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10 Best Ways to Get Local Customers - [Guide]


10 best ways to gain local customers - guide - siembra nyc
10 best ways to gain local customers - guide

According to Fundera, about 99% of employers operate local businesses in the U.S. Small-medium businesses in the U.S provide employment opportunities to over 58.9 million

people. About 25% of local companies in the U.S close their doors due to fewer local

customers, leading to decreased sales and declined return on investments (R.O.I.s).


The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has hit hard local businesses in the U.S because many consumers opt for online shopping.


Research shows that over 50% of local businesses closed worldwide due to decreased sales. That's why local businesses need to employ effective strategies to get customers, increase sales, and survive during the pandemic.


A recent report highlights that over 82% of consumers say they would support local businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic by purchasing their products or services.


According to Small Biz Trends, about 5% of consumers purchased products from local

companies in 2020, which is not a good sign for local companies.


Knowing your customers is crucial for your business endeavor. When you understand your customers' needs, you can produce a better product-market fit and attract more local customers, leading to trust, increased sales, and boosted R.O.I.s.


The question now becomes: how do you get more local customers?


In today's article, we will give ten practical ways every business can bring in new local customers.



1. Customer service is #1


happy customers in coffee shop


Customer service is essential to your local business. Not only does reliable customer service retains your existing customers, but it also attracts potential buyers, allowing for more leads, conversions, and sales.


When you provide excellent customer service, you can recoup your customer acquisition

costs and improve your business following. Remember, customer service is a top-notch

way to retain customers, encouraging them to do word-of-mouth marketing for your local business or company.


Research shows that over 73% of customers stay loyal to businesses because of the

excellent customer service. Besides, when your customers are satisfied and happy, they

will spread positivity about your band to family, friends, and coworkers. That way, you can

attract more local customers.


A recent report on customer experience states that 72% of customers share a positive

brand experience with their family members and friends when they are happier with the

customer service.


Here are a few practical ways to improve your customer service:

  •  Define your local business mission

  •  Develop S.M.A.R.T goals and objectives

  •  Implement strategies to get feedback from your customers

  •  Employ tools to respond quickly to your customers (use social media)

  •  Provide education and valuable content to your customers via blogs/social media

  •  Create a referral program and offer incentives to your local customers

  •  Provide training to your front-line staff



2. Have a Great Offer


what is a good offer?
Example of a good offer

Everyone likes free stuff and offers. When you provide free products to consumers, they will know more about your brand, and you can show them your products' quality, leading to boosted loyalty and future customers' acquisition.


For instance, when you start a new restaurant in your local area, you want something

compelling to kick start your business. In that case, you can offer free burgers or wine to

the first 60 people who will visit your restaurant.


After eating the burger or drinking the wine, people will return to your restaurant or bar if

they found it delicious, tastier, and fresh than other restaurants in your locality. As a result,

these people will share this fantastic experience with their family members, friends, and

colleagues' in-person and on social media, allowing you to get more local customers.


Moreover, you can also create discounts and deals to attract customers to your local business. It is an excellent and cost-effective way to drive more customers to your business.


Everyone gets excited when they see a 50% discount on their favorite products or services. As a result, they won't resist purchasing your products.



3. Verify your business on Yelp & Google


Yelp is a popular online business review platform that enables local customers to connect with businesses. When you claim and verify your business on Yelp, it helps you respond to customers' reviews quickly and solve their problems.


Similarly, Yelp has over 130 million visitors every month, meaning when you update your

business information on the platform, more and more people will know about your

business. According to Marketing Charts, about 44% of Yelp users visit a local company,

business, or shop after viewing their page on the platform.


Not only is Yelp an excellent platform for local businesses, but it also streamlines searches

across Google, Yahoo, and other search engines with local business listings and reviews.

Therefore, it is crucial to verify your business on Yelp.


According to Chat Meter's research study, 46% of users use Google for local searches to

find products and services. Bear in mind that people who perform local intent searches are

more likely to purchase products, leading to increased conversion rates for local

businesses.


