Get More Local Customers for Your Business January 3, 2018 SEO If you are a business owner who is looking for ways to get more local customers, then you might be wondering how you can do so affordably, and in a way that produces high returns while still leaving you with the time (and energy) to manage the everyday demands that come with operating your business. What most business owners don’t realize is that the local customers are out there and ready to patronize your business! All you have to do is make your business available to them. First, let’s talk about how those potential customers are searching. It is important to understand this before moving forward towards finding out how to attract these customers. The numbers don’t lie, the amount of online searches preceding either an online sale of a product or a visit to a local business are growing every day. People want to know who you are and what your business both offers and represents before they even step foot through your door. They aren’t just looking for business phone numbers and addresses (though having that information easily searchable is important), they are reading reviews and gathering information on you and your competitors before they make the decision to purchase or visit. So, how do you get them to where you want them to be? Let’s outline two different approaches. Get More Local Customers….the hard way There are many, many time tested ways to attract local customers. One of the most notorious is that of the mailed flyer or the printed brochure. Certainly, these methods do attract customers, or, at the very least, they get your name out there, but will these methods prove to be an acceptable return for the exorbitant cost of printing and mailing? Do these methods still hold up when you think about the amount of “junk” mail that ends up in the trash? Luckily, there is an easier, more affordable way! The Easier Way to Get More Local Customers Since these customers are searching first and driving later, then the most important thing you can do is get your business to show up, bright and shiny, at (or near) the top of the search results page when customers first enter their related searches into the search engine. You also want your business listed in Google maps, so that customers know how to find you. So how do you do that? Well, there are quite a few factors that go into this process. Most are intricate and detailed, and require a lot of behind-the-scenes knowledge, but one immediate action that you can take as a business owner to improve your ranking in search engine results is to make sure that you have a well-established and robust Google My Business account. This is certainly one of the most important factors in attracting local customers in your area. Don’t have a Google My Business account? Worry not! Setting up an account is quite easy and the process is straightforward. Attract Valuable Local Customers by Setting Up Your Google My Business Account First, you’ll need to visit the Google My Business page and click Start Now. Then sign into or create the account with which you want to associate your Google My Business account. Now, start by entering your business name. If there is no match, that is no problem. Just continue entering all of your business information including address, phone, and a category for your business. Also, if your business has a website, enter the URL. (Need a website for your business? We can help with that!). If your business has a physical address, make sure that “No” is selected for the “I deliver goods and services to my customers at their location”. Then click Continue. Now, you are ready to verify your business listing with Google. This requires a waiting period while Google mails a post card to your business address via the USPS. This post card will contain a verification code, which you will enter in your Google My Business account. After that verification process is complete, you will now have complete control over how your business appears to customers. Don’t forget to add business images to your account! This goes a long way in not only showing Google that you are a legitimate entity, but it helps customers recognize your business brand. Having a thorough Google My Business account plays a significant role in improving your local search rankings and attracting valuable local customers to your business. Again, it’s important to note that setting up this account is only one of the many factors that determine your rank in search engine results. If you want to take advantage of every option available to your business, then contact the experts at Lloydnet Tech. Our SEO consultants will work with you to build a well-planned SEO strategy specifically designed to increase your exposure online and bring customers to your door.