created by Emma Pawling /
Marketing Delivery Manager
Local businesses need to adapt and evolve to stay relevant. Whether you’re a restaurant, retail store, or any other local enterprise, your digital marketing approach needs to cater to the current trends and technologies. Here is a helpful guide help you navigate the local digital marketing scene:
Prioritise Mobile Optimisation
With the majority of searches now conducted on mobile devices, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is non-negotiable. A mobile-optimised site not only offers a better user experience but also ranks higher in search results, especially after Google’s mobile-first indexing update.
Local SEO is Key
To attract local customers, integrate location-specific keywords into your content, such as “Italian restaurant in Bournemouth” or “hair salon in Southampton.” While it’s essential to include these terms naturally, avoid keyword stuffing, which can deter visitors and negatively impact your search engine optimisation.
Have a clean, professional design
First impressions matter. Your website often serves as the initial touchpoint for potential customers. Ensure it’s visually appealing, user-friendly, and updated with the latest design trends.
Highlight Essential Information
Customers frequently search for a business’s location and operating hours. Display this information prominently on your site, ensuring it’s accurate and easy to find.
Have clear contact methods
Offer multiple ways for customers to reach out. Whether it’s through a prominently displayed phone number, an easily accessible email address, or direct links to your social media profiles, ensure communication is seamless. Consider integrating chatbots or live chat features for real-time interactions.
Engage on Social Media
Social media can be a great tool for targeting potential customers online but only if you post regularly and your updates are relevant and useful to your audience. Be sure to include photos and videos in your posts too as these increase user engagement. To increase your audience, you can use the locally targeted advertising tools on facebook for example to target customers in your local area, and you can profile them by age, sex, interests etc.
Monitor and Respond to Online Reviews
Online reviews can make or break a local business. Regularly check platforms like Yelp, Google My Business, and Facebook for feedback. Positive comments can be shared via social media and it’s often good to accept constructive criticism and the odd negative review as it could help to highlight areas of your business that may need review and improvement.
Measure your marketing efforts
Digital marketing is not a “set it and forget it” endeavour. Regularly assess your strategies using analytics tools to determine what’s effective and what needs tweaking. This iterative process ensures you’re always ahead of the curve.
Stay Updated with Digital Trends
The digital landscape is ever-evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends, tools, and technologies to ensure your local digital marketing strategies remain effective and relevant.
If you’re seeking expert guidance on refining your digital marketing approach, our team at b4b is here to help. Simply contact us on 01202 684400 to find out more.
