Proud of your new business and eager to get it out there to your community? Starting a business is never easy. Each entrepreneurial endeavor comes with its own unique sets of challenges and complexities. Drumming up business at the very beginning is just one of these mountains that must be overcome.
Luckily, there are a variety of tools and resources available to help make this happen. If you want to start off on the right foot and create a strong foundation for your local business to grow and scale from, read on. Below are some of the best tips for drumming up business for your new local company.
Create a Strong Online Presence
First and foremost, you’ll want to create a strong online presence so that local residents will be able to find you digitally. So many people initially find new local businesses to support through the internet, so you want to ensure your business is readily available when they search using relevant terms.
Get your online presence secured with a professional website, Google My Business listing, and social media accounts. Be sure to fill out as much information as you can so potential customers can learn all about what makes you so great.
Use Targeted Ads
Targeted ads are one of the best ways to get in front of the people who matter most. Pay-per-click (PPC) ads are sponsored advertisements where you only pay for the number of clicks the ads get. This increases your website traffic and increases your odds at converting new customers. PPC ad providers like Bluelight can even do this work for you, letting you focus on providing a superior client experience. Regardless of you handle your targeted ads, you’re sure to see your money pay off here. Improve your local SEO rankings
Improve Local SEO
With an online presence to draw in visitors, you’ll want to work on your local SEO (search engine optimization) to improve your rankings on the Google search results page. You can do this by researching the most popular search terms for similar businesses in your area.
For example, if you’re a dog groomer, you might find the terms “Dog Groomer near me” used a lot. By injecting your online content with these critical words, your website is more likely to get pulled up when someone near you is searching with those words.
Encourage Reviews
Reviews mean a lot these days. People trust the honest reviews of past customers. If you have several negative reviews covering your products or services, it won’t bode well for potential new customers. As you begin to surprise and delight your customers, encourage them to leave reviews if they’re happy with the experience you provided. Some businesses even provide an incentive to their customers for leaving a review on their Facebook, Yelp, or Google listing.
Build an Email List
Collecting emails from your current and potential customers should be another one of your top priorities as you embark on this new business venture. Collect their emails through pop-ups on your website, with new member sign-up incentives, and in-person if that’s an option. Then, create an email campaign that will nurture their brand loyalty. Offer fun exclusives like birthday gifts, special sales, and more to sweeten the deal.
New Business Kickoff: Tactics That Help
If you’re preparing to kick off the launch of a new local business, use the tips above to help you get off to a good start. By furnishing a strong online presence, targeting the right people through local SEO and PPC ads, and encouraging brand loyalty and positive reviews, you’re sure to find success soon.