Because Google is the most popular search engine with over one billion active users, you

must verify and edit your local business listing in Google. Besides, Google offers "Google

My Business," a sophisticated platform for local businesses to update their info and enables

local customers to search for the information they need effectively, conveniently, and

quickly.



4. Give back to those who give you


small business owner in charity event


Giving back to your community is an excellent way to support people who helped your

business. Although nonprofit organizations and volunteer groups make substantial efforts

to invest in local communities, you must also do the same to streamline your business

operations.


That way, you can promote your business and let your potential customers know about

your products or services. Besides, when you give enough to your local community, you

will use the charitable deduction on the income tax.


Therefore, it is wise to attend and support charity events in your local community to

increase your network. Not only does this helps you attract more customers, but you will

also meet other business owners and build relationships.


Here are a few ways to give back to those who give you:


  •  Sponsor a sports team of young individuals

  •  Decorate the town at Holidays, Christmas, Easter, etc.

  •  Make arrangements for a local function or donate a delivery vehicle

  •  Offer your services at a local event without charging money

  •  Donate to a blood bank and food distribution companies

  •  Sell tickets for a charitable event at your local area

  •  Donate a portion of your business sales to a local church


5. Create Valuable Content Writing Blogs


Content marketing is a sophisticated method to know about your customers and provide them with compelling and relevant information about your products or service. The

purpose is to grow your business by streamlining your funnel and increasing your sales.


Blogging is a core component of your overall digital marketing strategy. According to Bill

Gates, content is king! It means well-produced, compelling, and engaging content makes

a positive impression on your potential customers.


Bear in mind that a minor reader today can be the best customer tomorrow. Therefore, it

is crucial to create a significant impact on your potential customers through engaging

content. According to Hubspot, about 40% of businesses in the U.S use blogs for marketing

their products and services. Local B2C companies get 88% more leads per month with

blogging.



Here are a few tips on how to create effective blogs:



Frequency Matters


The frequency of publishing articles on your local business website matters a lot.

Businesses that post 15-20 blog posts per month drive 2x more traffic than companies that

publish 4-5 blogs per month.


The Keyword Post


Choosing the right keywords is essential for your blog. Make sure you select keywords that

perfectly align with your local business, products, or services. What is the most important

keyword that you have not used yet? Take that keyword and write a compelling article

about it. Blogging is an excellent way to drive organic traffic from Google and other search

engines, meaning you should take advantage of it.


Optimize Your Posts


If you want to drive more traffic through Google, you need to optimize your blog posts. For

instance, you will have to use keywords in the titles, Meta description, content, alt-tags,

H2/H3/H4 headings to ensure search engines recognize the content and rank your articles.


Solve Problems


Analyze the most significant problems your existing customers face. Write a detailed, in-

depth, and solution-based blog post to provide your customers with practical information.


Remember, solving your local customers' problems with content retain trust and loyalty.


Earn People's Trust


According to Hubspot, about 71% of customers say that blog posts and social media

significantly affect their buying decisions. Use your blog to showcase your expertise on a


specific subject to build thought leadership. We recommend injecting your knowledge of

the business niche into your articles, leading to a clear difference between your company

and local competitors.


Focus on Call-to-Actions (C.T.A.s)


Place call-to-actions (C.T.A.s) within each blog post, particularly at the beginning, middle,

or end of the post. Make sure you create contextual C.T.A.s by hyperlinking keywords to

your products or services.



6. Loyalty Program- Reward Your Customers


loyalty program small business

Does a loyalty program work? The answer is, "Yes." Customers will continue to return to your business when you gift them for their loyalty. Your local customers will remain loyal if you offer rewarding or creative ways to garner their visits.


A satisfied customer always patron your business and serve as your brand ambassadors. After they show commitment to your loyalty program and analyze its benefits, they will spread the word and let their friends, family, and colleagues know about your business.


Here are a few examples of loyalty programs:


Hair Salon: Do your customers love professional hairstyling? If yes,

reward them with a free haircut after five visits.


Nail Salon: Offer one free nail service, such as manicure or pedicure, on

the 7th visit to your salon


Eye Clinic: Reward your local customers with 40% off sunglasses or R.X.

glasses


Skincare Clinic: 15% off on any skincare treatment on their 5th visit