whatever you offer. Since local marketing focuses on the customers who live in the same locality as your business, it is also called neighbourhood marketing or local store marketing.
Whether you are running a quaint bookstore in Rajkot or a trendy digital marketing agency in Mumbai, local marketing is your ticket to attracting the locals.
The two best ways to attract local customers are Local SEO and social media marketing. Let’s understand tips for both strategies in detail.
Tips for Local SEO
Local SEO, or search engine optimisation, is like the magical formula that helps your business appear in online searches. Let’s break down some SEO tips for local businesses that can work wonders for you.
1. Set up a Free Google Business Listing
First, if you still need to get a Google Business Profile (previously known as GMB), you’re missing out big time. It’s free and easy to set up. All you need to do is enter your basic business details, and you’re all set to appear in search engine results. When someone searches for services like yours, your business will pop up, complete with your address, hours, and customer reviews.
2. Utilise Local Structured Data Markup
This might sound a little technical, but it’s super helpful. Local structured data markup is code you add to your website to help search engines understand your business better. Think of it as extra information you provide to search engines, helping them understand your business better. This can be anything from your price range to customer reviews. In this way, you are leaving a trail of hints for Google to find you. This can significantly boost your chances of appearing in local searches.
3. Optimise Website for Local Keywords
Keywords are the words people type into search engines. Let’s say you are a digital marketing agency in Bangalore, you would want to use phrases like “best digital marketing company in Bangalore” on your site. Do a bit of research, find out what your potential customers are searching for and sprinkle those keywords throughout your website content.
4. Create high-quality local content
There is no doubt that content is king, but not just any content will do. It needs to be high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your local audience. For example, if you are a business selling imitation jewellery and you are talking about the stock market or diamond and gold jewellery, it’s of no use; customers won’t be able to connect with your business. Instead, you could create content such as blogs on how imitation jewellery originated, the types of materials used in imitation jewellery and how to differentiate between real and imitation jewellery. You could also share content about local events related to imitation jewellery, news or even success stories of your customers. The more you connect with your community, the more they will feel a bond with your business.
5. Build Local Citations and Backlinks
Citations are online mentions of your business and backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Both are important for local SEO. Get listed in local directories and collaborate with local influencers or bloggers or news sites to get those valuable backlinks. The more your business is mentioned and linked, the more trustworthy you appear to search engines.
6. Website Optimised for Mobile & Voice Search
More people are using their phones to search for local businesses, so your website needs to be mobile-friendly and fast-loading. If your site is slow or doesn’t display well on mobile, potential customers will go elsewhere. For example, if you run a digital marketing agency in New Jersey, your mobile site should prominently showcase services, client testimonials and contact information without hassle.
With the rise of smart assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search for local businesses is becoming more common. Users might say, “Find a nearby bakery” or “Best digital marketing agency in Surat.” Optimise for voice search by using conversational and question-based keywords. Include natural language phrases and long-tail keywords, such as “What’s the best digital marketing agency in Mumbai?” or “Top digital marketing services near me.” Additionally, create a dedicated FAQ page to address common customer questions.
Tips for Social Media Marketing
Now, let’s chat about social media for local businesses. Social media has become a fantastic medium for connections. Initially, it was all about building personal connections, but in the last few years, it has proven to be a great tool for businesses to connect with their local audience and create buzz around their brand.
Here are a few tips for doing social media marketing for your local business:
1. Tagging your location
Whenever you post on social media, tag your location. This makes it easier for local customers to find you. Whether you are sharing a new product, a behind-the-scenes video or a happy customer photo, a location tag puts you on the map – literally!
2. Use location-specific hashtags
Use location-specific hashtags to reach people in your area. For instance, if you own an Italian cafe in Surat you might use #ItalianCafeSurat or #SuratItaliancafe This helps local users find your posts and engage with your content.
3. Attend In-Person Networking Events
Networking is not just limited to LinkedIn. Get out there and attend local events. This is a fantastic way to meet other business owners and potential customers. Plus, it’s great content for your social media – snap some pics, tag the event, and show your community involvement.
4. Connect with Other Local Businesses
Forming partnerships with other local businesses can be a game-changer. Cross-promote each other on social media, collaborate on events or offer joint discounts. This not only broadens your reach but also strengthens your ties within the local community.
5. Collaborate with local influencers
Influencers aren’t just for global brands. Find local influencers who resonate with your target audience and collaborate with them. Their endorsement can introduce your business to a wider, yet still local, audience.
6. Run Contests and Promotions
Run local-specific campaigns that encourage people to engage with your brand. This could be anything from a photo contest to a special discount for local customers. It’s a fun way to boost engagement and attract new customers.
In Conclusion
Growing your local customer base isn’t that hard, but it does require a bit of strategy and effort. By combining local SEO tips with social media for local business strategies, you can make your business the talk of the town. And if you ever feel overwhelmed, remember there’s always a digital marketing company out there ready to help you out. Contact us at hello@florafountain.com and our team of experts will help you build and grow your local presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
The founder and partner of Flora Fountain, Shefali leads the Content and Technology divisions. A one-time engineer who started her career writing front-end code, she took a detour sometime during her 9 years in New York, studied journalism and started writing prose, poetry and sometimes jokes. She now has 15...
