8 Ways To Attract More People To Your Local Business
Whether you’re starting a new business or you’re trying to grow an existing one, getting people through the door can feel like an ongoing challenge. From the high street to online, customers have a lot of choice, so how do you make sure they choose your business over others?
The good news is that you don’t need a huge budget or marketing expertise to make an impact in your area. With the right strategy, you can reach more people and help build trust that will see you become a much-loved part of the community.
If you run a café, a hair salon, or other independent business, learn how you can attract more people in your local area with these 8 achievable steps.
Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons
1. Refresh your shopfront
Looks aren’t everything, but they certainly matter when it comes to business! If you want your business to stand out on your local high street, then your shopfront matters. An attractive, welcoming space can catch someone’s eye and give them an excuse to check you out.
From updating your signage to creating a dazzling window display, there are some simple changes you can make to help your space stand out and hopefully get people through the door.
2. Grow your online presence
Even offline businesses can benefit from a boosted online presence. People turn to the internet when they’re looking for a specific business or a recommendation, so having a web presence can give your business greater visibility. Start by working with a web designer who understands your business’s needs and can help you create the right site. An experienced designer will factor in things like local SEO (search engine optimisation), helping your website to appear at the top of the list if people are looking for you on Google, via their voice assistant and even through social media.
Your website should provide all of the information people need about your business to encourage them to pay a visit or make a booking. Update your site regularly to keep it fresh ensure people can always access the latest information.
3. Use social media to show what makes your business unique
Social media isn’t just for global brands; it’s a fantastic way for local businesses to make a splash too. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok want their users to access content that is relevant to them, which is why locally-focused content can become really successful.
Even if you haven’t got any experience with social media marketing, it’s easy to get started. Setting up a profile and creating content can be one of the most enjoyable parts of promoting your business, especially if you jump on trends or experiment with different video styles. Post consistently and remember to include your location; it can help social platforms push your content to a local audience and get your business noticed by more people.
4. Run promotions that encourage people to walk through the door
People love a sale or a good deal, so why not run a promotion that will encourage people to walk through the door? Whether it’s an introductory offer or a seasonal deal, you can try different types of promotions to see what resonates with your customers.
Identifying different trends within your business can also help you shape promotions. If you notice your business is quiet on a Wednesday, for example, why not reduce your prices or run a special deal on that day to see if it brings a boost?
5. Create local networks and partnerships
It may seem unlikely, but one of the ways to help grow your local customer base is to partner with other businesses. Partnership marketing can help you take advantage of other businesses’ networks and customer base to introduce them to your own, and vice versa. You’ll likely find that there are some existing business networks in your local area, and if there aren’t, why not start one?
It’s also useful to introduce yourself to other business owners and make that local connection. Spend time getting to know your neighbours and interacting with their businesses - the next time one of their customers needs a recommendation, it could be your name that’s top of their list.
6. Gather reviews
Reviews will help your business in several ways:
They help build trust, as people want to hear about real experiences.
They will help boost your online visibility.
They’ll highlight your business’s strengths.
Make it easy for people to leave reviews of your business. You could send them a direct link, encourage reviews on a mailing list and even share a QR code within your business. By earning good customer reviews, you can boost your business’s reputation and help get more people through the door.
7. Host events that will bring people in
Why should your business host an event? Why not! Events are a great way to introduce people to your business, or encourage them to come back again and again. If you have the space, you can get creative with the types of events you host, including workshops, talks and themed nights. You can partner with other businesses to really add some value to your events, creating opportunities to engage with others, while ensuring your business becomes a key part of your community.
Use social media and event listings sites to help promote your events, in addition to more traditional marketing methods like flyers.
8. Reward customer loyalty
While attracting new customers is important, it’s equally important to ensure the existing ones keep coming back. A simple loyalty scheme, like a stamp card, can help provide customers with a simple discount or free service, helping them feel valued for their repeat business.
Growing a local business isn’t about having a big budget or a complicated strategy, it’s about being consistent, building connections and understanding the value you can offer customers. Whether you’re just starting or you want to bring some new faces to your business, the tips above can help you raise your profile within your community and bring people through the door.
